On the board at last, Kyabram is keen to make an impact

July 25 2008

Shepparton News

Kyabram is out to rattle some cages in the run home of women's North Eastern Soccer League after taking its first competition point with a 0-0 draw last week.

The Go-Annas shook off the disappointment of 28 straight losses to start their time in the women's league by drawing with Numurkah.

Stand-in coach Frank Scopelliti said his team had created chances to snare the team's first ever win and was hopeful the side could back up its breakthrough performance.

Kyabram is bottom of the table and takes on second-placed Shepparton this weekend, a team it has been able to frustrate both this and last season.

Scopelliti said the Kyabram girls left the park feeling they could have taken victory.

``We had two shots which were really fantastic chances,'' Scopelliti said.

``Kim Kenny had one shot parried by the keeper, and Carina Shaw hit the bar.''

Regular Kyabram coach Shaun Riley will be back on the sidelines this week after missing the Numurkah game.

``We need to win more points to keep getting respect,'' Scopelliti said.

``The team wants to have an influence on the make-up of the top four.

``We match up well against Shepparton and we consider them a long-term benchmark.''

In other round 16 matches, Shepparton United will be looking to continue its winning streak against Cobram, Tatura plays Shepparton South, and Cobram Victory hosts Numurkah.

South must upset Tatura to keep the door even remotely open to either it or Victory making a run at the four.

The Ibises have 25 points in fourth place, eight ahead of Victory and 11 ahead of South; just 18 points are available to all teams in the run home.

United has lost Dana Karolidis to an ankle injury and will be without her services for at least three games.