Shepparton United’s Thomas Raditsas was on the scoresheet versus Epsom.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Shepparton United SC continues its procession towards the FV Greater Bendigo men’s senior minor premiership following a 4-0 rout of Epsom - as neighbours Shepparton South remain hot on its tail.
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The battle for supremacy at the top of the standings has been one typified by high standards, with the division’s leading two sides both pushing each other all the way in the hunt for the title.
Coming into round 16, the Shepparton clubs were separated by just five points at the summit, with the Blues having lost just once all season, amassing 15 wins to date.
Their clash against Epsom saw them reinforce their premiership credentials, as strikes from Tutu Taya, Thomas Raditsas and Marcus Thomas and an own-goal from Brad Verbeek put the result beyond doubt by the 55th minute.
With maximum points in the bag down at John McEwen Reserve, Blues boss Roven Shaholli was pleased with the efforts of his all-conquering outfit but he expects his players to find another gear in the coming weeks.
“To be quite honest, we haven’t put our foot down yet,” he said.
“The boys were a bit slow to start with having had a bye last week, so it took a little while for them to get going and dust the cobwebs off.
“But, also it was good to give some of the boys a rest, it wasn’t our best performance but they got the job done, which is all that matters on the day really.
“I think all of the boys were pretty much on the same page - the game wasn’t all one way.”
Meanwhile, Shepparton South has amassed a formidable reputation of its own across 2026, having dropped points in just three games this term - and they did nothing to harm their standing in week 16.
Facing Shepparton down at Vibert Reserve, the Southerners dispatched of the hosts in a 4-0 derby victory, with 18-year-old Lachlan Cox scoring on his maiden start, while Asad Alsaedy and Jaxan McDonald also got on the scoresheet.
Shepparton South’s Jaxan McDonald grabbed a goal in the derby victory.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
“It’s always good to beat one of the other local teams and, of course, we’re chasing that top spot,” head coach Isaac Brooker said.
“It’s going to be hard to catch them, given how good United has been this season.
“But we’ve just got to do our job and keep winning matches, while preparing for finals.
He singled out teenager Cox for praise for the difference he made in the battle, while also highlighting the defensive solidity on show.
“Lachlan is an 18-year-old kid who has just come into the squad and has settled in really well - we’re really happy with him,” Brooker said.
“He’s one of the youth players who has come into the seniors this year, so it’s been really good for him and the club.
“We’ve been really good defensively this season, it’s 11 clean sheets this season, which is a good record.
“Despite what the ladder says, Shepparton is a really tough team to play away, so every time you go there and get a clean sheet you are happy.”
Elsewhere in the division, third-placed Tatura kept in touching distance of the top two with a 2-0 win over Strathdale, as Spring Gully United defeated Golden City in a 2-0 triumph.
Rounding out the results from around the grounds, La Trobe University Bendigo fell to a defeat at the hands of FC Eaglehawk.
