Image: The Man in the Stands
In NPL2 East, neither of the top three sides gained any considerable ground in the race to the top, though Thunder’s lead at the top now sits at two full games after a 1-1 draw with third placed Dandenong City. Kingston meanwhile still hold a 10-point lead over City in spite of losing 2-1 to Eastern Lions. Elsewhere, Brunswick enjoyed a win over Springvale, Box Hill were left frustrated by Murray, while Goulburn Valley consolidated fourth spot with a win over Nunawading.
5. Brunswick end five draw streak with Springvale win
After consecutive draws, Brunswick City finally broke the run on a positive note, winning 2-1 at home over the Springvale White Eagles. However it didn’t look like it was going to unfold that way early when a good passing move led to a Milan Jovanovic goal in the 27th minute. Yet Adam Wright struck not long later, beating out two defenders to a bouncing ball to break through and strike past Lajos Hun in goals. Andrew le Page struck what was to be the winner in the 68th minute, tucking home a cutback to leave his side victorious.
4. Four-goal draw sees Box Hill winless in six
Box Hill’s woes were compounded as they continue to occupy fifth spot following a 2-2 draw at home to Murray United, who earn only their sixth point of the season. It was a good start for the visitors when Geoffry Lino netted a good solo goal to open the scoring for Murray. However, spirits were dampened when a cross had Dylan Nikolovski beaten, with the goal falling to Caleb Ludlow. A penalty call then allowed Kobbie Boahene to step up and settle Box Hill’s nerves with just over 10 minutes to go, however the blood boiled amongst the coaching staff again when Lino struck his second just after the restart to eventually earn his side a hard-fought draw on the road.
3. Heffernan nets in third consecutive game to sink Nuna
The conditions were difficult as Rumbalara Oval, a footy oval with the black lines painted, again played host to the Goulburn Valley Suns due to conditions at McEwen Reserve. Goals either side of half time to Dan Heffernan, who takes his tally to four in three games on the trot, sealed the 2-0 result in a mostly comfortable day for the Suns. It could have been more if not for the efforts of youth keeper James Loterzo, who made a number of saves.
2. Two defeats in a row for Kingston as Eastern’s Chris helps earn Droutsas bragging rights
It was a game full of bizarre moments as Kingston City suffered their second defeat against the less fancied Eastern Lions. The first goal before the break came in innocuous circumstances from Jerry Karpeh, whose looped effort into the area took a wicked bounce to beat Christopher Van Corler. The mood changed after half time when Chris Droutsas – the subject of our story during the week about him and brother Kosta who plays for Kingston – volleyed in the equaliser. The winning goal also came about oddly, as Sermin Sadikovski came out to clear a through ball, only for it to ricochet off defender Ryan Love in for an own goal and unfortunate winner to Eastern.
NPL2 2016 Kingston City v Eastern Lions match highlights from Eastern Lions Soccer Club on Vimeo.
1. Point each in controversial Dandenong derby
Dandenong Thunder got proceedings underway in the Jim Memeti Cup when Daniel Bennett rocketed in a cannon that left Damir Salcin with no chance. In a game where Brandon Barnes was denied by the woodwork, it allowed City to equalise via a set piece that seemed to bamboozle everybody and ultimately led to the equaliser via Dario Matkovic. Thunder had 16-year-old striker Godwill Benjamin on his starting debut and he was proving a menace to defenders, with penalty appeals on him being held in the box waved away, with Thunder ropeable at being denied a late opportunity for the win.