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CVL | Gallery | United moves equal top with thrilling win

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Passing time: Shepparton United’s Pippa Grabham strikes the ball. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Shepparton United’s Central Victorian League One Women’s team was celebrating on Sunday, with the side producing an impressive win over the ladder-leading Strathfieldsaye Colts United.

The 3-2 result was a thrilling one at Shepparton’s McEwen Reserve, with the visitors going a goal up early, before Tara Ambrosini equalised two minutes later.

Clearance: Shepparton United’s Rebekah Lawson kicks the ball out of defence. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

With the scores locked at 1-1 at half-time, things got more exciting in the second half, with a frantic five minutes seeing three goals scored.

Aerial duel: Shepparton United’s Tara Ambrosini and Strathfieldsaye Colts’ Lauren White fight for the ball. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

In the 55th minute Maria Villani put the home side ahead, before the visiting Colts found an equaliser soon after in the 57th.

Eyes on: Shepparton United’s Tara Ambrosini and Strathfieldsaye Colts’ Sara Berry look to win the ball. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Yet, despite the scores being level, United kept pushing and Ambrosini found her second in the 59th minute to see United hit the front.

Shoulder to shoulder: Shepparton United’s Trinity Cameron gets in front of her opponent. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

This was how the score remained, with the Shepparton side running out 3-2 winners.

Goal-scorer: Shepparton United’s Tara Ambrosini kicked two goals on the weekend. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Shepparton United coach Lucy Ciancio said it was a good win for her side.

“It was a really intense game,” Ciancio said.

“Colts and United both came out hungry, we were the ones to come away with a win which was exciting for the girls.”

On the move: Shepparton United’s Maria Villani makes a run. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

The win proves that United can match it with any side on their day and Ciancio said it showed that United had a good chance of playing finals.

“It all comes down to how focused the girls are, how hard they train and how bad they want to win,” she said.

Focus mode: Shepparton United’s Sheridan Fairless prepares to kick the ball. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

The result moves United level on points with Colts and Spring Gully. However, with a less favourable goal difference the side sits in third place.

Foot race: Shepparton United’s Fatima Sharifi runs to the ball. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

In the League Two Women’s competition, Tatura battled out a 1-1 draw with Kyneton District.

The Ibises went a goal down in the first half. However, a second-half Colette Suter strike brought the scores level and that was how it remained.

While the result keeps Kyneton on top of the table, with a game in hand in second place, the Ibises’ destiny remains in their own hands.