By JARROD POTTER
BUILDING a win on the back of a second-half surge, Dandenong City earned its first win of the new season with a 3-0 clean sheet against Box Hill United.
With another stellar performance in the bag – following two second-half goals – 2014 NPL1 Best and Fairest Sean Seavill tore apart the Mustangs defence to leave the result beyond question.
The opening half was marred with Endeavour Hills-based Dandenong City and United squandering their chances, especially the visitors as a goal-line scramble was repelled at the back by Dandenong City’s faithful general Simon Storey.
The side emerged from the Frank Holohan Soccer Complex change rooms in the second half invigorated as City took the match to the Mustangs instantly.
Whatever rev-up coach Aaron Healey gave his charges must have been sensational, as City coasted past the Mustangs to book three unanswered goals.
Keegan Ziada, Chris Ross and Ashley Cattermole pushed aside the Box Hill defence from the resumption as Dario Matkovic was gifted the ball in front of goals in the 47th by Ross.
He struck truly to set the margin and the next flurry of shots eventually resulted in the Bristol Bulldozer Seavill splitting the defence to put in his first in the 69th minute.
The icing on the cake came from Seavill in the 76th – making sure there would be no question who reigned supreme on Saturday as he rocketed off his second goal from a goalkeeping error.
STATE LEAGUES – ROUND 1
Casey Comets 0-0 could not start their State League 1 South East year with a win against Warragul United in the season opener. Despite a new-look roster under newly appointed coach Jamie Skelley, the Comets could not find the match-winner at home as both defences weathered a barrage of attempts. The Comets will now head to Frankston Pines on Saturday night.
Berwick City proved more successful in a 3-2 home victory over Heatherton United. Daniel Waddup, Ashley Savannah and Daniel Grigoruta ran riot in front of goal as City took the points, while Doveton had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Old Melburnians with Farai Murwira and Phoenix Lawton slotting the levellers.
Doveton hosts Beaumaris while Berwick City heads to Peninsula Strikers’ Centenary Park.
WOMEN’S PREMIER LEAGUE – ROUND 3
CASEY Comets tough start to the Women’s Premier League season eased slightly taking a point from its 0-0 draw with Senior NTC on Friday night. Shrugging off a horror start – falling 1-7 to South Melbourne – Casey rallied to hold out the power-packed Senior NTC front-line. Marika Kamoda earned her first clean-sheet of the season, a great relief to the Cranbourne-based team after Senior NTC peppered their goals approaching the final whistle.
Casey will face Sandringham on 13 April.
