Eastern Lions’ number one Rob Havercroft made himself a hero, grabbing a 94th minute equaliser to salvage a 2-2 draw against Dandenong City at Frank Holohan Soccer Complex.
In one of the most dramatic contests in NPL2 history, City thought they’d found their winner after skipper John Carroll tapped home from close range in injury time.
However when given the signal to push forward from a corner kick, Lions’ imposing keeper Havercroft made no mistake, powering home at the second time of asking, having initially hit the upright with his first attempt.
The manner of the equaliser added to the theatre of the contest, with Lions coach Jimmy Williams drawing comparisons to the Liverpool vs. Borussia Dortmund and Melbourne Victory vs. Brisbane Roar games.
The opening two goals also came in quick succession, Dandenong taking just 12 minutes to get onto the scoresheet through Anthony Cassar.
Ash Cattermole showed great strength on the left wing to hold off a marker, before angling a switch ball from the half-way line towards Cassar, who made a beeline towards the centre of the pitch.
His through ball spotted Gonzalo Freddi who saw his shot initially saved by Havercroft, only for Cassar to stroke home on the second attempt.
Eastern Lions caught their opponents off guard from kick-off – not to be the first time in the contest – as they bolted down the right wing before earning a free-kick in a dangerous area.
With a trio of players sitting over the ball, two provided dummy runs for Sam Burfoot to swing in a cross from the set-piece, spotting Cameron Neales to glance home with a deft touch from close range.
Dandenong City worked to close down the space in which the Lions had to operate, in a game which saw plenty of the play funnel through the middle of the pitch.
The impressive Halil Gur was forced into some no nonsense defending for City on his return to the starting line-up, while Michael Jones added plenty of tenacity to the Lions midfield.
The latter poked narrowly wide on the stroke of half-time, failing to convert from Munyaradzi Nyadzayo’s lay-off inside the penalty area.
Chances were kept at a premium in the second half as well; Havercroft forced into a couple of saves in quick succession early on in the term.
A defensive error from Carroll saw the centre-half loop the ball backwards, gifting Cameron Neales a glorious chance to break the deadlock.
He scuffed his shot however under little pressure, with Gur importantly coming through to sweep clear.
Enes Sivic was pushing hard for a winner, and created a number of good chances in injury time with his delivery from the right flank.
But he looked on in frustration as Freddi and Cattermole misread his crosses, as they failed to hit the target from good opportunities.
Substitute Keegan Ziada was able to force a shot on goal, but Havercroft was up to the challenge, producing a brilliant smothering save late on in the piece.
Just minutes later and they’d taken the lead through Carroll, only for Havercroft to find the back of the net for the first time in his senior career.
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Match Details
Dandenong City 2 (Cassar 12’, Carroll 90+1) drew with Eastern Lions 2 (Neales 14’, Havercroft 90+4′) at Frank Holohan Soccer Complex [HT: 1-1]
Dandenong City: 1. Damir SALCIN (GK), 6. John CARROLL, 10.Gonzalo FREDDI, 12. Shaun FILIPOVIC, 8. Dario MATKOVIC, 20. Enes SIVIC, 4. Luke BURGESS, 9. Ash CATTERMOLE, 3. Halil GUR, 11. Andres JEREZ, 13. Anthony CASSAR (7. Keegan ZIADA 61’)
Substitute(s):, 17. David MOROVIC, 19. Erkan FILIZ, 16. Jarrod BLACKBOURNE, 21. Jack PIGNATA
Eastern Lions: 1. Robert HAVERCROFT, 2. William Ellis, 3. Slavisa SARIC, 4. Michael JONES, 5. Thomas FALCONER, 7. Ziggy RAZUKI, 9. Cameron NEALES, 11. Munyaradzi NYADZAYO, 12. Matthew COLLIER, 14. Sam BURFOOT, 15. Yianni TOUMANIDIS (10. Phil AJAO 64’)
Substitute(s): 16. Shaun KENNY, 6. Ryan LOSTY, 8. Mitch BEAMISH, 28. Will MEADOWS