By Nick Creely
NPL 2 EAST
REVIEW – ROUND 24
Dandenong Thunder have that innate ability to continue to stun and amaze.
Their latest triumph over Eastern Lions 1-0 on Saturday down at Gardiners Creek Reserve may seem stock standard and one not to remember for those outside the four walls of the club.
But ask the boys down at George Andrews Reserve, and they’ll tell you a completely differently story.
It was the day the Thunder leapfrogged crosstown rivals, Dandenong City, at the top of the ladder for the first time.
And they seem destined for promotion into the top tier as of next season.
The win came off the back of a brilliant strike by leader Veton Korcari on the stroke of half time, before the defence did their job and held on for a famous win.
With just four rounds to go, the Thunder must be pinching themselves as the big and juicy rewards for a season of hard work sit within touching distance on the horizon.
To fully understand the significance, Friday night’s Dandenong City draw with Box Hill United 2-2 needs to be explored.
At home, against a bottom four side, it should have been a regulation win for the competition’s most damaging football side – when at their very best.
But an off night defensively – saved by two goals of their own – saw them fail to gain the full amount of points to jump clear on top, leaving the door ajar for the Thunder.
Although it must be said the City are ravaged by injury at the moment, they had a fully fit side on the park when Box Hill got the early jump in the seventh minute.
Daniel Visevic equalized the game in the 23rd minute, before Dandy lost David Stirton to injury, handing a debut to Luis Nekic.
Only moments later, another injury to Brad Clarke left the City down two important players as they entered the half time break.
A fantastic strike by Shaun Filipovic in the 55th minute gave City the 2-1 edge, and the potential to avoid a tough night from becoming disaster.
But Box Hill found the equalizer only moments later to square the ledger, a scoreline that couldn’t be added to despite both sides giving it plenty in the second half.
Round 25 sees Dandenong City travel up to face Murray United in Albury and Thunder host Goulburn Valley Suns.
Springvale White Eagles, meanwhile, scored an impressive 3-2 victory over the struggling Nunawading FC. The Eagles – as a result of the strong victory – now jump into fifth spot, displacing Murray United who fell 0-1 to Richmond on the same day.
Springvale faces Box Hill at Wembley Park as it continues its late season flurry
