By JARROD POTTER
NPL 2 VICTORIA – ROUND 16
THE streak is over.
Dandenong Thunder’s spree to start 2016 has been capped at 15 after Whittlesea Ranges held the visiting Dandy boys to an intense 3-3 draw.
From the heights of 2-0 up early on – following a pair of great goals via Veton Korcari (26’) and Kristian Sarkies (48’) – Dandenong was left to endure a nightmare second half.
The first for the Ranges was mired in controversy as free kicks and a penalty kick was awarded against Faisal Sakhizada to give the hosts their opener.
Dandenong copped the brunt of the referee’s whistle throughout the afternoon, with five yellow cards going in the book when the dust settled.
The hosts booted three goals in the blink of an eye to leave the visitors staring down the barrel of defeat for the first time in 2016.
The Ranges charged to boot two more in rapid succession, but Thunder had an ace left up its sleeve.
Enter Brandon Barnes (85’).The mercurial Englishman divided the Ranges’ defence to boot the Thunder back to level pegging.
Korcari almost stole the victory with a dying minutes’ header, but it fizzed over the crossbar, leaving the result deadlocked at the final whistle.
“Was like a boxing match and at the end of the day I enjoyed it,” Thunder coach Huss Skenderovic said. “They had two breaks, played counterattacking football similar to us – broke, scored, scored again and it was mayhem for last 20 minutes as we tried to catch up.
“The best teams in the world drop games though – no team ever wins 100 per cent.
“To go away and play under those circumstances and to come away with a point there against a top team like that, we’re still happy.”
Dandenong City fared similarly against Bendigo City, forced into accepting a 2-2 draw at home.
Luke Burgess (13’) and Dario Matkovic (77’) booted City’s goals as the match heated up towards the end, with three yellow cards given out for the hosts in the last 20 minutes.
Springvale White Eagles were the only Dandenong-based NPL side to sing the song after a 2-1 triumph over Ballarat Red Devils. John Pykett (74’) was the Springvale saviour, getting free at the back post late in the day to steal the points after Damir Stoilovic (56’) added his eighth goal of the season to his tally.
Kingston City has closed the gap – with only two points separating them from the Thunder atop the NPL 2 Victoria East ladder – heading into round 17.
Springvale White Eagles host Werribee City, Dandenong Thunder plays Ballarat Red Devils under lights on Saturday night while Dandenong City travels to battle North Geelong Warriors.
In the state leagues South Springvale fell 1-4 to Frankston Pines, ending a mid-season purple patch for Aris. Noble Park United was put to the sword 1-3 by Doncaster Rovers. Noble Park SC defeated Harrisfield 3-0, Endeavour Hills Fire had a 3-3 draw with Skye United, while Sandown Lions and Dandenong Warriors both lost.
