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Thunder heap misery on Saints

Sunday, May 22, 2011

by

ST.ALBANS SAINTS – DANDENONG THUNDER 0-3 (0-1)

St. Albans nightmare run in the Victorian Premier League has continued following its 0-3 defeat at the hands of fourth placed Dandenong Thunder on Sunday at Churchill Reserve. In front of around 400 supporters the home side failed to create any clear cut chances as their hopes of avoiding relegation look increasingly unlikely.

In the opening stages of the match both sides showed a lack of creativity providing a dull contest as the two teams laid the tackles early in an attempt to gain momentum in the match. The first opportunity to open the scoring fell to Thunder youngster Mathew Theodore who’s volley from a Liam Kearney cross was deflected for a corner.

With the home side failing to keep possession and continually losing the ball it was the visitors who inevitably opened the scoring. In the 20th minute Theodore sent in a low cross from the right which found captain Veton Korcari in the six yard box who neatly laid the ball off to Liam Kearney to coolly slot past goalkeeper Pavlovic.

Following the goal both sides continued the battle in the midfield; keeping their ground and trying to pressurise the opposition to make a mistake. The home side's first chance of the contest came in the 35th minute and it must be said it was a great build up play as Demo and Visevic combined for a neat one-two, leading to a Visevic effort on goal which was straight at Thunder 'keeper Stuart Webster.

Thunder almost doubled their lead just before the break, a Theodore corner causing havoc in the six yard box as the Saints defence failed to clear immediately and had to rely on the big presence of goalkeeper Pavlovic to prevent another goal.

In the second period the visitors yet again looked the sharper side as they pushed forward to find that second goal. That moment arrived in the 65th minute. This time goal scorer turned provider as Liam Kearney sent in a lovely cross which was met by Theodore in the box who easily finished past Pavlovic.

The goal all but sealed the points for the Thunder and although not playing their best football they managed to score a third through Luke Sherbon with a great free-kick in the 92nd minute.

With the win Dandenong remain in fourth only three points off the pace while St. Albans season keeps getting worse as they remain at the bottom of the VPL on three points. Next week, St. Albans travel to John Cain Reserve to face Northcote City and Dandenong Thunder host last season's runner up Richmond at George Andrews Reserve.

St Albans Saints: 1. Steven PAVLOVIC, 5. Brian CHESSON, 8. Liam CANNELL, 10. Stefan PIORKOWSKI, 11. Matthew DEMO, 15. Louis FENTON, 16. Tomislav USKOK, 17. Daniel VISEVIC, 19. Michael GRGIC, 21. Martin HANA, 22. Neven ANTIC.

Dandenong Thunder: 1. Stuart WEBSTER, 2. Jack HINGERT, 3. Ben HARRISON, 5. Steven GRAY, 6. Acim TOMIC, 8. Matthew THEODORE, 9. Veton KORCARI, 13. Shane REXHEPI, 17. Liam KEARNEY, 20. Luke SHERBON, 23. Chris TAYLOR.