Doveton reserves player Gino Santamaria in action for his side.By Paul Pickering
A STRATEGIC masterstroke from Doveton coach Sam Elmazi has knocked Endeavour United from its perch atop the Football Federation State League Three South East ladder.
The enigmatic Doves claimed a prized scalp in defeating United 2-0 at Waratah Reserve on Saturday.
Having unleashed an almighty spray on his charges after a 2-1 loss to bottom side Fitzroy City the previous week, Elmazi was elated with his team’s response against the ladder leader. Elmazi’s tactic to throw several players back into defence – leaving striker Leon Buhic to fly solo up front – proved to be a tactical revelation for the Doves.
While he admitted the game wasn’t pretty, Elmazi said the two chances his team created were all it needed to secure a shock victory. Both goals were scored by Buhic in a 10-minute period in the first half – the first from a penalty and the second from a swift counterattack.
“We went defensive all game,” Elmazi said, praising his team for executing the planned lock-down. “They couldn’t break through and it gave us the attacking space. I’m prepared to use (the tactic) until it doesn’t work any more.
“We usually go out all guns blazing, but if that doesn’t work you have to go back to defensive measures.”
The test for the fourth-placed Doves will be to maintain their discipline against a struggling Sandringham City this Saturday. Meanwhile, after slipping back to third spot, United will be looking to bounce back at home against Nunawading City.
Springvale City looked to have set up an impressive away victory against Morwell Pegasus on Saturday, compiling a 3-0 lead at half-time after goals from Edis Omerovic, Mirza Zukanovic and Fikret Korkaric.
But in a stunning reversal of fortunes, the Pegasus came roaring back in the second half to net four goals – including a double from Frank Albanese – and steal the three points. The Vales will host Southern Suburbs at Ross Reserve on Saturday, looking to exorcise the demons of a second-half fade-out.
Berwick City was at home to Sandringham City on Saturday, with the opportunity to leapfrog its opponent into sixth spot with a win.
First-half goals to Berwick’s Matthew Nitz and Sandringham’s Stephen Parker created a half-time deadlock before both sides squandered chances to take the three points in the second half.
The 1-1 draw leaves Berwick City in eighth spot with the daunting task of travelling to Gardiners Creek Reserve to face the top-of-the-table Eastern Lions ahead of them this week.
