Sport
Gallery | Goulburn Valley Suns take on Melbourne Victory in an epic night for football in Shepparton
Saturday night’s showcase at McEwen Reserve lived up to the billing, and then some.
Conditions were perfect. The stands were packed. And the football flowed like champagne.
Goulburn Valley Suns may not have won the game against Melbourne Victory in the A-League juggernaut’s pre-season friendly, but the local boys certainly won the hearts of the 1500-plus fans.
The 3-0 scoreline was a fair reflection of the game but the Orangemen did not fall on their sword without slicing through the Victory on a number of occasions.
Socceroos striker Bruno Fornaroli converted Victory’s first 10 minutes into the game after a slick passing move inside the Suns’ box, guiding the ball home with effortless ease on his 37th birthday.
Suns’ striker Russell Currie almost had the crowd erupting with a couple of first half chances as the home side grew in confidence, helped in part by a string of superb saves from goalkeeper Jonathan Pithoulas.
However, Fornaroli’s birthday celebrations weren’t done.
The Uruguay-born sharp shooter finished off a cutback with 10 minutes to play in the opening period, leading Victory into the sheds 2-0 ahead.
After both sides emerged from the sheds, a large personnel change at each end favoured the four-time A-League champions more as substitute Jing Reec bowled through and added Victory’s third late in the piece.
Despite the result, it was a storybook night for football in Shepparton, one which will undoubtedly be fondly remembered for many years to come.
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GV Suns’ Greg Nash flies forward down the left hand side. Photo by Megan FisherImage 2 of 17
GV Suns’ Harun Aktas glides onto an oncoming ball. Photo by Megan FisherImage 3 of 17
GV Suns’ Laywi Niyonkuru blasts a shot on Victory’s goal. Photo by Megan FisherImage 4 of 17
GV Suns’ Brandon Giaccherini jostles with his Victory marker. Photo by Megan FisherImage 5 of 17
GV Suns’ Jack Wardle jockeys his man in the midfield. Photo by Megan FisherImage 6 of 17
GV Suns’ Russell Currie shields the ball from a sliding Victory opponent. Photo by Megan FisherImage 7 of 17
GV Suns’ Harun Aktas takes a tumble while leaping over Victory player. Photo by Megan FisherImage 8 of 17
Lines snaked out through the gates as a bumper crowd showed up for the match. Photo by Megan FisherImage 9 of 17
GV Suns’ Hassan Alhilfi had a dedicated fan base cheering his every touch. Photo by Megan FisherImage 10 of 17
GV Suns’ Liam Kielty slides over the slick surface but cops one to the face. Photo by Megan FisherImage 11 of 17
GV Suns’ Cailyn Trask tussles with Victory’s Reno Piscopo. Photo by Megan FisherImage 12 of 17
GV Suns’ Matthew Lelliott twists and turns in the centre of the park. Photo by Megan FisherImage 13 of 17
GV Suns’ Greg Nash takes the ball off the toe of Victory’s Luka Kolic. Photo by Megan FisherImage 14 of 17
GV Suns’ Callum Schorah was a standout for the Orangemen against Victory. Photo by Megan FisherImage 15 of 17
GV Suns’ Greg Nash is embraced by the coaching staff in his final game for the club. Photo by Megan FisherImage 16 of 17
Melbourne Victory players warming up on an immaculate McEwen Reserve surface.Image 17 of 17
GV Suns’ Jake Rumble and Darcy Pawlik have a chat during the warm up. Photo by Megan FisherNews photographer Megan Fisher roamed the sidelines to capture the match in all of its glory.