Hume and Dandenong share spoils

On Saturday afternoon Hume City and Dandenong Thunder played a 1-1 draw at Broadmeadows Valley Park in what was expected to be a great match that ended up providing nothing more than intense, dull and cautious football.

The contest began with both sides struggling to create a chance, providing a very tense opening with weak efforts from both Stott Ashley for the Thunder and Atilla Ofli for Hume the only highlights of the opening twenty minutes.

Both sides attempted to hold possession in the midfield, taking a very slow approach in the match until the visitors opened the scoring. In the thirty-first minute new Thunder signing Scott Webster provided a great cross from the right which was met by Tomic who leaped highest to head in the opener that left Lupce Acevski with little chance.

The goal was the only real opportunity throughout the first period, with Pece Sivevski's long range effort which was well saved by Webster the closest the home side came to an equaliser.

Things could have gone further sour for the home side when Dilizia lost possession of the ball at the back, handing Theadore an opportunity to double the lead, however his effort was straight at goalkeeper Acevski.

The second half began with an early chance for Dandenong who were pressing early for a second goal. Liam Kearney with a cross from the right side was not cleared by the home defence which led the ball to the feet of Taylor who’s effort was straight at the 'keeper.

Another mistake at the back this time by Pistinzi almost handed the visitors a second. Pistinzi failed to clearly read the ball which allowed Tomic to have an effort on goal that was blasted over the bar.

Hume City eventually found the equaliser with their first chance of the half, as a cross by 17 year old Atilla Ofli was headed down by Pace to the feet of Cardozo who easily struck home to level the contest.

In the latter stages both sides had chances to take all three points, firstly the visitors through Ashley Stott who hit the post with a bouncing header over keeper Lupce Acevski which the home defence failed to clear, and then with four minutes remaining Hume City through Andy Vlahos who could have stolen the points but his effort from a tight angle was narrowly wide.

Hume and Dandenong had to settle for a 1-1 draw which places further emphasis on both teams' upcoming fixtures, facing tricky away ties against Northcote and Heidelberg City respectively following next weeks byes.

Hume City: Lupce ACEVSKI (Kenny GEROH 80th min), Steven PACE, Serdar PIR, Fab DILIZIA (Andy VLAHOS 54th min), Isyan ERDOGAN, Pece SIVESKI, Richie CARDOZO, Atilla OFLI, Zoran PETREVSKI, Ross THOMPSON ( Dusko DELIC 61st min), Mark PISTINZI.

Dandenong Thunder: Stuart WEBSTER, Jack HINGERT, Ben HARRISON, Steven GRAY, Acim TOMIC, Mathew THEADORE (Jaryd BARNES 70TH min), Shane REXHEPI, Scott WEBSTER, Liam KEARNEY, Stott ASHLEY, Chris TAYLOR.