Knights fall to Thunder

By Gavin Staindl
DANDENONG Thunder has given itself the best start to season 2010 by beating strong opponents Melbourne Knights 2-1 at George Andrews Reserve on Saturday.
The Thunder controlled the play for most of the first half with goals coming from the head of defender Shane Rexhepi and the boot of Joey Di Iorio, all in the first half.
Di Ioria can also consider himself unlucky that he did not have a second goal after he scored but was called back for a dubious offside decision that did not please the home crowd.
Leading 2-0 at half time the Knights, who have been tipped by Thunder president Driton Maliku to make the top four, came out hard in the second period, creating many scoring opportunities that were expertly defended by Thunder goalkeeper Stuart Webster.
In a good test for Webster, the Thunder goalie pulled off some spectacular saves but was not able to stop Knights’ recruit Jean Charles Dubois from scoring from a corner with 10 minutes left.
Despite being reduced to 10 men after Knights’ striker Kevin Townson was sent off for two bookable offences, the Knights still pressured the goals and could have equalised in the final few minutes if it was not for a fingertip save by Webster that was edged over the crossbar.
Thunder coach Stuart Munro said that it was important to start the season off with a win. “I am very happy with the match,” the second year coach said.
“Practise matches are good but there is nothing like a proper league match,” he said.
Although Dandenong dropped off in the final 20 minutes, Munro believed his team played well in the first proper hit out since their shock finals loss to Altona Magic last year.
“I think we went to sleep and switched off at the end. We can start to think it can be a bit easy… but everyone will get stronger and better,” Munro said.
Munro also praised the efforts of goalkeeper Webster and defenders Aaron Wilford and Ryan Davidson.
“Webster and Aaron Wilford played really well and Ryan Davidson provided run for us through the middle all day,” Munro said.
Thunder will now face Hume City in what Munro believes will be a “tough, tough game”.
“I rate them very highly as a team, so we’ll just have to wait and see,” he said.