By JARROD POTTER
National Premier Leagues Victoria – round 3
THUNDER continued its early success in the NPL with a 1-0 win over Hume City.
A long-range rocket from captain Alan Mulcahy at the 20-minute mark put Dandenong ahead early in the first half and it would be the match-winner after a long-fought grind in the second half.
Hume City peppered the Dandenong goal – chances were close together and close to the goals as some goal-line theatrics from Faisal Safa kept almost certain goals out.
Dean Hennessey’s men clamped down in defence as Hume had all the chances in the second half.
With former Dandenong Thunder captain Shane Rexhepi controlling the play, Hume City lashed the Dandenong defence, but couldn’t break through as the final whistle blew.
Matt Millar was exceptional down the right wing – taking on Hume at any chance to provide quick-bursts throughout the match.
Midfield work from Mulcahy and Alan Kearney continued to impress and set up the likes of Keiran Dover, Brendan Craig and new Melbourne Heart Youth recruit Marcus Schroen.
Thunder coach Hennessey said he would not have believed a start like this could eventuate if you had told him so at the beginning of the year.
“We were bringing in lots of new players and it would take lots of time to settle, but if somebody said to us we’ll win two, draw one, get through the cup’s first four games, you’d have slapped their hand off,” Hennessey said.
“First half we played really well but second half to be fair I thought Hume was on top of us, but I thought we were resilient.”
Taking lessons from its 10-man defensively charged victory over Green Gully last week, Hennessey said the Thunder are used to getting men around the ball and defending tooth and nail when the time comes.
“Had a lot of practice the week before against Gully – having players around the ball and we tried to make it hard for them,” Hennessey said.
“We’ve still got a lot to learn – we’ve got off to good start, but I know this league better than most that it has an uncanny knack of pulling you back a peg or two quickly, so we won’t get too excited but it’s a good start.”
Dandenong heads to Knights Stadium on Sunday afternoon for its NPL Round 4 clash, while the local derby in NPL1 has Dandenong City take on Springvale White Eagles at Frank Holohan Reserve on Saturday afternoon.
