Image: Dion Fountas Photography
‘If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again,’ was a proverb coined by British writer William Edward Hickson in the 19th century, and in St Albans’ case the pursuit of a first league victory in 2017 lasted seven rounds.
It took 88 minutes for the match-winning strike from Matt Cundari and a nervy few minutes until the final whistle, but Kruni Razov’s men finally had a reason to celebrate.
In the process it takes the club off the foot of the ladder, replaced by North Geelong – the only club remaining without a win.
Dinamo are now on four points, just a point off South Melbourne and Bulleen Lions in 11th and 12th respectively, with Port Melbourne in 10th on seven. So the difference isn’t that great in the lower echelons of the table.
This result was made all the more impressive as it came against 2016 grand finalists Oakleigh Cannons who just last week looked to have launched their own campaign with a first win of the season against South Melbourne after successive draws. Now they have a first defeat and are also still on seven points albeit with a game in hand.
The contest wasn’t the prettiest but it was a gritty performance from the home side and, most pleasing for Razov, yielded a clean sheet. The visitors’ profligacy meant Chris May didn’t have his work cut out, though he was reliable when called upon.
But it were the hosts who had the better of the chances, vice-captain Michael Grgic coming closest in the first half by rattling the woodwork in his 100th appearance for the club.
Joey Monek was also dangerous but his radar was off, epitomised when Cannons’ custodian failed to clear his lines after rushing out of his box, but the winger’s lob missed the net.
He made amends for the winner as it was his run down the left wing and cutback that found Cundari for an easy tap in, prompting pandemonium along the sidelines.
The three points are a small bump in the club’s fortunes at this point and there is still plenty of improvement required until the club propels itself out of the relegation dogfight, but the hope is that the taste of victory acts as a springboard for a sustained run of results, starting with a trip away to fellow promoted side Kingston City, whose start to life in the top tier has been much more prosperous.
Oakleigh’s run doesn’t get much easier, on the road to face Green Gully next week whose courageous comeback resulted in an incredible 4-4 draw with South Melbourne.