Goals, flares and handbags — the weekend’s National Premier League clash in Shepparton had it all.
With Green Gully and Melbourne Victory contesting a league fixture in town on Saturday, the neutral greens of McEwen Reserve were more like a battleground as the two metro powerhouses duked it out in front of loyal travelling fans and curious locals alike.
Gully had the first laugh as Kasper Hallam headed home from Josh Hope’s corner in the 37th minute, leading the side in green into the sheds 1-0 up at half-time.
However, this match had most of the fireworks — in the literal sense — saved for the second half.
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Green Gully's Joshua Hope swings one in from a corner. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 2 of 8
Melbourne Victory's John Radimisis drives the ball out from the back line. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 3 of 8
Green Gully's Jalil Regague skips forward with green space ahead of him. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 4 of 8
Melbourne Victory's Nikolas Cevizovic thinks about the long diagonal option. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 5 of 8
Green Gully's Joshua Hope revs up after the ball finds the back of the net. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 6 of 8
Melbourne Victory's Raymond Diho was industrious down the right hand side. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 7 of 8
Melbourne Victory players set up to defend a Green Gully corner. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 8 of 8
A hearty group of fans from the North Terrance occupied a spot behind the Green Gully goal. Photo by Rechelle ZammitVictory’s Tommaso Minutoli levelled the pegging with a well taken header in the 75th minute, spurring on the Navy Blues’ support group, the North Terrace, to spark up the pyrotechnics and get their end bouncing.
Unfortunately for them, the elation lasted all of half a minute.
No less than 20 seconds after the restart, Gully surged down the wing and restored the lead as Hope’s cross was met by Aamir Abdallah, whose shot was saved before Hallam gobbled up the crumbs for his second of the match.
The drama escalated five minutes after as Minutoli’s cynical challenge on Cobram-raised Gianluca Iannucci resulted in a red card, scaling up the emotion tenfold.
But with neither side affecting the score sheet late, Gully eventually held on for a 2-1 victory and walked off McEwen Reserve victorious.