Goalkeeper Bowles South over

August 4 2009

Shepparton News

Shepparton has goalkeeper Rebecca Bowles to thank for keeping its top two hopes alive after a 1-0 win against Shepparton South at McEwen Reserve on Sunday.

The Reds jumped to second place on the ladder with the narrow win, on 27 points ahead of third-placed South on 25 and behind ladderleader Shepparton United on 28.

Bowles saved a late penalty from Sophie Findlay to keep the game scoreless before Suzan Tanrikulu's last-minute goal gave Shepparton the points.

South was left deflated after creating the majority of the second half chances and forcing a number of saves from Bowles before a handball sent it to the penalty area.

But Findlay's shot low to Bowles' right was within reach for the goalkeeper to parry away.

Tanrikulu then made South pay at the other end when she ran onto a through ball and finished coolly to net the game's only goal.

"I just waited to see which way she was going," Bowles said.

"I think we deserved a draw, but we just kept playing to win.

"It means the world to win. We got a kick in the bum against Ky (two weeks ago).

"We had to stand up, with the backline we've got, we needed this to get second spot back and we can hopefully hold that."

United did what it needed to keeping hold of top spot on the ladder with a 2-0 win against Numurkah, Leanne Rawson and Danielle Zeqir with the goals.

Cobram did itself, Benalla and Cobram Victory a big favour by keeping the top four race open with a 4-2 win against Tatura.

The Ibises are fourth with 21 points, ahead of Benalla on 19, Victory on 17 and Cobram on 17.

Tania Doyle scored a hat-trick for Cobram and Bianca Dikkenberg the fourth, while Derya Tanrikulu and Rosemary Scrimizzi scored for Tatura.

At Benalla, goals to Aimi Delahaye, Ava Cathcart and Lizzie Mason gave the Rovers a comfortable 3-0 win against Kyabram.