Dandenong City didn’t let some recent poor form shake it as the club dug deep and ground out a 2-1 triumph against Altona in round 19 of the NPL.
At Frank Holohan Soccer Complex, City got off to the perfect start through a complete defensive lapse and breakdown from the Magic.
A high-pressing visiting formation was caught off guard when the ball was dispossessed by Dandenong in the back half.
While defenders scattered, Timothy Atherinos bolted down the line unmarked.
A simple through-ball got past the entire last line, leaving Atherinos one-on-one with the keeper and the whole goal to aim at.
Atherinos slotted his shot beautifully, giving City the 1-0 lead after just 10 minutes.
The second came just before halftime, when Atherinos provided the hosts with a brace.
He received the ball inside the box off a deceiving pass that fooled the defence, placing his shot carefully and through the hands of the keeper to double Dandenong’s advantage.
However, Altona got back into the game in the most bizarre circumstances.
The Magic were awarded a free kick outside the penalty box, which Saad Moukachar opted to take.
His long-range attempt was slightly deflected by the City wall, but it completely trumped and perplexed Pierce Clark who just swiped at the air as the ball sailed past him.
The Dandenong outfit was puzzled, because the ball appeared to be going straight at Clark but found its way into the back of the net.
The halftime whistle was blown shortly after, with City scoring two out of its three shots on target in the first half.
Altona had only managed two accurate attempts with one goal on the board.
Straight out of the gates in the second half, Dandenong conceded a penalty through a poorly timed tackle from Jake Noble.
In a fitting arc of redemption, Clark stood tall and saved the spot kick, turning the momentum and showing brilliant resilience.
From there, City controlled the match until Noble was shown a second yellow and sent off in the 89th minute.
Luckily, it didn’t cost the hosts and the full time whistle was blown as the scoreline read 2-1 in favour of Dandenong.
City remains in seventh with a difficult test as the club travels to face top-placed Heidelberg in round 20.
