A convincing victory was not enough for the Cobram Roar to secure the Albury Wodonga Football Association Men’s Division One league title on the weekend.
The Roar entered their Sunday afternoon away day with a glimmer of hope that the title could be theirs, with the side requiring a win and an Albury United loss to secure top position.
While a 2-0 win to United saw the Albury outfit lift the title, Cobram held up its end of the bargain, defeating the Wodonga Diamonds 4-0.
Goals to Jack Smith, Spiros Vourgaslis, Bill Puckett and Rocky Perri were enough to get the side over the line on the day, with the win continuing Cobram’s solid season of form.
Roar coach Vince Iannucci said it was a team effort on the day.
“We did everything that we could do,” Iannucci said.
“It was a good season all up, we’ve lost two games which is pretty good considering there’s 22 all up so that’s okay.”
With teams throughout the divisions having a fantastic year, Iannucci said he was happy with the position the club is in.
“That’s the main thing,” he said.
Despite failing to finish on top of the ladder, the Roar will now play off in a finals series, with three knockout games set to provide plenty of entertainment.
This weekend Cobram will face off with Melrose at South Albury’s Aloysius Park in a qualifying final, with the winner moving on to the next round.
The next round match-up will be a semi-final at Cobram’s Apex Reserve, before a grand final is held in Lavington on September 10.
— Daniel Webb
Division 2 men
Cobram Roar 0 lost to Wodonga Diamonds 3
In the final regular season game the reserves took on a strong Wodonga Diamonds team away from home with a few of youngsters having been called up for a spot in the seniors. There was a call-up for senior coach Vince Iannucci to make his club playing debut.
Cobram started strong with early chances to Nazz Corso and New Suphun going close before an error at a defensive set piece saw the home team take a 1-0 lead into the break.
In second half the Roar started brightly again with chances being created, again not rewarded for the hard work. The home team took advantage and scored two more quick-fire goals. Young Jordan Kelly continued to make a number of great saves and kept the Cobram team in the game with some spectacular saves.
The reserves will take on Albury City in the quarter-finals.
Division 2 women
Cobram Roar 4 defeated Wodonga Diamonds 0
In our last game of the fixture for the season our ladies had a comfortable 4-0 win. Marlie, Jenna, Laydah and Alyssa all scored goals.
The team should be commended for keeping a clean sheet for 21 rounds straight, and only conceding one goal for the season.
The women take on Boomers next Sunday in the first round of the elimination finals.
Under-14 girls
Cobram Roar 4 defeated Diamonds 1
Roar scored the first goal of the match and held the lead until Diamonds evened the score just before half-time.
Second half saw striker Luana Mete injured with a broken wrist. Sister Alissa Mete stepped into striker position scoring along with Matilda Iddles and Reegan Hawke. A solid defence line and a saved penalty by G K Paige Riedell resulted in Roar walking away with a win 4-1
Goals: L Mete, M Iddles, A Mete, R Hawke
Under-13
Cobram Roar 0 lost to Wodonga Diamonds Red 14
Missing a few key players, Roar still went onto the pitch determined and creating some great play. Unfortunately, they were unable to break Diamonds Red's defences.
This was the last game of the season for the 13s, where there has been some great skills development.
Under-12
Cobram Roar 2 lost to Wodonga Diamonds 6
Cobram under-12s boys arrived at Wodonga ready to face Wodonga Diamonds away from home. The game kicked off and Wodonga got two quick goals to get on the board early. Cobram knew it had work to do. Great work ethic from Jeremy Egan and Will Hutchinson trying to get the boys back in the game. Later in the first half Owen Stubbs kicked a goal to get the boys back in the race. Before the half finished Wodonga grabbed two more goals making it 4-1 at half-time.
The second half started and Cobram got one back from Andre Corso with a fabulous header from a corner. As the game was coming to a close Wodonga ended the game with a 6-2 victory. The Cobram Roar under-12 had an amazing home/away season and will be ready and prepared next week for finals where they will take on Albury Hotspurs.
well done boys.