Dandenong Thunder make it two from two

Dandenong Thunder continued their great start to the 2012 Victorian Premier League season with a convincing 3-0 victory over Hume City at Epping Stadium on Friday night.

The Thunder took the lead in the 11th minute and never looked like losing from that point on. Canadian import Nate Foster was at his dangerous best, running the show by claiming another goal and an assist while Luke Sherbon continued to prove his worth with two late goals to seal the win.

With both teams playing a large amount of long balls, Dandenong did attempt to play out from the back at times and in the end it was their ability to keep possession and do something with it that was the difference between the sides.

Despite a stop-start opening Thunder were the ones who opened the scoring early when a deflected save off a Sean McIlroy shot fell to Foster who followed up with a finish into the bottom corner. It was the third goal in only three halves of football for the former Ottawa player and he should have added to his tally soon after, choosing the wrong option on three occasions before half time; each time looking to pass when the goal was begging.

Despite both the field position and chances going the way of the Thunder, they simply couldn't take any further advantage with the two teams going into the shed with the score remaining at 1-0.

Hume came bursting out of the blocks in the second half with a glut of possession, pushing Thunder deeper and deeper into their own territory and it seemed only a matter of time before they equalised until a lapse of concentration cost them dearly.

With the entire Hume City side pushing up in attack, a bad touch led to a loss of possession and when an instant long ball from the Thunder defence found Foster in full sprint at the opposite end of the pitch, the home side was in trouble. Foster though, had no support and the raid looked to have ended until a brain-snap by Hume's Jarryd Barnes saw him barge the striker over to concede a penalty.

Sherbon promptly put the spot-kick away to give Thunder a 2-0 lead and end Hume's fight back as quickly as it had begun.

The match was effectively over from that point with the Hume players giving up and Dandenong taking their foot off the pedal.

As the match approached the final five minutes, Dandy fans were in full voice and had even more reason to cheer as Sherbon grabbed his second to end the match on a high and make it an away trip to remember for the Thunder faithful.

Dandenong Head Coach Chris Taylor was pleased with his side’s victory but pointed to the lack of a finishing touch as something to improve on.

"We created a number of good chances, and although we scored three it should have been double that," said Taylor.

"It's a long way until the finals, but it has been important for us to get two good wins and to have our new players gel so quickly."

With all sides getting next weekend off due to the Easter Holiday, Hume will get an extra week to regroup before a winnable game against Northcote City. Dandenong meanwhile will be hoping to continue their form and inflict more damage on Melbourne Knights when the Victorian Premier League resumes.


Match Details:

Hume City: 1. Chris OLDFIELD (GK), 3. Ben HARRISON, 4. Isyan ERDOGAN ©, 7. Atilla OFLI (8. Jose GUERRUERO 78’), 9. Pece SIVESKI (37. Bobby VIDANOSKI 66’), 11. Nick HEGARTY, 12. Jarryd BARNES, 15. Zoran PETREVSKI, 17. Phillip RICCOBENE, 20. Archie TOMIC, 22. Howard FONDYKE

Subs Not Used: 2. Adam CENTOFANTI, 18. Evan VAN DER BYL (GK), 41. Cem CIL

Yellow Cards: Tomic (37’), Barnes (66’), Riccobene (90+1’)

Dandenong Thunder: 1. Stewart WEBSTER (GK), 3. Andrew MULLETT, 5. Anthony BRAN, 7. Liam KEARNEY, 8. Matthew THEODORE, 9. SEAN MCILROY (17. Hamlet ARMENIAN 72’), 11. Iqbal JAWADI (6. Ross THOMPSON 65’), 13. Shane REXHEPI ©, 14. Craig ELVIN, 19. Nate FOSTER (18. Adam CASEY 81’), 20. Luke SHERBON

Subs Not Used: 12. Shpetim MALA, 21. Zaim ZENELI (GK)

Goals: Foster (11’), Sherbon (52’ (pen), 85’)

Yellow Cards: Bran (55’)

Courtesy of Football Federation Victoria.