By Paul Pickering
ZORAN Tracjeski reckons he’s a lucky man.
The Dandenong Thunder coach was counting his blessings this week after welcoming the arrival of a baby boy last Friday and a 7-0 victory on Saturday night.
“I thought it must be my week,” a jubilant Tracjeski reflected on Monday.
“My friend said I should buy a lottery ticket.”
Still buzzing from the birth of his child, Tracjeski watched his Thunder pound Keilor Park in their Football Federation Victoria State League Division One clash at George Andrews Reserve.
While the win came against feeble opposition, it was undoubtedly a breakout performance from the Thunder.
The combination of Ryan Davidson and Veton Korcarevski proved devastating up front, as the pair linked seamlessly throughout the match.
Davidson scored four times to vault to the top of the divisional goal-scorers list, while Korcarevski netted one and gifted his strike-partner another two.
Meanwhile, Alfonso Opazo scored a double of his own, his first – from a free-kick – sandwiched in two true strikes from Davidson in the opening 15 minutes.
And while Davidson was the beneficiary of Dandenong’s dominance, Tracjeski said it was a consummate team performance.
“It was an excellent result for us, because all of the goals came from a team set-up – not individuals,” he said.
“I told them that it doesn’t matter who’s scoring, as long as we don’t play selfish.”
The result catapulted the Thunder to fifth spot on the table.
Elsewhere in Division One, the Southern Stars were beaten – outclassed 4-0 in their top-two clash with Sunshine Georgies, while Springvale White Eagles salvaged a point from their 2-2 draw at St Albans.
In State League Division Three South-East, the local sides had mixed fortunes, with Heatherton United defeating Sandringham City 1-0 and Springvale City losing 3-1 at Morwell.
Meanwhile, Doveton’s 3-1 loss to Brandon Park was overshadowed by the news that coach Sam Elmazi had resigned in the lead-up to Saturday’s game.
Doveton president Daniel McMinimee this week confirmed that Elmazi had informed the club of his decision last Thursday night, citing an ongoing communication breakdown between himself and the players as his reason for moving on.
After topping the table in round three, the injury-riddled Doves have lost their last three matches.
McMinimee admitted that there had been “a little bit of disharmony” within the playing list, but he said there was no bad blood between Elmazi and the club.
Reserves coach Glen Bristow will take over the seniors while the club speaks to coaching candidates.
Round Seven match-ups: Division One: Dandenong Thunder at Langwarrin, Bentleigh Greens at Southern Stars, Sunshine Georgies at Springvale White Eagles. Division Two South-East: Chelsea at South Springvale. Division Three South-East: Doveton at Boroondara Eagles, Heatherton United at Endeavour United, Springvale City at North Caulfield.
