By JARROD POTTER
The campaign for back-to-back State Knockout Cup victories started promisingly as the Dandenong Thunder cantered past Kingston City 4-0.
Stephen Topalovic was in sublime form, getting unabated runs through the midfield and on goal without impediment.
Topalovic drilled two goals early – getting a free-header from a set-piece in the 26th minute, only to make it a brace soon after as he had a one-out through ball against the keeper, which he slotted to make it 2-0.
The result only got worse for Kingston from there as Luke Hopper latched onto a Zac Walker pass in the 69th minute before the coup de grace was executed by Liam Kearney, subbed on late in his return game from suspension, and drilled the fourth and final goal for the Thunder.
“I suppose it’s about defending your title,” Dandenong coach Chris Taylor said about the win.
“The fact that we won it last year makes a little more prestige in the cup.
“We’ve got everything to lose and nothing to gain, so it’s a case of going out there and doing everything we were expected to do.”
Taylor highlighted the efforts of Topalovic at the front, but said the whole team couldn’t be split in a fantastic all-round performance.
Even with the likes of Shane Rexhepi, Craig Elvin and Liam Kearney set to return this week for the Thunder’s VPL clash against Hume City, Taylor said this was the same as any other challenge for his charges.
“No different to any other week, I think the Victorian Premier League is one of the best leagues going around for bringing you back down to earth,” Taylor said.
“We’ll go in confident with the result we had against South, but we’re under no illusions about Hume.
“They’re one of the better sides going around and we’ll treat everyone with respect and play to our capacity.
“In other results, Springvale White Eagles fell narrowly to Bentleigh Greens 1-2 at Kingston Heath, with Nenad Pavasovic snaring the goal.
“The White Eagles, who have fallen from the Victorian Premier League to State League South East 2 in the last two seasons, held its own against the VPL-level Greens, but couldn’t hold on in the dying minutes.
