Coming together: Goulburn Valley Suns took on the Shepparton All-Stars on Wednesday night. Photos: Lynne Weir
Photo by
Lynne Weir
Shepparton’s soccer community turned out in force at McEwen Reserve on Wednesday night, raising money for Jodie Montagner.
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A true showing of the power of sport, hundreds of supporters attended the annual Mimmo Lia Trophy match between Goulburn Valley Suns and Shepparton All-Stars, with many opening their wallets to help Montagner’s health battle.
Suns coach Craig Carley said the night was a success on and off the pitch.
“It was a brilliant turnout from the local Shepparton community, obviously getting behind a lovely family and we are just really grateful to play a part in that by hosting the game,” Carley said.
“For us, I thought it was a very good hit-out, it was sort of a step up in opposition from last week’s game against Bendigo City and I thought the boys responded very well.”
While the action on the pitch took a back seat to the cause off it, supporters were still given plenty of entertainment.
Taking out the match 6-2, the Suns’ performance was headlined by a Brandon Giaccherini screamer from outside the box, with a Jamie England brace adding to single goals from Gerald Corbo, Oriol Fernandez and Marcus Thomas.
For the All-Stars, Tatura’s Thomas Leech was in fine form, scoring two goals — including a peach of a finish into the bottom right corner of the net.
New signing: Joe Adoo-Peters made his first appearance for the Suns on Wednesday.
Photo by
Lynne Weir
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Playing the ball: Shepparton All Stars' Nathan Radevski makes a pass.
Photo by
Lynne Weir
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Strong spell: GV Suns' Taku Hishida put in a strong attacking shift.
Photo by
Lynne Weir
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On the move: All Stars' Cody Sellwood makes a run.
Photo by
Lynne Weir
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Great turnout: The Shepparton soccer community came out in numbers for the event.
Photo by
Lynne Weir
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All smiles: The GV Suns pose with the Mimmo Lia Trophy.
Photo by
Lynne Weir
Showing plenty of positive signs throughout the game, Suns import Joe Adoo-Peters made his first start at centre-back just days after arriving from the UK, while fellow import Taku Hishida starred on the left wing in his second appearance.
“I thought Taku was excellent,” Carley said.
“Certainly in the final third his work rate was brilliant, I think he’s certainly going to be a star for us and I thought Joe was very comfortable at the back as well.
“Hopefully our other two imports will be on the pitch within the next week or so.
“We are set to welcome back a couple of other additions to the team in terms of James Lelliott, Matt Lelliott and a couple of others that missed out last night, so we can start building on what is hopefully going to be a more successful season than last year.”
Pre-season action is set to continue to ramp up for the Suns this weekend, with two games locked in.
Kicking off simultaneously at 10am at McEwen Reserve, the Suns’ senior side will welcome Altona City on Saturday morning, while the under-21s will battle Shepparton South.
“Altona City are historically a very well run club and are in State League One with aspirations to get into the NPL it will be a good test again,” Carley said.
“It’s another step up again in terms of opposition, so hopefully the boys that do get to play in those games will take it.
“Ultimately at this stage it’s still about getting good minutes into the legs, so we’re looking forward to the hit-outs.”
