Thunder lapse results in draw

By Stuart Teather
A GOALKEEPING error cost Dandenong a victory in its top-of-the-table Victorian Premier League clash with second-placed South Melbourne on Saturday night.
Thunder keeper Stuart Webster, who has been unbeatable in front of goals all season, had a momentary lapse of concentration when he picked up a back pass late in the clash with the Hellas, which turned the game around.
In soccer, goalkeepers cannot pick up a back pass, and as a result Webster conceded a free kick on the six-yard line when Dandenong was cruising at 2-0 in the 75th minute.
South Melbourne converted the goal, then used the momentum to up its assault on Dandenong, and managed to find the net again before time ran out to secure an unlikely 2-2 draw.
Thunder coach Stuart Munro said it was a bizarre mishap from his keeper.
“He’s been outstanding for us, he’s been the best goalkeeper in the league all year,” he said.
“He just had a complete lapse in concentration.”
The Thunder were in complete control of the game for the first 75 minutes, scoring twice through Veton Korcari and Colin Quirk, and Munro said his side could have been even further in front.
“We had chances before half-time to make it three or four (goals), Joey (Di Iorio) had a one-on-one and missed the target, Veton had a one-on-one and missed the target.”
But Webster’s error was the turning point in the match.
“Subsequently, you could just see their tails went up and our tails went down. It was just that error that knocked the stuffing out of the guys, it was just unreal.
“We struggled the last 10 minutes of the game, at the end of the day we were fortunate to get the 2-2 draw.”
Reflecting on the game, Munro noted the disappointment in the rooms after missing out on all three points.
“I said to the guys after the game it felt like a loss to us and they were obviously delighted to escape with a point; it kind of shows how far the club has come in a year when you’re disappointed in getting a draw.”
Despite the result, Dandenong did not concede any ground on the VPL ladder, with results from other games falling its way.
Green Gully, Heidelberg and Altona all lost, meaning Dandenong held its three-game break over the rest of the field.
This Saturday Dandenong takes on ninth-placed Oakleigh at George Andrews Reserve, from 7pm.