A big week of fixtures in NPL2 East saw Dandenong Thunder get the better of fierce rivals Springvale White Eagles in a tight contest to make it 13 wins from 13. Kingston City continued their chase of the relentless league leaders with a crucial 2-1 victory over Brunswick City, while Box Hill United consolidated third by securing all three points against fourth-placed Dandenong City. Goulburn Valley Suns moved into fifth following a narrow triumph over the Eastern Lions, while this week’s feel-good story was Nunawading City claiming their first ever win in the NPL by defeating Murray United.
***
- Damey inspires Nunawading to shock 3-1 win over Murray; their first in the NPL
Nunawading City claimed a coveted inaugural victory in the NPL era thanks to a 3-1 win over Murray United, their first in 41 games for a club who had not won a competitive fixture since 2014. The visitors may have been forgiven for having their minds set on their midweek FFA Cup fixture against Bentleigh, and were made to pay in the 19th minute when Emile Damey scored the opener against his former club. The lead did not last long as Lewis Greenwood equalised for James Coutts’ men 10 minutes later. However, the hosts were not to be denied as recent Liberian national-team call up Damey struck his second of the contest just before the hour, before Dan Gatherole ensured all three points in injury time with this first of the season prompting jubilant scenes at Mahoneys Reserve.
- Two late strikes enough for Box Hill United to defeat Dandenong City 2-0
Box Hill United are unbeaten in their past seven league outings after late goals from Rinor Muriqi and Michael Kariuki proved to be the difference against Dandenong City, who suffered their first defeat in four games. Both sides struggled to muster many opportunities in a cagey opening first half. The visitors came out of the half-time break the better of the two teams, with Halil Gur and Shaun Filipovic squandering two volleys over the goal, before United substitute Kazuki Okada scuffed a great opportunity by failing to get around City custodian Damir Salcin. But it was to be another substitute who would influence proceedings as Michael Kariuki won his side a spot-kick late. Former Dandenong City attacker Muriqi stepped up to score his fifth of the campaign, before Kariuki added a second at the depth, as Greg Kassidas’ side look ahead to a big game at home next week when they host Kingston City.
- Goulburn undefeated in three after Galliard goal sees off Eastern Lions
Goulburn Valley Suns secured a 2-1 win over a depleted Eastern Lions side in Shepparton on Sunday afternoon. Nick Kalafatis’ men headed into the clash on the back of securing the prized signature of former Heidelberg and Central Coast forward Dan Heffernan, who had agreed terms with the regional outfit a day earlier. On the park, Suns captain Cody Sellwood opened the deadlock 10 minutes before the break with his second of the season. However, a youthful Lions outfit ensured the two sides would go into the half-time interval locked at a goal apiece when midfielder Ryan Losty struck in stoppage time. However, the hosts re-took the lead through Anthony Galliard in the 76th minute, in what was the Frenchman’s fourth league goal to date. Despite some late pressure for an equaliser, Goulburn held firm to jump up to fifth in the conference standings ahead of next week’s home tie against Springvale.
- Kingston remain four points behind the league leaders after beating Brunswick 2-1
Kingston City remain four points behind first place after defeating Brunswick City 2-1 at the Grange Reserve on Monday night. Two goals early in the opening half did the job for Nick Tolios men who secured their 10th victory over the season. Playmaker Velibor Mitrovic scored goal number nine of his campaign in the third minute after his shot beat Brunswick custodian Wesley Coles at the near post. Makeshift centre-back Hamish Millar then added a second in the 17th minute as his close-range header from the set-piece saw the hosts take a comfortable advantage. Despite having numerous opportunities to add to the scoreline, Kingston fluffed their chances in a game which threated to boil over on a number of occasions. Adam Wright bundled in his sixth of the season in stoppage time to halve the deficit, although the goal proved to be mere consolation as the home side secured all three points.
- Springvale’s five game winning streak comes to an end as the Thunder juggernaut rolls on
A first-header from Dandenong Thunder defender Faisal Sakhizada saw off the challenge of the in-form Springvale White Eagles in a front of a large crowd at White Eagles Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Afghan international got his head to a pinpoint set-piece from Kristian Sarkies in the 17th minute as Huss Skenderovic’s men took a precious 1-0 lead into the break, with winger Daniel Bennett coming close to securing a second. Undeterred, the hosts kept pushing for an equaliser, with former Thunder players Damir Stoilovic and Isaiah Joseph looking dangerous in attack. Up the other end, the Springvale defence did well to keep star striker Brandon Barnes goalless for the first time in eight games, while also nullifying the threat of Amir Osmancevic. Despite late pressure for the Eagles, the Thunder held on for all three points in their toughest encounter of the season, stretching their winning run to 13 games while condemning Nik Kovacevic to his first defeat as Springvale manager.
Image: Frank Khamees