Thunder tamed in wild weekend

By Gavin Staindl
“PUT it this way: It was not Thunder’s day.” These were the words of Dandenong Thunder president Driton Maliku as his team went down to Hume City 3-0.
The troubles for Thunder started even before kick off as players and officials had to negotiate back-roads around the city to reach the SS Anderson Reserve.
Like much of the state, the Thunder players were denied entry into the Burnley Tunnel then had to re-route through the city before they arrived to the ground.
Maliku admitted that the team was “rushed and panicked” before taking the field.
“Aaron Wilford got held up and arrived five minutes before the game and our leading goal scorer from last year arrived 15 minutes before the game … they didn’t have enough time to prepare. The match should have been called off,” Maliku said.
The frenzied start was met with further problems as players had to battle winds and rain for the opening moments as both teams tried to gather composure.
Hume scored first in the 17th minute from the head of unmarked forward Tansel Baser and Zoran Petrevski put the second goal in the net in the 33rd minute after a mix up in the Thunder defence half turned the ball over and gifted the home side a 2-0 lead.
As Hume pulled away, Dandenong grew frustrated at the scoring chances that were not put across the line.
“Dennis Ukali had a one-on-one chance with the goalie and Afrim Avdullai also had a one-on-one chance and missed,” Maliku said.
Maliku also pointed out further opportunities that Thunder failed to score from but as Maliku was quick to point out, “chances don’t count only the scoreline does”.
“It didn’t work for us today,” Maliku said. “But it is good to lose one game for preparation and to re-focus.”
Thunder will head home next week to play Richmond.