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Gallery | Goulburn Valley Suns take on Melbourne Victory in an epic night for football in Shepparton

Goulburn Valley Suns and Melbourne Victory engaged in a cracking contest in front of a massive crowd at McEwen Reserve on Saturday night. Photo by Megan Fisher

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.

GV Suns’ Greg Nash flies forward down the left hand side. Photo by Megan Fisher

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.

GV Suns’ Harun Aktas glides onto an oncoming ball. Photo by Megan Fisher

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.

GV Suns’ Laywi Niyonkuru blasts a shot on Victory’s goal. Photo by Megan Fisher

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.

GV Suns’ Brandon Giaccherini jostles with his Victory marker. Photo by Megan Fisher
GV Suns’ Russell Currie shields the ball from a sliding Victory opponent. Photo by Megan Fisher
GV Suns’ Harun Aktas takes a tumble. Photo by Megan Fisher

Shepparton News photographer Megan Fisher roamed the sidelines to capture the match in all of its glory.