By JARROD POTTER
THIS will be the loss that hurts the most.
Chance after chance failed to meet the back of the net as Dandenong Thunder was left to concede a 0-1 defeat to powerhouse South Melbourne in their Dockerty Cup round six clash.
Thunder was on top all night – outside of four-consecutive corners, which were repelled by the Dandenong defence and former South Melbourne goalkeeper Zaim Zeneli early in the first half.
A homecoming for many South Melbourne players and coach Chris Taylor – all leaving the Thunder during last year’s transfer window – the crowd was happy to dish it up and go after their former favourites.
Streaming down the wings all night, Matt Millar, Keiran Dover and especially Kris Kioussis put in strong showings, with Kioussis running out the entire 120 minutes in a best afield performance.
Crosses flew and beat South Melbourne’s last man in defence Jason Saldaris, but the lack of a genuine striker hurt Dandenong on the final push towards the goal.
Saldaris can pat himself on the back after a match under supreme pressure – with the South Melbourne keeper making 30-or-more saves.
Marcus Schroen was thrust forward and kept making chances – but as with his team-mates, the shots didn’t land.
The home team’s best chance came in the dying seconds of regulation as Kioussis’ spot kick sailed only inches above the crossbar and had Saldaris beaten.
Dandenong’s resolute defence achieved something no-one else could muster this season in the National Premier League competition – keeping a clean sheet against South Melbourne throughout regulation time.
Thunder captain Alan Mulcahy geared up the charges at the break before overtime, begging his guys to keep up their pace as South Melbourne was “running scared”.
His words fell on deaf ears as Dandenong’s defence was breached early in the first overtime period by Kobbie Boahene with coach Taylor giving a little bit back to his former club in the celebrations of what would inevitably be the match-winning goal.
Dandenong will be concerned with midfield spring heel Matt Millar – who limped off and iced up an ankle late in first overtime.
“From the very outset I’m going to say I’m very, very proud of my side,” Thunder coach Dean Hennessey said.
“We were the better side pretty well the majority of the night but they’re a good side and we understand that.
“They’ve won 12 games out of 12, but you know what, we’re the first team to not let them score in 90 minutes and we should’ve really had the game finished by then and we should be in the next round.
Hennessey’s young charges grew remarkably on Wednesday night according to the coach, labelling the performance the time when the boys became top-calibre men on-field.
“Today we really came of age,” Hennessey said.
“We’ve won seven out of 12 and for such a young side and to bring them here and for me, for the vast majority of the time to outplay them and I just couldn’t see us losing.
“But once again, if there was one side that would punish you, and with one real chance, we could’ve been able to deal with it a bit better, but that’s football.”
It was South Melbourne’s 13th win-in-a-row this season and the former NPL team now heads into the final eight of the Dockerty Cup.
Dandenong will face South Melbourne in their regular season NPL clash on Sunday afternoon at Lakeside Stadium.
In other results, South Springvale will head into the final eight as the lowest ranked side after knocking off Fawkner Blues 1-0 with the match winner coming from Dean Panagopoulos. South Springvale is the lowest ranked side currently through to the top eight and a win in the semi-final stage will earn South Springvale a place in the Football Federation Australia Cup.
