ATTACK BEST FORM OF DEFENCE FOR ROAR

19 May 2015

Shepparton News - By Gregor Mactaggart

Adam Gatcum laughed when asked whether the coaching caper was always this easy.

The Englishman knows that four wins from as many outings and a defence that is yet to concede a goal in more than six hours of action rarely happens in the world game.

But that is precisely the situation for Cobram Roar after the FFV Goulburn North East division one heavyweight stretched its winning streak on Sunday with a 5-0 home win over Shepparton United.

Spiro Vourgaslis and Michael Startari completed braces, while import Bill Puckett rounded out a fine game by getting his name on the scoresheet.

The win consolidates top spot on the men’s top-flight ladder for the Roar, which is clearly enjoying its first season as a merged entity.

Gatcum acknowledged that when quizzed about his side’s fourth consecutive win while also keeping a clean sheet.

‘‘The first 10 minutes we were a bit shaky and they did have a goal ruled out for offside,’’ Gatcum said.

‘‘That disallowed

goal gave us the rev up we needed and got going.

‘‘To keep another clean sheet was great for the boys, we defend as a unit fromthe front.’’

Startari broke the deadlock with a goal from the penalty spot just shy of the half-hour before Vourgaslis doubled the advantage in fine style.

Cobram worked a short corner and Gatcum delivered an inch perfect cross for Vourgaslis to head home.

The hosts took that 2-0 lead to the break and went on with the job in the second stanza as the young United side lost its way, picking up four yellow cards and losing Mohammad Hadi Dad to a send-off.

Midfielder Puckett and right winger Andrew Zito featured on a long list of quality players for Cobram, with Omran Al-Hamzah one of the leading players for Shepparton United.

Shepparton South had the bye.

In second division action, Joel Aitken scored four goals as Shepparton South thumped Kyabram Phoenix 8-0, while Tatura defeated Shepparton 3-0 and a Richard Gatcum goal proved the difference as Cobram Roar defeated Shepparton United.