Tatura's Grainne Egan struck the Ibises’ only goal.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Bryan Nyetam-Mawo and Shepparton coach Ali Karslioglu made a pact ahead of their round nine Bendigo Amateur Soccer League clash against ladder-leader Eaglehawk.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
They had gone through three consecutive games coughing up points within the final 10 minutes and had not tasted victory since round three.
That’s why, with scores tied 2-2 in the 93rd minute of the clash at Vilbert Reserve, Nyetam-Mawo bee-lined straight for his coach after his left-foot strike beat the Hawks’ keeper and handed Shepparton a famous 3-2 win over the previously unbeaten ladder-leaders.
“(We) spoke before the game and we promised each other that we are not losing or drawing this game,” Karslioglu said.
“He said to me, ‘if I score, I'm coming to you,’ and that’s exactly what he did.
“He spear-tackled me to the ground and I couldn't breathe for about 10 seconds.
“All worth it, it was an absolute joy.”
Alex Rojas and Mario Peche Morote fired Shepparton to a 2-0 lead within 20 minutes, before Jesse Matthews retaliated for the visitors.
Brent Hamblin equalised with 16 minutes to play and, with Rojas and Alex Caldow seeing red, the game finished with both sides down to 10 men.
Nyetam-Mawo’s first goal of the season broke the deadlock, securing Shepparton’s second win of the season and keeping it within two games of the top five.
Karslioglu said it was a big boost for team morale.
“Obviously, it’s an amazing feeling to sort of break that curse that we had,” he said.
“We've worked really hard and we just haven't been able to get a lot of results.
“Now we know what we are, what we can do and what our goal is; to push forward and chase that top three spot, hopefully by winning the rest of the games.”
Eaglehawk’s defeat dropped it to third and it’s a familiar face at the top in its place.
Tatura’s 5-0 defeat of La Trobe has helped the reigning champion retake the top mantle, with Cody Sellwood and Tristan Zito at the double launching the Ibises to their seventh win.
Shepparton South also leapfrogged the Hawks after a nervy 3-2 victory over Strathdale.
South’s senior women had no such luck, running into an in-form Strathfieldsaye and going down 5-0.
Meanwhile, Tatura’s senior women kept their foot on the gas, fending off a determined La Trobe University.
Grainne Egan’s 46th-minute goal was the winner, consolidating fourth spot on the ladder for the Ibises.
11°C