Melbourne Victory and Newcastle Jets shake hands before the Shepparton showdown.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Women’s football is alive and kicking in the Goulburn Valley - and on Saturday night, it reached a fever pitch.
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In a first for Shepparton, John McEwen Reserve hosted an A-League Women’s regular season fixture for points as “host” side Melbourne Victory welcomed Newcastle Jets to town.
Safe to say, it lived up to the billing.
An end to end spectacle captivated fans - many of whom were clad in navy blue - across 90 minutes as Victory fired to a 2-1 triumph under lights, showing the nation that Shepparton can host with the best of them.
Melbourne Victory's Claudia Bunge gets the ball under her spell.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Newcastle Jets' Kelli Brown and Melbourne Victory's Chelsea Blissett race for the ball.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Melbourne Victory's Rosie Curtis drives forward.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Newcastle Jets' Emma Dundas looks for a pass.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Melbourne Victory's Rhianna Pollicina gets on the turn.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Melbourne Victory's Rhianna Pollicina tries to tackle Newcastle Jets' Emma Dundas.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Melbourne Victory celebrates the game’s opener.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Melbourne Victory supporters came out in their droves in Shepparton.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
The game began with a hiss and a roar as Newcastle carved out the opening chance inside seven minutes, Alexis Collins’ strike forcing a strong low stop from Victory keeper Courtney Newbon.
Six minutes later, Newcastle forward Josie Allan sent a glove-stinger goalward that drew a handy tip over the bar from Newbon, as the Jets used a strong southerly breeze to its advantage.
Moments before the break, Victory’s Kennedy White produced a shot that was well blocked by a Jets defender to breathe life in to the Navy Blues’ chances.
And as the teams switched sides, so did the momentum.
Less than 10 minutes after the restart, Victory’s Sofia Sakalis produced a pile driver from 30 yards that rattled off the crossbar and out.
Not long after the hour mark, Victory stole a march.
Alana Jančevski whipped in a wicked corner that bounced awkwardly and was turned in via a scuffed clearance by Jets’ Claudia Cicca.
However, some 15 minutes from time, the Jets were awarded a penalty after Emma Dundas was judged to be impeded inside the box.
Up stepped Kelli Brown, who blasted the ball coolly into the top-right corner.
Victory ensured they’d savour the last laugh, though, as Holly Furphy let off a left-footed strike that rippled the side netting on the far corner of goal in the 82nd minute, putting an exclamation point on a red letter night for women’s football in the region.
“The match was a great opportunity for our community to come together and experience top-level women’s football right here in Shepparton,” Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor Shane Sali said.
“To host an A-League Women’s fixture in our region is a significant win for Greater Shepparton and reinforces our reputation as a strong destination for major sporting events.
“We are proud to have welcomed Melbourne Victory and Newcastle Jets to our community and to showcase our facilities, volunteers and local football culture.
“We look forward to continuing to build partnerships that bring more high-quality elite sporting events to our region in the future.”
With Melbourne Victory forging a connection with Shepparton over the past few years, it’s likely Saturday won’t be the last time the city hosts the A-League powerhouse.
“The Regional Football Showcase and Ninja A-League Women's fixture played in Shepparton was a special occasion for all involved,” Melbourne Victory managing director, Caroline Carnegie said.
“It represents another important moment in Melbourne Victory's connection to regional Victoria, epitomising why we are the club for all Victorians by bringing both elite sport and workshops that celebrate the world’s game to Shepparton.”
With a successful night hosting the event, Shepparton South Soccer Club president Gino Cirillo was proud to welcome both clubs and fans for a memorable night of football.
“Our club volunteers were pleased to support Melbourne Victory in delivering match day operations and help deliver a great experience for players and fans,” he said.
“Having elite women’s football played here gives players in our region something real to aspire to and helps show the pathways that exist from local clubs through to the highest level.
“It’s great to connect elite football with grassroots communities and show what it really means for our region.”
