By JARROD POTTER
FOOTBALL FEDERATION VICTORIA
– National Premier Leagues
SENDING the Red Devils back home with nothing, Dandenong Thunder maintained its top-four billing in the NPL with a 3-1 win over Ballarat.
A lacklustre first half – with a couple of minor chances untaken by Dandenong – was completely juxtaposed by a fast-running, high-tempo Thunder outfit in the second.
Ballarat boy at heart David King put the first goal in the Red Devils’ net – leaving his brother and Ballarat captain Charlie King to celebrate his brother’s goal but rue Dandenong’s first simultaneously.
Matt Millar was the maestro down the left side – running at the defenders and peeling off them to set up two Jake Nakic goals to seal the victory.
“It’s a great result,” Hennessey said.
“First half was pretty even – we were the better side and had more of the chances but to be fair we should’ve been 1-0 up at half time and nothing more.
“Had a good chat at half time and came out with a different mindset – we were 0-0 last week after dominating and we didn’t want to make the same mistakes – we weren’t ahead this week but we lifted another level.
Hennessey highlighted the efforts of Millar and Nakic at the front, with Rama Tavsancioglu holding down the fort defensively, but the Thunder coach was thrilled with the whole team performance.
“I rested Matt (Millar) as we have three games in eight days,” Hennessey said.
“He came off the bench… was great with his directness and because he was running at people and drawing the defenders… it left a lot more space for the rest.”
“I think everybody was great and the whole team contributed – Matt Millar obviously did well and Nakic scoring two – Rama was pretty good at the back… it was a really good team effort.”
In State Knockout Cup action Dandenong Thunder will host South Melbourne on Wednesday from 7.30pm – its first of two matches against the blue-and-white boys this week – while down the road Springvale White Eagles hosts Hume City at the same time.
Hennessey wants to ensure his lads are prepared for Wednesday night and bring the same intensity across both clashes against South Melbourne this week.
“We play them Wednesday at home and we are going to go out to win the game,” Hennessey said.
“Whatever happens there dictates whatever happens on Sunday.
“It’s a big game, we obviously want to stay in and continue our cup run and everyone is interested to get involved with the national A League teams, so we’re two wins away from that part of the competition.
“Because South Melbourne has been so dominant so far, if we were to get a result it will inject an enormous amount of confidence in the group – if we can be the team to beat them first, that will be a boost for the rest of the season going forward.”
In other results, Springvale White Eagles rained goals over FC Bendigo in a 4-1 canter. Abel Fesseha nailed a brace as Bendigo failed to match pace at the other end. Dandenong City fell to the might of Avondale Heights with the visitors unable to stop Avondale’s early onslaught in the 1-2 loss.
Avondale Heights opened the accounts early through Jason Principato and Zoran Pajic to take a two-goal lead into the main break. Dandenong City kept its head up to run in a consolation goal in the 83rd minute from Andres Jerez.
Dandenong Thunder travels to clash with South Melbourne on Sunday afternoon while Dandenong City and Springvale White Eagles host Whittlesea Ranges and Sunshine George Cross respectively on Saturday.
