HANWOOD Football Club has moved back into the Regional Premier League top five after their last minute 3-2 win against Shepparton Soccer Club at Hanwood Oval yesterday.
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Just a month ago the reigning local champions looked set to be ending their inaugural RPL season earlier than would have liked.
However, they now have a chance to represent the city in the RPL finals, with a final goal just two minutes from time giving the men in blue and white back-to-back wins.
“We’re back in the five because (Shepparton) United beat (Shepparton) South 7-1 so that puts us back in the running, so us going down to South next weekend is a massive game,” Hanwood FC coach Anthony Agresta said.
The home side opened the scoring when Joey Schirripa scored yet another perfect free kick to put his side’s nose in front, before the visitors drew level again just 10 minutes later.
With the sides locked at 1-1 at the break, Hanwood FC scored the all-important first goal of the second stanza when Luke Papandrea latched on to an well-weighted cross the clinically finish to put the local side in front again.
Shepparton were the recipients of a lucky goal from Marcus Scott, who weighted a long shot over Hanwood FC’s goalkeeper Jayden Woodbridge, despite losing a boot in the process.
But with time running out and Hanwood seemingly looking like being forced to share the points, they were awarded a penalty with Schirripa scoring his second for the game.
Michael Musitano made a successful return from injury as did striker Jason Bertacco, who stretched out for the last 10 minutes of the game and made it through unscathed.
“He was a bit ginger, but we just nursed him through a few minutes, having him more in line for him playing next week than anything,” Agresta said of Bertacco’s return.
Musitano controlled the back line while Daniel Quarisa was his side’s best yesterday, winning challenges and being in the right place at the right time Hanwood FC also welcomed back Adam Close after the star missed the past 11 weeks after breaking his collarbone.
“He managed to get through about 60 to 70 minutes which was pretty good but he ran out of a bit of puff at the end,” Agresta said of Close’s return.
“But he gives us a bit of versatility going forward and just a bit of speed across the ground as well.
“Because that was something that we really tried to do today (Sunday) use our speed advantage, because we saw in the first round that they (Shepparton SC) are a pretty big side.
“In the first half we didn’t play into their hands, but there was a lot of ball in the air so we talked about that at half time, and we managed to get the ball on the deck in the second half.”
