By Roy Ward
DANDENONG Thunder’s goal kicking proved as frigid as the cold weather and the Victorian Premier League leaders fell to a 1-1 draw against Richmond at Kevin Bartlett Reserve on Friday night.
The Thunder, still unbeaten after 11 games, fell behind to a thunderbolt strike from Richmond midfielder Mate Eterovic in the 26th minute.
But from that point they dominated much of the remaining play, drawing level on 32 minutes through the cool head of Luke Sherbon, who smashed home Sean McIlroy’s set-up pass.
Yet despite repeated chances in the second half, the Thunder could not find a finish worthy of taking full points and were left to ponder how they could only draw with a home side who defended deep in their box and rarely threatened on the counter-attack.
Thunder coach Chris Taylor said his players had not finished off their good work. “I think if we had taken the lead then we may have had a big score,” he said. “But if you don’t finish you can’t expect to win and we had probably eight good chances to win it and couldn’t take any of them.”
Taylor said midfielder Matt Theodore, who missed the match, looked likely to miss at least another week or two due to a hamstring strain.
Richmond coach Michael Chatzitrifonos said his side was well worth a point. “I’m thrilled with a point considering how our form has been over the last month,” he said. “We had a late chance there as well; I thought Michael Catalano’s late shot had gone in, but it hadn’t.”
The Thunder visit Southern Stars at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex at 7pm this Saturday.
For more pictures from the Dandenong v Richmond game, click on multimedia Gallery link at upper right.
For all the latest breaking news, visit greaterdandenongweekly.com.au. Follow the Greater Dandenong Weekly on Twitter @DandenongWeekly.
