On the boil Doyle seals berth for Tigers

September 16 2008

Shepparton News

Cobram has Tania Doyle to thank for its first ever berth in a women's North Eastern Soccer League Grand Final after a 2-1 win against Shepparton in the preliminary final on Sunday.

Doyle scored both the Tigers' goals at McEwen Reserve as Cobram held off the challenge of a physical Shepparton team.

Shepparton United watched from the sidelines as the only team to beat it during the home and away season qualified to play against it in the grand final.

Doyle opened the scoring early in the first half when a neat chain of passes between Clorinda Iannucci, Christina Kalz and Angela Hogan played the striker through for a one-on-one with the Shepparton goalkeeper.

Shepparton's Samantha McIntosh put the game back on level terms when her low shot from distance proved too hot to handle.

The Reds enjoyed a period of dominance after the goal, but Cobram's backline led by Bianca Dikkenberg managed to repel the persistent running attacks of Tayler Iorianni and Lauren Pryor.

Doyle then put Cobram back in charge when she was first to a loose ball after a Dikkenberg free kick bounced off a big pack of players in the Shepparton penalty area.

Shepparton's best chance to equalise for a second time fell to Iorianni, but Doyle back-tracked to block the attempt on goal.

Kalz then stung the fingers of Shepparton goalkeeper Rebecca Bowles as Cobram went looking for a third goal to seal the match.

Cobram coach Ron Dikkenberg said his team had been nervous coming into the match, Shepparton being the only team it hadn't defeated previously during the season.

``Our girls worked hard to run to position and make Shepparton run,'' Dikkenberg said.

``Every time the ball comes into the forward line we feel we're a chance to score.''