After splitting the points in the penultimate round of the home and away season before dropping its final round game to Shepparton South, Tatura has fired an ominous warning shot to its finals opponents.

Slipping to third on the Bendigo Amateur Soccer League table, Tatura has begun to rebound by starting its finals campaign in ruthless style.

It took 16 minutes for the first domino to fall, yet it began a chain reaction unable to be tamed.

Aaron Niglia punched in the first of the day, and Strathdale was quick to fold after the deadlock broke.

Xavier Black netted two consecutive goals soon after, with the latter contributing to a merciless attack on a capitulating Strathdale defence, as the Ibises banked three goals in four minutes to rip the life out of its opponent’s season.

As the whistle blew to hit the sheds, the Ibises had established a stunning five-goal buffer - but their work wasn’t over yet.

In a cut throat final, Tatura kept its foot on the pedal to send an alarm out to its future rivals, and provide the club with enormous belief heading into the second week of finals action.

Five minutes into the next half playing coach Cody Sellwood continued the pain for Strathdale, before the blue smartened up.

Unable to pip a goal back however, 25 minutes of football passed before Connor Boxshall conceded an own goal, which was followed up four minutes later by Tatura’s Fraser Gosstray.

As the final whistle rang through the ears of all at McEwen Reserve, the curtains closed on Strathdale’s season in telling fashion, while new life has been breathed into Tatura’s campaign.

The 8-0 result undoubtedly provides Tatura with newfound belief that on its day, it is up there with the best, and will head into a huge semi-final against Shepparton United.

All three Shepparton sides will play in a semi-final this weekend too, as the Reds clutched a gripping penalty shootout win over Eaglehawk.

In a heated match where tensions boiled over and 12 yellow cards were shown, the Reds nabbed a first half lead of 2-0, but Eaglehawk made its response in the second 45.

Goals to Keegan Smyth and Oliver Kean squared the ledger, and with no further scoring output, the game headed to extra time.

Both sides found the back of the net during the added periods, with the game sent to a heart-stopping penalty shootout.

The Reds would pip the the Eagles 8-7, with two critical saves by keeper Sandeep Kumar sending Shepparton through to another week of finals football.

The Reds will play Shepparton South this weekend while Tatura will face Shepparton United, with winners through to the big dance on September 21.

In the BASL League 1 women’s, Shepparton South has progressed through to a semi-final following a penalty shootout win over Tatura.

The Ibises capitalised at the 22nd minute but Shepparton South replied before the half had ended, with neither side able to produce another scoring effort by the second hour of match time.

Meanwhile, Strathfieldsaye Colts has condemned the Border Raiders to a significant elimination final loss, claiming a 7-1 result.

The Raiders were in the hunt at half time after drawing first blood, as an own goal and follow-up one minute later handed the Colts the advantage at thr 36th minute.

Despite their initials efforts, the Raiders collapsed in the second half as the Strathfieldsaye ran rampant, notching a further five goals to record the landslide result.

Strathfieldsaye will host Shepparton United in the semi-finals, while Shepparton South has a date booked with Spring Gully at Truscott Reserve.

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Sunday, 5th February 2023

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