An extra-time winner from Liam Nash has enabled Shepparton South to advance to consecutive Bendigo Amateur Soccer League grand finals in thrilling fashion on Sunday afternoon.
Strathdale hosted an exhilarating contest that had the two teams level at 2-2 after 90 minutes, with Epsom’s 26th-minute opener cancelled out with a little more than 10 minutes of regular time to play.
Shepparton South would soon double up on its equaliser as it took the lead two minutes later before being pegged back in the last minute of the regular 90.
It was 61st-minute substitute Nash who proved the hero, finishing truly in the 97th minute to hand his side its second lead of the game, one which it would not relinquish.
Speaking to The News ahead of the game, Shepparton South coach Rob Harmeston identified Nash as the player he wanted a big outing from most.
“(Nash) and Joel Aitken came on and made massive impressions on the game,” Harmeston said.
“Epsom came with a very good game plan and executed well, but the substitutions changed the outcome.”
Harmeston’s faith has paid off in spades, with his squad set for a 2022 grand final rematch against Tatura.
"Tatura won the league and they have been in great form, so we won't take anything for granted and we'll prepare as necessary," Harmeston said.
Tatura’s path through the preliminary finals was slightly more comfortable, accounting for Eaglehawk 2-0 on the enemy turf of Truscott Reserve on Sunday.
“We would have liked to make it more convincing, but we’re happy with (the game) and we deserved to win,” Tatura coach Thomas Corso said.
“I’m glad we got our job done in regular time.’’
Corso maintains his belief that a consistent game plan will see Tatura through to premiership glory again.
“We’ll do what we can do, because you can’t really prepare for finals or do anything different for a grand final,” Corso said.
“Nothing that’s happened in the lead up matters anymore.
“I’m happy to be in the final with them this week.”