By Agron Dauti

Dandenong City has secured its first win in three rounds with a smash-and-grab 2-1 victory in wet conditions over St Albans Saints at Frank Holohan Soccer Complex on Saturday afternoon.

Unveiling its new grandstand in front of a vocal home crowd, Dandy City was not going to let St Albans rain on its parade and held on to finish off its momentous day with a hard-fought win.

With its last win coming in Round 8, Ivan Duzel’s side was desperate for a win and Dario Matkovic’s brace proved to be the difference.

Despite trailing for the majority of the clash, Dandenong scored twice in two minutes in the closing stages of the match to run away with the win and heap the pressure on the Saints.

It was a battle of the defences as both teams went back and forth in the first half but were unable to break through, leaving both goalkeepers with very little work to do.

St Albans maintained possession well throughout the first half and attackers Brodie Patterson and Sean McIlroy had a number of chances to open the scoring but were unable to find the back of the net.

Tony Paterson’s side was duly rewarded for its relentless pressure in the 35th minute when Saints midfielder Brodie Patterson opened the scoring after converting a close-range free-kick, slotting the ball to the left of Dandenong City goalkeeper Marko Stevanja.

Dandenong City came out of the halftime break determined to reduce the one-goal deficit and launched relentless attacks on St Albans’ goal, but a steely St Albans defence and an unyielding Stjepan Gal were able to hold Dandy City at bay.

Both defences continued to work well, forcing their opposition into making mistakes as the half fizzled out.

With the clock winding down, Dandenong City felt the urgency of the situation and sent numbers forward in a move that resulted in the equaliser that it so desperately needed.

Steven Topalovic – playing at centre back – rushed forward and skipped past three players to set up teammate Dario Matkovic for the 86th-minute equaliser, a move that drew praise from his coach.

With full time rapidly approaching, Dandenong amped up the intensity to spark a brilliant chain of play that culminated in Matkovic steering in a strong header from a Keegan Ziada cross.

The 89th-minute winner sent the home crowd into raptures, while consigning St Albans to its third consecutive loss.

Dandenong City coach Ivan Duzel was thrilled with the comeback victory.

“Very important [win], we play much better than where we are showing on the ladder. We tried to play the game on the floor with the passes, with the quick moves and this game gives us very, very good confidence for the next future games,” Duzel said.

“I believe tonight the players wanted to play, they play more lighter, not as much pressure on them, which we talked about during the week with them. At the end of the day we scored two beautiful goals and win the game.”

Duzel reserved special praise for midfielder Steven Topalovic.

“[Steven Topalovic is] a very strong boy, physically, running ability nobody is coming close to him in this league. He’s very happy to play anywhere, that’s Steven’s character. He’s a winner and he showed that in the last 10 minutes,” he said.

St Albans coach Tony Paterson was not available for comment.

MATCH DETAILS

Dandenong City 2 (Matkovic 86, 89') defeated St Albans Saints 1 (Patterson 35') at Frank Holohan Soccer Complex [HT: 0-1]

Dandenong City: 1. Marko STEVANJA, 6. John CARROLL, 10. Sean SEAVILL, 8. Dario MATKOVIC, 11. Raymond LAY,19. Nicholas GLAVAN, 4. Steven TOPALOVIC, 23. Goran JOZELJIC (21. Danijel BUHIC, 83’), 22. Andres JEREZ (14. Hrvoje BILADZIC, 90’+3), 12. Shaun FILIPOVIC (5. Alex ROJAS, 67’), 7. Keegan ZIADA

Unused Sub(s): 31. Dennys MARTIN (GK),

Yellow Card(s): 12. Shaun FILIPOVIC 31’

Red Card(s): Nil.

St Albans Saints: 1. Stjepan GAL (GK), 14. Adam NAKIC, 4. Barry DEVLIN, 5. Felix ROSMAN, 14. Christopher ROSS, 10. Brodie PATTERSON (7. Juso JULARDZIJA, 70’) 13. Nicholas CULLEN, 15. Konrad DOBRASZIEWICZ, 2. Ryan MCGUFFIE, 11. Ryan BALDACCHINO (16. Ajak PANEK, 83’), 9. Sean MCILROY

Unused Subs: 21. Tonio BARESIC, 6. Martin MASON, 18. Tedros YABIO,

Yellow Card(s): 9. Sean MCILROY 48’

Red Card(s): Nil.