United at the top

By Glen Atwell
ENDEAVOUR United has cruised to the top of the Football Federation Victoria State League Three ladder after back-to-back wins over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.
United entered the weekend in second spot, one win behind Doveton, but finished on top and three points clear after a 3-1 win against Fitzroy City on Saturday and a 1-0 defeat of Eastern Lions on Monday.
Doveton lost its only match of the weekend, a high-scoring encounter against the Lions, 3-2.
Doveton had silenced the crowd at Gardiners Creek Reserve by half-time with a 2-1 lead, but the Lions roared to the lead with two second-half goals courtesy of Paul McEvoy and Martin O’Hare.
Victor Mefsut and Glen Bristow found the back of the net for Doveton, but it wasn’t enough to secure the points.
On the other hand, Endeavour United could not have made a better start to their double-header weekend, with a convincing win at Reema Reserve on Saturday.
United led Fitzroy 1-0 at half-time after a Muhammed Kirmaci strike found the back of the net and goals to Arun Yuvarajah and Ted Ithier sealed the win for Endeavour in the second half.
United backed up on Monday to tackle the Lions, who were full of confidence from their win against Doveton and a thrilling match ensued.
A single goal, scored by Ted Ithier in the second half, was enough to win the match, send the crowd into hysteria and thrust United to the top of the ladder.
In other State League Three matches, Berwick City defeated Frankston Strikers 3-2 at Ballam Park on Saturday.
Adam and Dean Ventieri both scored for Berwick, the other goal came from a Frankston own-goal blunder.
The win has revived Berwick’s slow-start to the season and lifted the local side into eighth position on the ladder.
Springvale City registered its third win of the season with a convincing 3-1 defeat of Mooroolbark on Saturday.
Jusuf Pekmezovic scored two goals for Springvale, Selim Osmani put away the third.