Seeing red due to finals venue

September 11 2007

Shepparton News

Shepparton's playing group was seething yesterday at the news it would have to play its North Eastern Soccer League preliminary final against Hanwood in Griffith this weekend.

Despite finishing on top of the ladder at the end of the home and away season, Shepparton will be the away team and travel to Yoogali Leagues Club to take on a Hanwood team which finished third.

The Reds' record in Griffith this season has been two defeats from two with a 5-3 loss to Hanwood and 3-1 loss to Yoogali in the NSW town.

Shepparton defender Wayne Skippen said the side's minor premiership was shown to have counted for nothing by being made to play away in the preliminary final.

"It's a joke to be honest," Skippen said.

"We did finish top of the ladder and if the league wants to encourage finals to be outside Shepparton good luck to them.

"It was going to be a tough game down here, but to travel up there . . . it will take a big regrouping for us if we want to win."

Hanwood had to play away itself to fourthplaced Shepparton United in the first week of the finals, but the venue proved no obstacle as it dominated the game and won 2-0 at Rumbalara.

Griffith-based teams Hanwood and Yoogali have gone to a new level in the first two weeks of the finals, although there were questions over injuries to three Hanwood defenders against United it held a clean sheet, while Yoogali showed no signs of a team that has lost three first XI players to season ending injuries.

The preliminary final calendar will be split between Yoogali Leagues Club in Griffith and Shepparton venue McEwen Reserve.

Under-15s, under17s, reserves and men's seniors all feature either Hanwood or Yoogali and will be played in Griffith starting from 9.30 am.

The under-11s, 13s and senior women clashes will be played at McEwen Reserve starting from noon.