By ROY WARD
DANDENONG provided the rain and Melbourne Victory the goals in their preseason match at George Andrews Reserve last Tuesday.
The Victory beat Victorian Premier League leaders Dandenong Thunder 4-1 as heavy rain blanketed the ground before the game and during the first half, leaving several large puddles on the pitch and forcing most of the spectators to take shelter under the grandstand.
Despite the rain and the cold, well over a thousand spectators turned up for the clash that pitted the A-League glamour club against the Thunder, who remain the favourite to claim the VPL title.
As both sides adjusted to the slippery conditions, Victory striker Danny Allsopp got into the box early and drew a mistimed tackle that earned the visitors a penalty.
Allsopp stepped up to take the free shot, giving Thunder keeper Stuart Webster no chance with a drive into the top left corner of the goal.
Neither side could manage many more shots at goal and a deep puddle at the clubrooms end stopped a few promising Victory moves by sucking in the ball.
The game was locked 1-0 at the main break and the Thunder withdrew leading goalscorer Luke Sherbon and other senior players in place of fringe senior players.
Leigh Broxham doubled Victory’s lead early in the half, tapping home a spilt catch from the Thunder keeper.
A little later, talented Thunder midfielder Feston Azizi chested down a well-placed pass, found himself one on one with Tando Velaphi and touched home a low shot to score Thunder’s only goal.
Victory reserve Julian Davies found two late tap-ins to bolster the result.
Thunder coach Chris Taylor said Azizi’s goal was just reward as the player had suffered injury interruptions during the season.
“We went on the cautious side, not playing a few lads and giving a few others just 30 minutes on field.”
“But it was a buzz for the younger guys to see where they stand against A-League players and it’s good for the club to host the Victory.”
