The Bendigo Amateur Soccer League season kicked off with some fireworks as round one got in the books at the weekend.
The headline act was last to go on, as Shepparton’s McEwen Reserve played host to a 2023 grand final rematch between two sides who already know each other quite well.
After all, Shepparton South and Tatura met seven days prior in the League Cup quarter-finals — an affair that went down to the wire after a comfortable 4-1 South lead quickly became 4-3.
Tatura kept the energy it had maintained through the last 20 minutes of that ill-fated League Cup comeback by leaving South in the dust early Sunday afternoon, finding the back of the net twice inside 10 minutes.
A shell-shocked South side never truly found the groove after that, with new spearhead Stephen Appiah kept goalless and under wraps for the first time since donning the black and white.
In the end, Justin Milic was at the double with Gerald Corbo and Maximo Traverso finding the score sheet as well, as the premier made a commanding statement in their 4-0 win.
Image 1 of 9
Clever flick: Shepparton South's Brent Barassi. Photo by Holly DanielImage 2 of 9
Up they fly: Shepparton South's Joel Aitken. Photo by Holly DanielImage 3 of 9
Get it away: Tatura's Thomas Corso. Photo by Holly DanielImage 4 of 9
Give and go: Shepparton South's Liam Nash. Photo by Holly DanielImage 5 of 9
Keen observers: A sizeable crowd at McEwen Reserve. Photo by Holly DanielImage 6 of 9
Aerial duel: Tatura's Tristan Zito and Shepparton South's Lewis Coyle. Photo by Holly DanielImage 7 of 9
Close control: Tatura's Fraser Gosstray and Shepparton South's Brent Barassi. Photo by Holly DanielImage 8 of 9
Stepping out: Tatura's Fraser Gosstray. Photo by Holly DanielImage 9 of 9
On the left: Shepparton South's Lewis Coyle. Photo by Holly DanielTatura’s Tristan Zito was understandably thrilled to kick the year off on the best possible note.
“I think we were a bit shocked last week (in the cup) with how they caught us off guard, but we fixed a few things up and were happy to get the result,” Zito said.
“It’s a good way to start the year.
“I think we scored in about 25 seconds, so it felt very similar (to the grand final), but we were able to close it out and not let them back in.
“We talked about Stephen Appiah during the week and he’s a very good player, but the boys executed well to shut him down, which was really good to see.
“It’ll be good to be at home next week and hopefully just keep the ball rolling. Epsom is a big one, but that was a massive three points at the weekend and we can look forward now.”
There was plenty of other free-firing offence throughout the top division across opening weekend, with Shepparton United continuing its high-rolling form on a trip west.
United followed up a brilliant 8-1 rout of Epsom in the League Cup quarter-final with a huge 4-0 win over Spring Gully to notch its first three points in fine style.
Caden Meeks is certainly shaping up as a man on a mission early in 2024, having now notched six goals in the past fortnight.
Meeks would bang in a double as part of Eaglehawk’s 5-0 victory over Epsom on Saturday after thumping in four during cup action a week earlier.
There was no joy to be found in Shepparton’s opener at Vibert Reserve on Sunday, though, after a deadlocked first half gave way to an exchange of blows that had Strathdale hit the road as a 2-1 victor.
Meanwhile, in the women’s draw Shepparton South and Tatura were far more evenly matched on Sunday morning than their male counterparts, beginning their season with a 1-1 draw.
Perennial forces Shepparton United encountered an early stumble after falling 2-1 away at Spring Gully, while Strathsfieldsaye Colts made an engaging start with a 4-3 win over Eaglehawk and La Trobe SC accounted for Kyneton District SC 5-2.