Thunder suffers first loss

By JARROD POTTER
IT’S always hard to let go of a perfect season, but that’s what the Dandenong Thunder has to come to terms with as they missed a number of chances in their 1-2 loss, their first of 2012, to mid-table Southern Stars.
The Thunder missed crucial opportunities – Nate Foster found himself in open space over the back of the Stars’ keeper in the sixth minute, but couldn’t capitalise.
Dandenong went into unfamiliar territory in the 16th minute – down 0-1 after the Stars scored through David Stirton – who fired a cannon-shot through the Thunder defence and into the net from 20 yards out.
Luke Sherbon and captain Veton Korcari had their chances through the first half, but they went begging until Foster was brought down in the penalty box in the 39th minute.
Sherbon didn’t miss his chance this time – kicking the equaliser to go into the half 1-1.
The second half started badly for the Thunder as Stars’ captain Alan Mulcahy found a gap in the usually wrought-iron defence of Stuart Webster to kick the match-winner.
An all-out attack from the Thunder didn’t reap any rewards as Sherbon’s last-ditch strike in the 93rd minute went agonisingly wide.
”Some of the team expecting us to go the whole season not to be beat, and maybe it’s a good thing for us to be beat,” Thunder coach Chris Taylor said.
“I don’t’ think we played bad – circumstance over the last four or five games have meant we’ve missed chances.
“What’s probably been a bit more on character is we’ve made a few mistakes going into goals.
“I’d say four players could’ve done better in the build-up, and that has a bearing on the situation of the game, and occasionally you come unstuck.”
Taylor said it was crucial for Foster to regain his confidence, with the Canadian striker a little flat over the last month
“Don’t want to put pressure on the individual, but Nate is off the ball,” Taylor said.
“We have to do whatever it takes to get Nate back on track and score some goals – he’s still working for us, but that’s a patch he’s going through and we need to get his confidence back.”
Dandenong still maintains their top-billing on the VPL ladder, and faces a home-ground double header this week – against Hume City on Saturday before their Monday night State Knockout Cup clash against Altona Magic.
In other results, Springvale White Eagles took the lead against Dandenong City before the City boys levelled the affair at 1-1, South Springvale lost 0-1 to Mornington SC, Noble Park FC had a 4-3 win over Casey Comets, Springvale City smashed Beaumaris 4-1 and Heatherton United failed to impress against Doveton SC losing 1-3.