Photo: Australian Sporting Photos
Although a Dandenong Thunder title triumph seemed just a mere formality a month ago, the NPL2 East could well just seen title favouritism finally trade hands the way of Kingston City after a crazy Saturday of results. Will this be the weekend that is reflected on in two month’s time, when the dust has settled on this season?
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Kingston steer destiny into own hands
The title is now in Kingston City’s hands after claiming a 3-0 win over regional outfit Murray United at the Grange Reserve.
Wind plagued the state’ South-East suburbs, which made for tough playing conditions in the opening half, as both sides posted a scoreless first 45 minutes.
The second half saw the game open up, as Damian Iaconis netted twice in the second half, his first coming in the 65th minute from a Mouad Zwed cross into the area, which he dispatched from close range.
He then tapped home again from close range after Zdenek Koukal’s free-kick rattled the crossbar and deflected back to the young forward.
Koukal repeated the dose with another free-kick on 83 minutes which was this time worked in by Velibor Mitrovic for his side’s third after the Murray keeper failed to hold onto the ball.
Thunder unable to breach steely City defence
At the same time on Saturday afternoon, Dandenong Thunder fell to a second loss in three games in a 1-0 result against Brunswick City.
It was the first time the Thunder were kept scoreless in a competitive game all season, although they did have their chances to impact the scoreboard.
Brandon Barnes had his chance to draw level from the penalty spot in the first half, but saw his shot from 12-yards saved by keeper Wesley Coles.
Former Avondale winger Andrew Le Page had previously given Brunswick the lead in just the fifth minute, with a brilliant lobbed effort, which saw them climb to fourth on the NPL2 East ladder.
Brunswick’s afternoon was soured with the news that defender Hayden Kanjo suffered a horrific broken ankle, with everyone in the community hoping for a speedy recovery.
The loss for Thunder sees Kingston draw level in the title race, with it all to play for when the two sides meet in three rounds time, the winner likely to earn automatic promotion.
The Thunder are still in the box seat to earn promotion, if it can round out the season without dropping a point, with a draw against Kingston City not the worst result given their superior goal difference.
Springvale claim second straight three-goal win
The Springvale White Eagles laboured to a resounding 3-0 win over bottom-placed Nunawading City at White Eagles Stadium.
A slow start from Springvale saw the visitors have the best opportunity to open the scoring when Keegan King’s close-range shot was well saved by Lajos Oliveira.
Just as it looked like the two sides would head into the half-time break scoreless, White Eagles defender Marcus Holmes rose highest to meet John Pykett’s corner and header the ball past Jason Koutsodontis for the lead, which was doubled five minutes into the second half.
Damir Stoilovic pounced on a defensive mistake from the visitors to slot home his 13th goal in 23 league outings this campaign with a well taken strike. Substitute Milan Jovanovic rattled the crossbar late on as the three points were sealed when teenager Isaiah Joseph tucked away his fourth of the season for Springvale.
It marks the second successive 3-0 triumph in the space of seven days for the White Eagles, who’s last came against Box Hill United.
City bounce back with win over Lions
Dandenong City have bounced back from the disappointment of last week’s loss to Kingston City by defeating Eastern Lions 2-1 at Gardiners Creek Reserve.
Having opened the scoring at the wrong end against Kingston City last weekend, defender Halil Gur ghosted into the box to steer home from a corner kick to give City a first half lead.
Ziggy Razuki equalised for the Lions with a stunning strike from the left wing, across the face of goals, only for more late drama to strike as a cruel deflection off Tommy Falconer from the head of Keegan Ziada saw the ball bundle into the Eastern net for what proved to be the winner.
It keeps Dandy comfortably in third place with a comfortable buffer either side of them as they close out a decent league campaign.
Late equaliser earns Box Hill share of spoils
A first ever senior goal to Steven Hrgota has earned Box Hill United a score draw away to Goulburn Valley Suns on Sunday afternoon.
Daniel Heffernan netted his sixth goal since linking up with the Shepparton-based outfit mid-season to put his side into a ninth minute lead.
Substitute Hrgota then popped up in the 85th minute to draw level, with that goal keeping Box Hill above the Suns on the NPL2 East ladder.