Blues rid of monkey

May 27 2008

Shepparton News

Shepparton United waited eight weeks to win in North Eastern Soccer League this season, but jumped into the top four as it broke through with a 4-2 triumph against Shepparton South on Sunday.

The Blues went winless in their first five games, but now sit in fourth spot on the ladder with 10 points, ahead of Tatura on goal difference and last-placed Cobram by one point.

Roven Shaholli sparked United into action with a sweet strike to reverse an early deficit and send the Blues to the half-time break with the scores 1-1.

A quick pair of goals to James Kalafatis and Chris Ogboke early in the second half put United in control on the scoreboard as the Blues took control of the game.

Brendan Barton was credited with what looked an own goal to bring South back into the contest at 3-2 down before Ari Shahollari made the points safe for United in the latter stages of the second half.

Connor Campbell gave South the lead with a placed long shot on 10 minutes before Shaholli's reply saw United swing the momentum.

The forward scored his third goal of the season with a bullet shot from the right side of the penalty area, the ball flying across the face of goal and into the opposite top corner.

Shaholli scored a longrange effort against Tatura last week as well, saying his coach George Traianidis had given him the nod to shoot from distance.

"I've been in good form the last few weeks and I'm just sticking to the game plan," Shaholli said.

"George has said if I get an opening to have a dip.

"Like a lot of the boys I'm happy that we've got the first win."

In the second half Shaholli cut in a low cross from the byline to James Kalafatis for the goal that put United ahead 2-1, within 10 minutes it was 3-1 when Ogboke finished a physical forward drive by squeezing a shot inside the left post.

Shahollari headed in a Paul Kalafatis corner within minutes of South's second goal to round out the 4-2 win.