Wangaratta wrestled back top spot in the AWFA senior men's league with a determined 2-0 win against arch rivals Myrtleford at Savoy Park on Sunday.
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A stunning first half strike from Englishman Adam Burchell gave Wangaratta the upper hand.
Josh Masters beat two defenders before picking out Burchell on the wing who lobbed goalkeeper Jayden Vescio with a sublime finish.
The Red Devils took the lead into the break, but Myrtleford came out a different side in the second half.
A dominant first five minutes saw the Savoys create several chances, but Jake Miles was unable to make the best of them count.
Patrick Sibomana had another golden opportunity inside the final 10 minutes, but couldn't make solid contact as the Wangaratta defence cleared the danger.
The visitors sealed Victory when Burchell crossed the ball to Ethan Whiley who got it back to Frenchman Thomas Romero for the finish.
Wangaratta coach Daniel Vasilevski was thrilled with the way his side stuck to the task for 90 minutes.
"We're a good ball-playing side with good inter passing through the middle and that's exactly what we did and how we created our chances as well," he said.
"We tried to stay out of anything else that was happening outside of that and it worked a treat."
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Vasilevski labelled Burchell's strike "a special goal for a special game".
"To produce something like that in a derby is outstanding," he added.
"Even getting one late in the game, we kept at it and got that goal which buried them.
"We knew they were going to come out pretty hard in the second half.
"We go top of the league and come tomorrow we forget about this game.
"There's no point winning today and not getting a result next weekend."
Centre backs Nikola Bukvic and Stoycho Ivanov were solid all day, while the midfield combination of Mason Nhansana and Riley Hamilton was telling.
Myrtleford co-coach Matt Park admitted a slow start proved costly for the reigning champions.
"They came out of the blocks flying, set the tone and got 1-0 up with the crowd behind them," Park said.
"We were chasing the game, but we created enough opportunities in the second half and probably should have snatched one.
"Against a side like that with their pace, if you sit back and allow them to run at you, you're asking for trouble.
"It's never good to lose, but it gives you that burning desire to get back."
Albury United is a win behind after a 6-1 result against Wodonga Diamonds, Albury City beat Cobram 6-4, Boomers got past Albury Hotspurs 4-1, Twin City scored a 5-1 triumph against St Pats, while Melrose thrashed Wodonga Heart 11-0.
The ladder after round nine is: Wangaratta 25, Myrtleford 24, Albury United 22, Albury City 21, Boomers 18, Cobram Roar 15, Twin City Wanderers 13, Melrose 10, Wodonga Diamonds 4, St Pats 3, Albury Hotspurs 1, Wodonga Heart 0.
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