By JARROD POTTER
NPL VICTORIA 2 EAST – ROUND 4
DOWNED at the final whistle, Springvale White Eagles fell 1-0 to Eastern Lions in a hard-fought match from the get-go.
Neither side could capitalise on their opportunities early at the Serbian Sports Complex on Saturday afternoon, as White Eagles keeper Lajos Hun in particular had plenty to do to keep the Lions off the scoreboard.
In a fascinating battle at the back, Lions’ striker Phillip Ajao and Springvale’s Jordan Ballerini wore each other like gloves. Ajao was lucky to escape a red-card late in the first half, after an clumsy kick, going for an aerial ball, smashed Ballerini in the face and resulted in only a yellow.
The sides went into the half goalless and that’s how it remained for most of the outing, but the White Eagles will kick themselves for letting Sam Burfoot (88’) get free in the dying stages. Inside the box, Burfoot dribbled it in the air to himself before chipping it over Hun to steal the victory.
Dandenong Thunder continued its rampage through NPL 2 East with a 3-1 away victory over Box Hill United. Filling his coffers yet again, Amir Osmancevic (16’ and 65’) scored his fourth consecutive brace while Simon Colosimo (28’) hit the back of the net for his maiden Thunder goal.
Brunswick City defeated Dandenong City 2-1 after goals from Adam Wright and Dimiti Vithoulkas, despite a 59th minute goal cutting the margin in half.
Thunder sits atop the table with a whopping plus-13 goal difference after only four clashes, while Dandenong City is sixth and Springvale White Eagles sit in eighth.
The NPL goes on hiatus for a week as the NPL teams enter the FFA Cup qualifying rounds – the draw for the round 4 clashes will be held on Tuesday.
Following the cup clashes, Springvale will host Whittlesea Ranges, Dandenong Thunder will bring Sunshine George Cross down to George Andrews Reserve while Dandenong City will travel again this time to Werribee City.
In FFA Cup results, Round 3 of the Victorian Qualifiers was led by an impressive away victory from Doveton SC, smashing Myrtleford Savoy 3-0 – all the more clinical following a three-and-a-half hour drive to get to Savoy Park.
Casey Comets had to hold on against Warragul United, turning a 2-2 regulation finish into a 4-2 trouncing by the end of over-time while Langwarrin SC knocked over Berwick City 4-2.
Keysborough SC faced Northern Falcons on Sunday afternoon after the Journal went to print, while Endeavour Hills Fire will clash with Elwood City on Monday night and South Springvale commences its cup campaign with a Tuesday night battle against Moreland United at Warner Reserve.
In WNPL, Southern United faced FC Bulleen Lions in its first home clash on Sunday afternoon after the Journal went to print.
