At the Thunder Dome
Posted: 8 August, 2008
| Dandy Thunder | 1 | — | 3 | Langwarrin |
| D.Biondo M.Blake (2) |
||||
Round 18: Dandenong Thunder v Langwarrin — 2 August, 2008
Never an easy trip up to the inhospitable Thunder Dome, for a late kick-off against fierce opponents. We are once again without Ben Caffrey, Adam Ahmadzai (both Senior Duty) & Kevin McAlister (Injury).
Our line-up today: Nick Thomas in between the sticks, Backline: 'Scud' Hodgson - Brenton Smith & Sean Smith. Midfield: Famalaro - Burgess - Dylan Kilner - Chris Neumann (Both up from the Under 18's - first full start for the Ressies – Congratulation Lads). Strikers: Peter Ferguson & Daniel Biondo. The Bench: Alex Mackie - Joe Iline - James Cullen & Mitchell Blake.
The game started at a cracking pace and within the first few minutes Famo found Hayden with a cross shot that the Thunder keeper managed to save. Early warning for them as our boys looked like they meant business today!
Hayden was starting to impose himself down the left flank and after several good attacks produced a super cross that reduced the Thunder defense to ‘panic’ as they rushed back to head clear and over the bar.
The corner duo of Famo and Hayden yet again produced a nest interchange and the cross ball found Burgo on the edge of the box and his left foot drive went narrowly wide.
The Thunder was finding life difficult and the first yellow card of the day was gained by the Thunder for a callus foul on Dylan. Shortly after, Sean Smith received a yellow as well. Sean had probably thought it was time to even the scales a bit as the Thunder were certainly trying to unsettle our lads with some dubious tackles.
However, these tactics did little to dampen our efforts, only to strengthen our resolve and we continued to take the game up to the Thunder with good penetrating attacks down both flanks and up the middle.
Scud came oh –so-close with a mighty header from Famos corner kick. Just over! Great effort.
We did not have to wait too much longer as Dylan swept a ball in behind the Thunder defense for Famo to run on to and drive a hard low cross into the penalty box were Daniel Biondo confidently placed the ball into the net. A fine finish from a fine move. 0 – 1 to the ‘Lads’ and we were well worth our lead.
Another good effort by ‘new’ boy Chris from about 22 meters out, saw the keeper save safely.
The Thunder pushed forward and from a corner their equalizer came from close range after the ball somehow managed to evade two or three defenders and Nick in goal and land at the feet of an unmarked Thunder player who blasted it into the net! 1 – 1. A bit of a let down as the Thunder did not really deserve that goal, as we were by far the better team.
We quickly regained our composure and struck back at them with a good move started by Peter chasing a long ball, winning a 50/50 challenge and slipping a pass out to Hayden, who in turn found Burgo pushing up, he received Haydens pass, side-stepped the oncoming defender a hit a long range right footer that the keeper saved.
Another close one for us was Famo bursting through and hitting his shot from the‘d’ which again the keeper saved.
The action was not all at one end as Nick was under threat from a long range shot that managed to spill free towards the on rushing striker, Nick’s second effort was good enough and he gathered safely. Phew! This was followed by yet another close call for us as the left winger banged in a fierce shot that just went wide of the mark!
Back we went at them with Daniel producing a strong run and laying off a pass to Peter who banged one from 25 meters that the keeper could not hold, he had to scramble after it and was fortunate to gather it up before Daniel was on top of him.
To finish the half off, Burgo let fly with a half volley from 25 meters that whistled over the top. Nice way to finish the first 45 minutes. Just let them know that it was ‘game on’! And we’re coming out stronger in the second period!
1-1 at the turn
The second half started with a raid by Hayden, deep into the Thunder half. His subsequent corner found Brenton who hit his left footer over the top. Good effort that!
Peter also came very close from yet another quality Hayden cross. It was almost in before it left Peter’s head, as we threw our arms up to celebrate, the ball somehow missed the target and went wide!
At the 60th minute another young bloke, Joe Iline came on for Dylan who had given a fine performance winning his fare share of tackles in a tough midfield battle.
Chris produced some neat touches and patrolled his wing well. Famo pushed forward through the middle and kept probing and harassing well. Burgo worked well off Famo and this also enabled him to get forward often to either support the attack or drop back to break up the Thunder midfield raids.
The three lads at the back were certainly holding their own with strong, swift tackles and we, over the fence mob were grateful they were on our side.
On 75 minutes it was Chris who made way for Mitch to enter the fray. Well done Chris for a productive debut.
We continued to attack at every opportunity with Scud going close with a header over the bar from a corner. Burgo belted in another half volley from 25 meters that flashed just wide. Both Peter and Daniel brought good saves from the Thunder keeper. But the score remained 1-1.
The deadlock was nearly broken when Daniel broke clear only to see the keeper save from close range! That was so close!
At last our pressure paid off with Hayden hitting yet another quality cross ball from wide out on the left. Mitch was on to it in a flash and his header gave the Thunder defenders no chance to react! Nice one Mitch 1-2.
The Thunder came back at us real hard now and could have equalized had it not been for a class save from young Nick. Their striker got behind us, zeroed in on goal from the left and was clear on goal. He pulled the trigger and unleashed a hard, raising left foot shot towards the top right hand corner of the goal. Nick was out and up, throwing his right hand high, blocking the shot around the upright! Great save and certainly one to remember!
10 minutes to go, it was tight but we felt confident we could get the 3 points. Alex Mackie came on for Daniel who had worked very hard all day. Alex immediately stamped his arrival by upending a Thunder player with a tremendous tackle.
The end was in sight for the Thunder when a good build up by Famo to Burgo to Peter, his cross to Hayden was controlled and slipped to Mitch who put it away with precision. 1-3. A striker’s goal indeed and a nice ‘brace’ for the young man as his goal tally continues to climb.
We felt a little easier now and enjoyed the last few minutes reveling in the Langy performance.
That was it for the day, great away win. Well done to everyone. Cheers till next week - from the Man Over the Fence
Team: Thomas, S.Smith, B.Smith, Hodgson, Famularo, Shippers, Burgess, Kilner (Iline 60), Neumann (Blake 75), Biondo (Mackie 80), Ferguson
