By ROY WARD
SOUTHERN Stars claimed the biggest upset of the Victorian Premier League season with a 2-1 victory over previously unbeaten Dandenong Thunder at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex on Saturday night.
The newly promoted Stars had done it tough this season, taking some beatings from top sides, including a 4-0 loss to the Thunder. But the game on Saturday night showed they’ve now come of age in the top flight.
The Stars took an early lead with young striker David Stirton crushing home a through-ball. The Stars could have gone 2-0 up with Mark Leech missing a chance soon after.
But the Thunder didn’t rise to the top of the VPL without showing some fight, so it was no surprise when they equalised just before half-time with Luke Sherbon scoring a penalty after Nate Foster was brought down in the box.
Midway through the second half the Stars again took the lead with Alan Mulcahy getting on the end of several Stars’ passes before scoring what would be become the winner.
In the closing stages the Thunder threw everything at the Stars and missed several chances. The Stars could do no better on the counter-attack, failing to score the sealing goal.
But with the Stars taking all three points, coach Dean Hennessy couldn’t be happier. “To score two goals against Dandenong is a massive achievement. Without a doubt, the minute you become satisfied with where you are in the VPL, you get a rude awakening, so we have to remain focused on each game.”
Hennessy also praised Stirton for his persistence. “For young players in the VPL it’s difficult to back up each week and while his goals haven’t always been there, he keeps getting in the right places and I think he will keep improving just like the rest of our team.”
In State League 1, Dandenong City and Springvale White Eagles clashed with both sides desperate for the win. But neither could control the game and it ended 1-1, leaving both still in the relegation zone.
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