By Nick Creely
NPL –
REVIEW – ROUND 27
Dandenong City’s promotion-ending loss to the Thunder three weeks ago seems to have zapped the energy out of the men at Frank Holohan Soccer Complex.
Albeit with a severely undermanned side on Friday night, the City fell 1-2 at home to the seventh placed Eastern Lions, their fourth loss in the last five matches.
With three new debutants and only four regular senior players, the Lions got on the board in the 12th minute via a goal to Shaun Kennedy and took a 1-0 lead into half time.
City’s defence broke down once again in the 48th minute when Kennedy once again found the back of the net, essentially ending the contest.
But City refused to give in, as their debutants provided a spark, and in the 63rd minute Shaun Filipovic brought the home side back to 1-2 and with a fighting chance of equalising the game.
The inexperience on the park proved costly in the end, with City unable to find anymore attacking opportunities, with the Lions able to hold firm defensively and maintain possession in the last 20 minutes.
The NPL2 East champions – Dandenong Thunder – drew 2-2 against Melbourne City FC on Saturday, as they continue to blood some players as they gear up for promotion in 2018.
The Thunder rolled out debutants Nicholas Ally, Mohamad Feizi and Alil Jeka for the match at Latrobe University, Bundoora.
Within the first 10 minutes, the Thunder flexed their promotional muscles to lead 2-0 via impressive goals to Brandon Barnes and Alon Blumgart, leaving City with plenty of work to do to avoid a massive defeat.
City were able to contain the Thunder for the rest of the half as the momentum began to slightly shift.
The home side then managed to kick two goals to equalize the game and share the points with the champs.
Thunder finish their historic home-and-away season with a match against Richmond at home on Saturday afternoon.
Admission to the match will be free, to celebrate the championship, with a family day and entertainment provided by the club.
Springvale White Eagles, meanwhile, ended their home season with a disappointing 1-2 loss to Murray United on Saturday.
It took just two minutes for United to hit the scoreboard.
United then tightened its defences as the Eagles pressed in attack, and in the 30th minute the home side managed to equalise.
United then struck only moments later to kick the match-winning goal, with no side able to find another point in the second half.
