By JARROD POTTER
NPL VICTORIA 2 EAST – ROUND 12
SIX of the best flew past the Eastern Lions on Saturday night as Dandenong Thunder’s NPL 2 East rampage continued unabated.
After a cagey start, Thunder’s staggering NPL 2 East momentum cranked up once again as Brandon Barnes (12’, 26’, 27’, 80’) stole the show. There’s no other way to describe his domination of the Eastern defences to snare the double hat-trick – from his first touch up forward he scattered the Lions. Barnes slotted his first from a free-kick, after he was taken down carelessly, before ramming home two goals in two minutes to have a hat-trick in his pocket after only 28 minutes.
The Englishman didn’t just terrorise the Lions through the first half though; his rampage paid dividends to everyone around him as his almost-assists fed chances to the other strikers in a beguiling performance.
Barnes added his fourth – his 18th of the season so far in only nine games – late in the clash and the coach couldn’t be happier with the striker’s ability to deliver week-in, week-out.
“It’s fantastic for him as he did come late on in our pre-season – I think now he’s really finding his rhythm,” Thunder coach Huss Skenderovic said. “We’re giving him really simple tasks and he executes them … he’s got a combination of strength, speed and he’s got a left foot that’s a Rolls Royce.
“It’s really unbelievable and he never misses targets which is a nightmare for goalkeepers and you’ve just seen that – he gets four chances, he scores four goals.”
Barnes’ efforts were the icing on the cake from the hard work up the ground as Kristian Sarkies, Nick Modaffari and Daniel Bennett (90’) gave him constant opportunities throughout the night.
Even with the lopsided score line, goalkeeper Fraser Maclaren didn’t have it all his way in the Thunder net and had to scramble to make a couple of big saves early to maintain his clean-sheet.
Faisal Sahkizada was also impressive at central defence alongside Maclaren, holding together the back end as his usual defensive partner, and former Socceroo, Simon Colosimo is currently overseas on business.
While the score-line suggests domination from the first whistle, Skenderovic thought the match lay in the balance until the Barnes’ bonanza established the buffer.
“It started probably a little slower than what I expected – especially from us – I felt our shape and our position sense was actually poor,” Skenderovic said. “We were fortunate with the first goal – to score a free kick and you automatically see their heads drop.
“But that gave us a little bit of momentum, but I still think even up to the second, third goal it wasn’t as convincing as what I’d like … . but overall the second half was fantastic.”
“That’s the core balance that we have – so when someone like Simon (Colosimo) steps out for his work reasons … we’ve definitely got a lot of depth to cover it and that’s what makes our team as strong as it is.”
Thunder has established a five-point buffer on Kingston City, but has to head off for a hard task against in-form Springvale White Eagles in the other Dandy derby.
“We’ll be really focused on this game as we know they’re really good,” Skenderovic said. “I’ve seen them play and they are a very good footballing team, but we’ll go about our methods, our beliefs and our principles throughout the week.”
Everyone was up and about this weekend as Dandenong City and Springvale White Eagles also took huge wins across the NPL round.
Gonzalo Freddi (8’, 18’, 33’) shone early for City as Shaun Filipovic, Ash Cattermole, Jarrod Blackbourn and Dario Matkovic also hit the scoreboard against Nunawading City. The nice boost in goal-difference rockets City up to fourth, trailing Box Hill United ahead of a big clash between the sides on Saturday afternoon.
White Eagles’ trip to Murray was a rampage as John Pykett (12’, 60’) and Damir Stoilovic’s (15’ and 61’) race onto the score-sheet proved more exciting than the actual contest. Isaiah Joseph (37’) booted the other goal for Springvale, who now sit fifth on the ladder.
There’s life yet for South Springvale in the top of the state ranks, with Aris booting four unanswered goals over Mooroolbark SC. Nikolaos Galas struck two alongside other Aris’ scorers Konstantinos Daskalakis and Dean Panagopoulos.
Springvale City thumped Harrisfield 5-1 – as Armin Kerla added another two to his tally – while Keysborough booted a 4-1 win over Lyndale United – with Pablo Rodriguez, Gladwyn Roberts and Robert Mortaruolo scoring for the visitors.
Dandenong South claimed a 2-1 win over Hampton Park United, Endeavour Hills Fire drew 1-1 with East Brighton, Noble Park SC had a 2-2 draw with Skye United and Endeavour United claimed a 1-0 win over Bayside Argonauts.
