VICTORY GO DOWN IN CLOSE GRAND FINAL
Cobram Victory went into there first ever grand final on Sunday against reigning premier Shepparton at Tatura park in what was built up to be a fierce battle of the two best teams of the season. Cobram Victory was at full strength with the return of Nathan Thomas as Shepparton also pulled out a huge surprise with the return of Coach Andy Ingham from a knee injury. Both teams started off well and went close to getting on the score sheet with Thomas looking dangerous up front and almost gave Victory the lead with a well placed shot that made the keeper pull off the save of the match. Down the other end Shepparton had there fair share of chances too, and thought they had scored when Smith’s shot beat Victory keeper Bufalino but was saved on the line by a sliding Chris Startari. Thomas went close again when his header came back off the cross bar before a Mantovani header was also cleared off the line. Dirramaca was making some great runs down the wing as Bazzano was creating plenty in the middle of the park as the teams were playing end to end soccer and the Victory defence were standing strong against a very experienced Shepp forward line. But just as the sides looked to be going in even at the break Ingham found some space out wide and ran the ball into box cutting the ball back to Vance who turned well and put the ball into the back of the net giving Shepparton a one nil half time lead. Victory’s confidence was down at the break due to that late goal as Gianfranco tried his all to fire the boys up and get them back into the match.
The boys started off strong with Thomas once again going close shooting just over the cross bar before an injured Mantovani was replaced by Marc Startari as they were looking for a way to break down Shepparton’s defence. Shepparton took control of play for a short period and could have easily doubled there score when Ingham found himself one on one with Bufalino only to see his shot end up in the car park before he made a great run down the wing and crossed to Vance who was only a couple meters from goal and seen his close range shot well saved by Bufalino who kept the Victory in the match. The final twenty minutes Victory threw everything at Shepparton when Michael Startari and Haidar Al Saffar were thrown into the match and went extremely close when Santoro made a great run down the wing and cut into the box firing a shot at goals but was once again denied by the keeper. In the dying stages Chris Startari made a great run out of defence and some how found space at the top of the box and looked to have shot on target but his shot missed by a matter of millimetres in what was to be Victory’s last chance of the match as the final whistle was blown breaking the boys hearts. But the boys can keep there heads high as they put up a great battle and gave their all and with a little bit of luck could have easily come away with more, but the loss will only make the boys stronger for next season. Frank Bazzano was awarded the trophy for best on ground but the experienced Shepparton outfit prevailed going back to back.
