United blew the Roar out of the water, earning a dominant 8-0 win at Jelbart Park in Albury.
Cobram conceded more goals in 90 minutes than it had for the rest of the season combined in what was the senior men’s side’s largest defeat in recent memory.
Roar coach Vince Iannucci offered a frank assessment of how both sides played under lights on Saturday night.
“We got flogged,” Iannucci said.
“Everything that could go right did go right for them, they were all over us. They were awesome.
“Albury United did not beat us last year, and they were absolutely up for it. They were good. No side would have beaten them on Saturday night, that was better than I saw them play all year last season. We had no answer.
“It was a disaster, there is not much to say more than that.”
Melkie Woldemichael did most of the damage for United, netting four goals.
Aidan Rees scored a brace and Sajan Majhi was on the scoresheet too, with Cobram also conceding an own goal.
Iannucci said the performance was disappointing, but added that the team knew what it needed to do to turn things around.
“There was no yelling and screaming after the game. The guys all owned it,” the coach said.
“The only way to get over it is to work hard at training, it is as simple as that.
“The biggest thing for me was we failed pretty miserably in the first game and we said let’s not get ourselves in that position again. And sure enough, three weeks later, here we are again.”
With Cobram’s regular goalkeeper ruled out just before the match, the Roar turned to young gloveman Jordan Kelly.
“We had a young guy in goals, we showed some faith in young Jordan Kelly who did a fine job in extremely difficult circumstances,” Iannucci said.
The Roar will now have plenty of time to put Saturday’s hefty defeat in the rear-view mirror.
The league will have a week off over the Easter long weekend, while Cobram will back that up with a bye in round five.
The Roar’s next game will be against Wodonga Diamonds on Sunday, April 23.
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