It was a weekend of mixed results for the region’s Central Victorian League soccer sides as the season draws to a close.
In the headline game of the weekend, Tatura’s women’s team lost the League Two Cup final in heartbreaking fashion.
The Ibises faced the tricky task of Kyneton District at the Strathfieldsaye Recreation Reserve on Sunday and despite both teams having opportunities, the sides could not be separated.
With scores locked at 0-0 after normal time and extra time, the game went to a penalty shootout, with Kyneton winning 3-2.
Tatura coach Damien Rosella said the tough game gave the Ibises a taste of what finals were all about.
“I thought we stood up well to them,” Rosella said.
“But to lose a game on penalties is probably the worst way to lose a game but that’s just the way sport is.
“At the end of the day we’ve just got to move on, we’ve got two games to go in the league and we’ll be concentrating on this week.
“If we win this week we win the flag.”
Rosella said it was a team effort on the day, with Nicola Minicozzi, Amanda Posteraro and goal-keeper Amelia Rando all performing particularly well.
Meanwhile, in the League One Men’s competition, the race for top spot remains on, with Shepparton South and Tatura securing wins.
South faced an away day to Strathdale on Saturday afternoon with Rob Harmeston’s men coming away with a 4-0 victory.
This game was South’s to lose from the get-go, with Jamie De Smit opening the scoring just three minutes in.
The visiting side doubled its lead half an hour later through Will Keenan, before a second to Craig Carley saw the result sealed.
In Tatura, the Ibises etched closer to an equal goal difference with South, downing Spring Gully 8-2.
Supporters in attendance for the Sunday afternoon encounter were treated to plenty of action early, with Tatura’s Christian Corso having his fifth-minute goal cancelled out by a Gully strike just one minute later.
However, from there on in, the game was all red and white.
Fraser Gosstray put the home side back in front in the 13th minute, with two Zachary Ferlauto finishes, a Gerald Corbo goal and a Tristan Zito hat-trick helping the side to another important win.
Meanwhile at McEwen Reserve, Shepparton United shared the points with Eaglehawk.
The 0-0 result leaves United in danger of dropping out of the top four and with just two regular season games to go, what position the side will finish in remains up in the air.
The Shepparton Jaguars’ Division Two Men’s team and Shepparton United’s Division One Women’s team had a week off.