Shoulder to shoulder: Cobram's Aaron Feltman battles his opponent in the division one men’s competition.
Photo by
Christine Osborne
A 90th minute strike proved to be the difference for Cobram Roar’s division one men’s side at the weekend, with a 3-2 defeat to Wangaratta ending the side’s grand final hopes.
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The Roar were in the box seat for much of the Saturday afternoon Albury Wodonga Football Association semi-final at Apex Reserve.
Leading 2-1 thanks to Marius Williams’ 36th minute goal and a Florian Dambricourt penalty in the 75th minute, Cobram was close to locking in a grand final berth, however, things soon changed.
An 85th minute goal to the visitors drew the scores level, before a 90th minute Liam Nash strike secured Wangaratta passage through to the grand final.
Smooth mover: Cobram's Bill Puckett in the division one men’s competition.
Photo by
Christine Osborne
Cobram coach Vince Iannucci said inexperience was one of the factors behind the loss.
“We were 2-1 up with five minutes to go and just didn’t have enough composure to see the game out,” Iannucci said.
“That was really it, unfortunately, but overall it has been a great season for the senior set-up.
“Everyone played okay, it’s just right at the end we couldn’t hold it out.”
Iannucci labelled the year a ‘‘watershed’’ one for the club, with plenty of youth coming through.
Defensive duties: Cobram's Martin Louchet in the division one men’s competition.
Photo by
Christine Osborne
“It’s been a good season, sort of saying ‘we’re back’,” he said.
While the division one men’s side did not make the grand final, the division two women’s team secured a grand final berth and Iannucci said it would be significant for the club.
“The under-16s got through as well,” he said.
“It would be good to get along and watch the remaining teams in the grand finals."
The division two women will take on Wodonga Heart in Saturday’s grand final, with kick off at Albury’s Lavington Sports Ground at 12.30pm.
Earlier on Saturday, Cobram’s under-16 boys will take on Twin City, with kick off at 11am.
