Tedza Softic positions himself for a header during the Vales’ win over Berwick City on Saturday. 19554By Paul Pickering
SPRINGVALE City has made an improbable return to the promotion bracket in State League Division Three South-East after a stunning 2-1 win at Berwick City on Saturday.
Just two weeks ago, the Vales were in disarray after losing four consecutive matches and accepting the resignation of their first-year coach Goran Runje.
So, after knocking off buoyant Berwick City on their home pitch, team manager and stand-in coach Eddie Hadziefendic was entitled to be chuffed with his charges.
“It was probably our best performance of the season,” he reflected.
“Going into the game I would’ve been happy with a draw, because I think it’s one of the hardest away matches of the season.
“So, to come away with three points, I’m thrilled.”
The Vales struck first 10 minutes in, when a mid-pitch interception led to a series of precision passes and an opportunistic tap-in from Mrza Pedic at the back post.
Berwick equalised when Wayne Schembri got on the end of well-taken free kick midway through the first half, but the margin was restored after Franco Bove finished a classy solo-run by netting the Vales second two minutes later.
Leading 2-1 at the break, Hadziefendic warned his players of the inevitable assault on their goal upon resumption.
To his delight, the visitors’ defence held strong to deny Berwick another equaliser.
After claiming consecutive wins over top-two contenders Boroondara and Berwick over the last fortnight, the Vales are now sitting in second spot at the halfway mark of the season.
According to Hadziefendic, that goes beyond any expectations the club had for this year.
“We just wanted to stay in this division, so when we look at it halfway through the season and we’re in second, we’re absolutely thrilled,” he said.
The Vales are just one point clear of local rivals Heatherton United, who defeated Southern Suburbs 3-1 on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Doveton battled out a 2-2 draw at North Caulfield to consolidate their position mid-table.
In State League Division One, the Southern Stars’ woes continued with a shock 1-0 loss to last-placed Keilor Park at Ross Reserve on Saturday.
After squandering opportunities to score throughout the afternoon, the Stars copped a late goal from Keilor Park’s Lorenzo Carbone to record their fifth loss in the last six weeks.
Having started the season with such vigour, the fifth-placed Stars are now staring at a must-win home encounter with lowly Langwarrin this Saturday.
In contrast, the rolling Dandenong Thunder travelled to St Albans and knocked off the competitive Saints 2-1 to consolidate second spot.
Thunder frontmen Joe Dilorio and Veton Korcarevski scored either side of halftime to set-up their side’s third straight win.
On Sunday, the Springvale White Eagles played out a 1-1 draw with the Bulleen Royals at George Andrews Reserve.
In State League Division Two South-East, South Springvale conceded two late goals to Doncaster Rovers in an otherwise dour struggle at Warner Reserve.
The 2-0 home loss leaves South Springvale in sixth spot on the divisional table.
Round 12 match-ups: Division One: Dandenong Thunder at Sunshine Georgies, Langwarrin at Southern Stars, Keilor Park at Springvale White Eagles. Division Two South-East: Eastern Lions at South Springvale. Division Three South-East: Doveton at Heatherton United, Springvale City at Croydon City.
