By Nick Creely
The Dandenong Thunder certainly haven’t done it easy in their return to top flight NPL football so far in 2018, but now they’re on the board.
In a tight tussle with Kingston City FC last Monday night at The Grange, the Thunder emerged victorious 0-1 to climb it’s way off the bottom of the NPL table after five tough rounds.
And the game against City was certainly full of heart stopping moments, and look no further than the opening moments of the clash, which in the end, was the game changer.
As both sides were looking to put the feelers out and gain some momentum, a horror moment from City turned the game – a devestating own goal.
Looking to switch to the other side of the ground in the 5th minute, City scrambled backwards, but City’s goalie Kile Kennedy misread the kick back to him, and it tumbled through the Thunder’s goal in a shock moment that stunned the vibrant home crowd.
Thunder – realising the advantage – stood firm in defence, and experienced goalie Fraser McLaren was like a wall, unable to be penetrated despite some attacking plays from the home side in the first half.
City certainly had some momentum in stages, but everytime they looked threatening, the steely resolve of the Thunder took over, and eventually they held on to claim their first three points of the NPL season, and it came at a crucial time.
After four consecutive losses to begin the season (Green Gully 1-2, Heidelberg United 1-0, South Melbourne 9-0 and Bentleigh Greens 1-3), pressure was certainly on Andy Vargas’ men to respond to a tough opening month against some of the finest sides in the NPL this season.
The Thunder earned a break over Easter, and return to George Andrews Reserve on Saturday 7 April in a vital home clash against Avondale FC, a side undefeated and in ominous touch.
Earlier in the evening, Kingston City FC defeated Dandenong Thunder in the NPLU20 clash at The Grange.
Both sides were unable to find the back of the net in a game dominated by terrific defence from both sides, but a late match winning goal to Fasile Aden from Kingston secured the vital win.
It was a tough loss for the Thunder, who now sit ninth on the U20 table, ahead of their home clash with Avondale FC on Saturday 7 April at George Andrews Reserve.
