By JARROD POTTER
NPL 1 EAST
The Greater Dandenong showdown was once again claimed by Dandenong City, who whitewashed Springvale White Eagles in the second half to take a 3-0 triumph.
City built its way into the clash – with a number of forward chances from Keegan Ziada and Ash Cattermole challenging the White Eagles but not breaching their defences.
White Eagles subsequently barrelled through the City defenders and sent a few envoys itself towards goal, but nothing was gained through the first half as both sides walked back up the stairs in a stalemate.
The scoring spree would begin in earnest mere seconds after the resumption – Ziada worked his magic to cross in the easiest of Cattermole (46’ and 65’) tap-ins before giving Cattermole his second of the afternoon 20 minutes later.
A virtual carbon copy – Ziada’s cross to Cattermole’s eagerly awaiting boot – pushed the margin out beyond Springvale’s reckoning as Ziada (68’) added himself to the scoresheet to beat the stranded goalkeeper and finish off the match.
Springvale White Eagles hosts Nunawading City on Saturday while Dandenong City heads to Goulburn Valley in a battle for fifth spot.
NPL
DANDENONG Thunder’s time in the top-flight is one round from ending after losing a relegation battle against North Geelong Warriors 0-3.
The Thunder had its chances early as Jarrod Paterson and Brodie Paterson couldn’t capitalise on the chances afforded by strong footwork and speed.
North Geelong’s Nikola Jurkovic (30’) headed in the first headache of the Thunder’s afternoon as the clash soon went from bad to worse.
From there Gareth Richards (53’ and 77’) immediately took the wind out of Dandenong’s second half sails to slot the second before hammering the final nail in the visitors’ NPL relegation coffin himself.
The loss leaves the Thunder – the 2012 VPL treble-winning champions – three points below Round-25 winners Werribee City and North Geelong with one round remaining.
It will be Dandenong Thunder’s NPL farewell match when it travels away to face Heidelberg United on Sunday 23 August.
