Clean sweep dream still alive

THE Swan Hill Soccer Club’s 2022 season continues to go from strength to strength, with both their men’s and Under 16’s boys teams going straight through to their respective grand finals after victories last weekend.

It’s the first time in the club’s history that they have had two teams participating in grand finals of the Bendigo Amateur Soccer League – and will be the club’s first Super Cup grand final appearance since the men’s team’s 2-1 defeat to Shepparton United.

The men’s side qualified for the Division 2 grand final after a hard-fought 4-2 win over the Shepparton Jaguars in the 2nd semi final last Sunday, with Swan Hill coach Tony Di Palma telling The Guardian this week that his was pleased with his side’s performance against a quality opposition.

“I think 4-2 was a great result and just reward for the boy’s efforts at the end of the day,” Di Palma said.

“The boys played very well and the team that we put out on the park was 110 per cent committed and played pretty much to the game plan – we made a few tweaks at half time and put a few things in place and came out with a strong performance in the second half.”

Connor Brown scored a hat-trick for the Swans, with his third goal coming courtesy of a penalty after being felled in the box in the 75th minute. Brown coolly slotted the goal, which set off a chain reaction from the Shepparton bench, with the match eventually ending in controversial circumstances when the Jaguars left the field. The match was then abandoned soon after, handing Swan Hill a 4-2 victory – and direct passage to the grand final.

“It was really unfortunate that it finished like it did, especially as there were only a handful of minutes remaining and the score was already 4-2, so it was more than likely going to end the way it did,” Di Palma said.

“Even if we had to park the bus and play out the next 10 minutes then we would have, but the boys did what they had to do and as a coach that’s all that I can ask for.

“Now, it’s just about preparing for the grand final and making sure we are ready to go next Sunday – it will be a different game no matter whether its Shepparton on Deniliquin (who will play in Sunday’s preliminary final) but we’re ready for whoever it is that gets through.

“The boys are in high spirits at the moment which is a great thing. When they are and when their spirits are high, we tend to play as a team and we win as a team.

“To win all three titles in the same season would be incredible for the club, especially with the new pavilion and the Under 16’s qualifying for their grand final too.”

The men’s team have already claimed the Division 2 League Cup and Division 2 premierships (awarded to the minor premier) this season – and in win next Sunday would see the team clean sweep the Division 2 BASL competition.

Also putting their feet up ahead of a grand final appearance next weekend will be the Under 16 boy’s team, who also went straight through to the U16B decider after defeating Golden City Eaglehawk 2-1.

Goals to Faizal Amran and Cal Croskery helped set up the win, with the Swans holding on to record the victory with the only goal of the second half.