By JARROD POTTER
BACK-TO-BACK wins have jumpstarted the Dandenong Thunder’s tepid start in the Victorian Premier League, knocking off South Melbourne 3-0 in their third lockout game at George Andrews Reserve.
The Thunder hit the scoreboard early through the combined effort of Nate Foster and new recruit Nicholas Epifano, forcing South Melbourne defender Shaun Kelly into error as he conceded an own goal at the 25-minute mark.
The rest of the half buoyed back and forth as the Thunder squandered opportunity – with Foster getting into danger-territory as usual, but unable to convert before the main break.
Dandenong didn’t cede any advantage to the visitors in the second half – bringing back Matt Theodore, from injury sustained last season, and Theodore’s impact helped set up Luke Hopper unmarked in the box.
Hopper slotted the go-ahead goal after a textbook step-around the advancing player in the 77th minute, before Foster put on a Mohawk master-class – getting behind the South defence and firing a rocket shot into the top corner to take the two-goal win.
“It was probably just what we really needed to kick-start the season,” Dandenong coach Chris Taylor said. “Went out there with certain intentions in mind and everything fit into place
“Very pleased with the way the boys responded.”
Taylor praised Foster, returning to best form that won him the VPL Golden Boot last season.
The Thunder heads into another title defence this week – their first leg in the State Knockout Cup squaring off against Kingston City.
Taylor said it will mostly come down to personnel whether the Thunder are in a position to focus on the Cup.
“We’d obviously like to do well – the intention is to go out there and do as well as we can, but there’s a lot of other sides that will have good teams and a lot will come down to injuries,” Taylor said.
Kick-off is 2pm at The Grange Reserve, Clayton.
In other results from the Dandenong area, in State League 2 Dandenong City drew with Doveton 1-1 in a nail-biting finish, Noble Park United lost to Morwell Pegasus 1-3, Springvale White Eagles claimed the Springvale bragging rights with a 1-0 win over South Springvale.
Springvale City lost to Heatherton United 0-4 in State 3, Keysborough drew nil-all against Bayside in State 4 and wins went to Parkmore, Sandown Lions, Noble Park SC and Dandenong Wolves in State League 5.
FFV SCOREBOARD
THUNDER 3
SOUTH MELBOURNE 0
GOALS
DANDENONG THUNDER – Own Goal (25’), Hopper (77’), Foster (85’). SOUTH MELBOURNE – Nil.
CARDS
YELLOW – THUNDER – Jawadi (56’), Mala (66’), Hopper (80’). SOUTH MELBOURNE – Joe Keenan (20’), Tyson Holmes (39’), Shaun Kelly (81’).
RED: None.
