Knee surgery sidelines Spencer

 

July 24 2009

Shepparton News

Cobram Victory has the bye this weekend but one player who won't return to the field on Sunday week is young defender Richard Spencer.

Victory's attempts to make the finals started slowly this year, but have gained momentum in recent weeks with wins against Shepparton United and Tatura.

But 18-year-old Spencer will be battling to regain fitness in time to assist Victory's campaign after being ruled out for about six weeks.

The defender recently underwent surgery to remove damaged cartilage from his knee.

Spencer played the full senior season last year under then-coach Gianfranco Impellizzeri as Victory went all the way to the grand final.

Victory shuffled its pack last week to play Chris Startari, Nathan Thomas and Kile Kennedy in defence, the trio succeeding in keeping Tatura out at Howley Oval in a 1-0 win.

"I was extremely happy because they worked well, covered up and maintained shape all the time," Victory coach Simon Randall said of the backline.

"They maintained discipline, didn't go chasing the ball when they didn't need to."

Victory starts this weekend in fourth on 16 points, but will be sweating on other results as it sits out with the bye.

Tatura starts the round on 17 points in third and will look to extend its advantage on Victory by beating Numurkah, while Shepparton United on 15 points will only leap-frog Victory by beating Shepparton due to its -2 goal difference.

Fifth-placed Cobram also has a bye and like Victory has 16 points, its positive five-goal difference trailing Victory by two.