In the biggest game of the season, all eyes were on Apex Reserve as the Roar hosted Albury United in a top two battle, but it was the Greens to muscle over the line 4-0 in an unexpected blowout.
It leaves Cobram one agonising point behind United with four games to play, with the most recent loss perhaps one Vince Iannucci’s side may look back on at the season’s conclusion as the one that got away – especially considered what happened early on in match.
The Roar went 1-0 down on 13 minutes as Melkie Woldemichael found the net from an indirect freekick, however United were down to 10 men as forward Ryan Luty was shown a straight red.
The visitors then lost captain Caleb Martin through injury, but it hardly mattered as Aaron Young made it 2-0 in the 26th minute from a well worked cut back.
Things would go from bad to worse for Cobram less than a minute into the second term.
Initial goal scorer Woldemichael turned provider for Sajan Mahji to put the travellers three to the good, and when Mahji found substitute Ramesh Bashnet in the 75th minute, the game was gone for the Roar.
It’s now a game of catch up for Apex Reserve tenant, with a match against third-ranked Boomers looming on July 30 following this weekend’s league bye.
Division one women’s
The Roar’s women’s outfit suffered the same fate as the men’s and were handed a tough defeat at the weekend.
Albury United flexed its muscles and ran out 4-1 winners.
The win extends the gap between United and Roar on the table, with five points now separating Taner Tekin’s outfit with United.
United got off to a ripping start and scored a penalty after 11 minutes, but a class finish from Alyssa Iannucci saw Roar level the match just after the half-hour mark.
The scores were locked 1-1 at half time but a quick goal following the break was followed by two more in the 80th and 86th minute.
Under-14 girls
It is always a tough tussle with Albury Hot Spurs and this game was no different as Albury claimed a tight 2-1 win.
The Spurs’ attack tested Roar’s defence early, but Roar held tight and went into the half time break 0-0.
The stingy defence suffered a quick blow as Hot Spurs came out with venom and scored two quick goals following the resumption of play.
Later in the second half Roar displayed great passages of attacking play, moving the ball from defence forward up the pitch.
Some near misses were quickly followed by Gemma Janssens’ strike which found the back of the net.
Player of the match was Paige Reidell who strongly blocked many goals attempts by Hot Spurs.
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