South and Thunder play out goalless draw

Sunday afternoon VPL football saw this season’s two heavyweights, South Melbourne and Dandenong Thunder play out a scoreless draw in a hard fought battle from the first minute until the very last.

Coming into the game Dandenong Thunder have had to overcome off-field issues, where the club was fined $8,000 and deducted 6 championship points following incidents which occurred in the Round Nine clash against Bentleigh Greens.

The hosts on the other hand have had their own issues coming into the game as star player Carl Recchia was ruled out due to injury, while the defensive pair of Steven O’Dor and Ljubo Milicevic also missing out due to injury and suspension respectively.

With key players ruled out for this clash, South Melbourne approached this clash very cautiously with the opening 10 minutes both sides sharing possession of the football.

It was the Thunder who had the first chance of the game as captain Veton Korcari was played through brilliantly, however his effort could only find the side netting.

With South’s vulnerable back line Dandenong could sense an opening, taking control of the contest and continuing to press forward in an attempt to find an opening goal. However it was to no avail.

The visitors pressure almost payed off on two separate occasions; firstly, midfielder Liam Kearney dribbled past two South defender’s before having a shot on goal which went inches over the bar. It was only six minutes later where Kearney again troubled the host’s defence, this time with a brilliant cross which was met by Taylor who’s headed effort was well wide of the goal.

In the remaining minutes of the first period South Melbourne continued to hold their ground ensuring the scores remained level at the break.

The second period began just the way the first was played out. Liam Kearney continuing to haunt the home side with his first opportunity a nice lob which was cleared by Payne in the box, and a second effort which saw his beautifully struck volley saved by Deroune.

As the period wore on, South Melbourne began to open up which led to their first threat on goal as midfielder Gasparis played through De Moraes who’s effort on goal was off target. With his experience the home crowd expected De Moraes to give South the lead. It was not long before De Moraes repaid the favour with an exquisite through ball to Gasparis who’s powerful strike flew inches over the bar.

As the time was running down both sides had failed attempts at goal with Dandenong substitute Barnes coming closest to finding the back of the net with a well struck volley. Nonetheless Deroune stood up to the challenge and brilliantly saved Barnes’s attempt.

As the final whistle sounded, South Melbourne was the happier of the sides as they came into the match missing six starting players and still managing to keep a clean sheet. On the other hand the visitors will look at this as three points lost, failing to capitalise on the home sides absentees.

Next week South Melbourne come up against Northcote City while Dandenong Thunder play host to leaders Oakleigh in what should be a great game at George Andrews Reserve.

SOUTH MELBOURNE – Abdelhadi DEROUNE, Rhodri PAYNE, Daniel VASILEVSKI, Steven TOPALOVIC, Gianni DE NITTIS, Fernando DE MORAES, Marinos GASPARIS, Trent WATERSON, Nick JACOBS, Jake VANDERMAY, Bobby RUSSELL.

DANDENONG THUNDER – Stuart WEBSTER, Jack HINGERT, Ben HARRISON, Steven GRAY, Shane REXEPI, Agim TOMIC, Mathew THEODORE, Luke SHERBON, Chris TAYLOR, Veton KORCARI, Liam KEARNEY