By JARROD POTTER
LUCK favoured the visitors on Friday night with Melbourne Knights solidifying their spot near the top of the Victorian Premier League with a 1-0 win over Dandenong Thunder.
Thunder will have been left red-faced in the loss at home – as most of the possession and the best chances for the rain-soaked night were generated by their players.
The rain and wind made even simple tasks like seeing the lines difficult – with Knights’ keeper Chris May gathering up a questionable ball that may have been outside the box in the 34th minute.
The rain subsided but the shots kept bucketing down on the Knights’ goal – Thunder captain Shane Rexhepi connected with a beautiful cross to Sean McIlroy, which required a strong save by May to keep out of the net.
A hat-tip goes to Thunder starting debutant Kieran Dover – who tirelessly ran in the less than optimal conditions and made a crucial goal-line save that went past Dandenong’s keeper Zaim Zeneli.
Further chances to Eric Frazier and McIlroy weren’t capitalised on and the Thunder managed to concede an embarrassing goal late in regulation time.
The go-ahead Melbourne Knights goal came late for the visitors – with Andrew Barisic latched onto a defensive error from Rexhepi – a poor header to the keeper which the Knights’ striker stole and slotted in the net in the 81st minute.
Dandenong sits eighth, on the same points as ninth placed Oakleigh, and travels to Northcote City on Sunday for a must-win match to keep their finals hopes alive.
In State League 2 SE results, Dandenong City cliniched a 2-1 win over Langwarrin, Springvale White Eagles stayed atop with a 1-0 job away to Malvern City, South Springvale’s Billy Damianos and Noble Park United fell 2-3 to Mornington SC.
