Goulburn Valley Suns talisman Callum Schorah stepped up to the mark once again with a vital winner in a top-three clash against Essendon Royals in the Victorian Premier League Two competition.

The Shepparton side came into the clash in sterling form having gone unbeaten in the league for more than two months, as it continues to chase down premiership frontrunner Malvern City.

This latest clash at McEwen Reserve represented a quick turnaround for the host, with its fairytale run in the Australia Cup coming to a close at the round seven stage midweek against Bulleen Lions.

Tasked with creating breathing space in the title chase between their nearest challengers in third, the second-placed Suns battled their way through a cagey first half on home soil.

Barring a couple of bookings heading into the break, the two sides largely cancelled each other out in the quest for all three points.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game, we obviously saw the results on Friday night as well,” Suns head coach Craig Carley said, after Malvern fell to defeat against Box Hill United.

“This was massive in terms of creating a distance between ourselves and obviously closing the gap on Malvern.

“It was always going to be a challenge to back up from Tuesday night, we had a few sore bodies, so I'm just super proud of the boys, we had to go into deep waters in that game.

“From a defensive perspective, we were absolutely unbelievable in terms of just limiting them to any major shots on goal.

“The defensive aspect of the game is something that probably let us down in the last couple of years in terms of conceding too many goals.

“I think that certainly changed this season and full credit to the captain back there, Liam Kielty, he's been unbelievable, and Ramos has been absolutely colossal too.“

Following on from the interval, words of wisdom from the Suns boss clearly had the desired effect as the boys in navy blue carved out opportunities in the second period - before their patience was duly rewarded on the hour mark.

Discipline paid dividends as midfield maestro Schorah led by example, grabbing a crucial opening goal after arriving late in the box à la Steven Gerrard to set up a grandstand finish to the game.

“For me, he is the best player in the league and we're very privileged to have him within our ranks,” Carley said.

“He just does the simple things really, really well. The goal came from him busting a gut to get in the box after the ball had gone from a goal-kick.

“Those are the underrated things that Callum does that probably go under a radar, he’s an absolute champion of a player.

“His football IQ is second to none within these ranks and he's really stepped up his leadership capacity too.

“He loves the club.“

Roared on by the spectators on the terraces, the Suns demonstrated their defensive solidity in the closing stages to see out a 1-0 victory and earn the spoils in what was effectively a six-pointer.

This result could prove seminal in the course of the campaign, not least as the win meant the victors are now eight points clear of Essendon in third and five points adrift of Malvern at the ladder summit.

“We were becoming the hunted rather than the hunters and we’re fully focused on chasing down Malvern,” Carley said.

The fixtures continue to come thick and fast for Carley’s charges, with a trip to face Altona City at HC Kim Reserve in Melbourne to follow in round 16 of the VPL2 on June 6.

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Saturday, 23rd May 2026

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