By Adem Barolli (@adembarolli)

A first-half blitz for a travelling Dandenong Thunder ensured the three points after it defeated the Goulburn Valley Suns 4-0 at McEwen Reserve in Shepparton on a cold Saturday night.

Dean Hennessey’s mean put the Suns to the sword early on after netting three of their four goals before halftime.

It was a dominant first half by the men in red and black after creating a plethora of opportunities while also limiting the influence of the Suns.

It took Thunder just nine minutes to open the scoring when Ramazan Tavsancioglu sensationally volleyed home from 25 yards, beating the stranded Phil Petrovski in goal for the Suns.

After some great interplay Thunder soon saw its lead double in the 40th minute.

Jake Nakic was played in on goal by Brendon Craig and the Thunder midfielder’s neat finish found the bottom corner.  

Celebrations were short-lived for Nakic however, as he hobbled off immediately after scoring with an ankle injury.

A two-goal lead became three as the Suns failed to clear their lines only four minutes later.

Craig was able to head from just six yards after Peter Zois’ side was yet again unable to defend from a set piece.

The game’s fourth and final goal came in the 80th minute after a delightful ball from stand-in captain Alan Kearney found the head of Marcus Schroen.
 
Schroen still had plenty of work to do as his header sailed back over the ‘keeper and into the back corner, rounding off a deserved Dandenong victory.

Throughout the encounter the Suns weren’t able to create too many opportunities, but their best chance did come in the first half.

Suns winger Hernan Espindola was played through but his goal-bound attempt was blocked by Thunder centre-back Jarryd Barnes.

The Suns have now lost three games on the trot and currently sit bottom of the NPL.

Manager Peter Zois was disappointed with his side’s performance.

“That third goal just summed up the season … the desperation wasn’t their, it was too easy”, Zois said.

“We’ve got to regroup and think of ways moving forward, because next week we’re playing an in-form team.”

The last-placed Suns will feature in a real David and Goliath battle next week, as they take on top team South Melbourne at Lakeside Stadium.

Thunder will be hoping to make it two wins on the trot when it hosts Heidelberg United on Saturday.

MATCH DETAILS

Goulburn Valley Suns 0 defeated by Dandenong Thunder 4 (Tavsancioglu 9’, Nakic 40’, Craig 44’, Schroen 80’) at McEwen Reserve [HT: 0-3]

Goulburn Valley Suns: 1. Phil PETROVSKI, 2. Cody SELLWOOD, 3. Naum SEKULOVSKI (21. Riley HAMILTON 53’), 4. Tom LANGHAM, 5. Nick KALAFATIS, 6. Fahed ALGHAZALY, 7. Ben CLARKE, 9. Craig CARLEY, 10. Kristian SARKIES, 15. Anthony COLANDRO (13. Zach PARASKEVAS 46’), 19. Hernan ESPINDOLA (14. Joey HOGARTY 76’)

Unused subs: 11. Matt GLEESON, 22. Jake KEATING

Yellow Cards: COLANDRO 20’

Red Cards: None

Dandenong Thunder: 2. Jarryd BARNES, 4. Ramazan TAVSANCIOGLU, 7. Kieran DOVER (5. Sakhi Zada FAISAL 72’), 9. Feston AZIZI (3. Ilir PALI 84’), 11. Kristopher KIOUSSIS, 12. Brendon ELMAZOVSKI, 16. Alan KEARNEY, 17. Marcus SCHROEN, 21. Zaim ZENELI, 23 Jake NAKIC (8. Matthew MILLAR 41’)

Unused subs: 1. Frazer SIDDALL, 13. Anthony GIANNOPOULOS

Yellow Cards: DOVER 49’

Red Cards: None