BLUES ARE WRIGHT ON WRONG END OF HIDING

21 Apr 2015

Shepparton News - By Gregor Mactaggart

Shepparton United coach Billy Wright had warned that the upcoming season was going to prove a challenge for his young outfit.

If first impressions are any indication, then the former New Zealand international striker was spot on.

An inexperienced United combination, barely resembling the team that lifted the premiership cup last year, was on the receiving end of a 7-1 scoreline against Tatura at Howley Oval on Sunday.

The Ibises shot to the top of the FFV Goulburn North-East division one ladder by virtue of the heavy win, headlined by a fourgoal virtuoso display from striker Jared Cunniff.

Cunniff made a sterling impression for Tatura, scoring 18 goals in just 11 appearances during his debut season after arriving from Southern Football League club Rugby Town FC and picked up from where he left off.

The ace marksman spared little mercy on the United combination, with at times ruthless efficiency.

David Turkovic capped a fine performance with a brace, while playing coach Ben Shepherd also got on the scoresheet.

Tatura led 3-0 at the half-time break and went on with the job in the second stanza, but there was some joy for United when Fedah Aziz scored what would prove a consolation goal.

Shepparton SC had the bye in round one.

Joel Aitken provided the highlight of the opening round in division two with six goals in Shepparton South’s 9-2 demolition of Cobram Roar.

Aitken, who scored 13 goals in 11 appearances in the competition last year, is nearly halfway to that mark following a memorable match.

South broke the game apart in an actionpacked first-half, leading 7-1 at the main change before the torrent of goals turned into a trickle for the last 45 minutes.

Doubles to Jesse Brun and Carl Trigila steered Shepparton SC to a commanding 5-0 result against Kyabram Phoenix at Mercury Sports Complex.

And Rodrigo Marquina’s goal was the difference as Tatura defeated Shepparton United 1-0.