By Mark Gojszyk (@hahahamark)

Pascoe Vale and Dandenong Thunder have played out an entertaining scoreless draw at Hosken Reserve, in a result that would suit both coaches.

The away point could be crucial to Dandenong’s survival in the NPL, while it all but guarantees Pascoe Vale’s place in the top flight next season.
 
The visitors edged the hosts on overall performance, enjoying a strong opening to the contest and a dominant second half, but poor finishing let both sides down.
 
Thunder stormed the home side’s box in the opening 15 minutes, winning a number of corners and creating good openings on goal.
 
Ramazan Tavsancioglu had the first chance for the visitors, receiving the ball in the box and shooting, but Yaren Sozer was well positioned to save the ball.
 
The ‘keeper then had to be on his toes to fingertip Kieran Dover’s header over the crossbar, after the rising star of the month got on the end of an Ilir Pali cross that was flicked on into the centre of the box.
 
Pascoe Vale started to find its way into the contest, with Jake Nakic and Adrian Talarico both consecutively shooting straight into Zaim Zeneli’s arms after being given too much time on the ball.
 
Nakic was looking dangerous against his former team, and forced another solid save after not being closed down quickly enough in the box.
 
Pascoe Vale was knocking the ball around with confidence towards the back end of the half, with a one-two between Nakic and Joseph Youssef leaving Michael Ferrante open on the edge of the box, but the former Melbourne Victory and Wellington Phoenix man sprayed his shot wide after receiving the ball.
 
Another good passage of play saw a series of passes between Marco Santilli, Ferrante and Youssef end at the feet of Talarico, but the latter missed the resulting shot on goal.
 
After the break Dandenong again came out of the blocks early, winning a corner which spilled to Alan Mulcahy, but the captain’s stinging half-volley was blocked by Sozer, with Faisal Sakhi Zada skying the rebound.
 
It looked like the Thunder players were instructed to keep the ball and run at defenders, with the likes of Kris Kioussis, Michael Millar and Pali all taking on their direct opponents to great effect, forcing Pascoe Vale to defend deeper.
 
Pali made a dazzling run through the middle, beating a number of players and passing off to Feston Azizi, but he couldn’t apply the finish.
 
Ferrante then had Pascoe Vale’s best and only real chance of the half in the 60th minute, receiving a spilled ball 18 yards out but also blazing high.
 
Nakic’s absence in Dandenong’s forward line was telling, as Kioussis made two excellent runs down the left wing in succession to tee up Millar and Mulcahy, but both missed their shots, highlighting the lack of a genuine finisher in the side.
 
Their efforts capped off a frustrating half that saw plenty of chances fashioned – mostly by Dandenong – but no shots on target registered by either.
 
Pascoe Vale coach Vitale Ferrante was satisfied with the point, also paying tribute to his opponents.
 
“Dandenong went for broke – they are a good side,” Ferrante said.
 
“I’m surprised [at their ladder position]. I rate Dandenong.
 
“We also needed the point as well. Mathematically we needed a draw [to avoid relegation] and I think that reflected in the second half. I think the boys retreated in a fashion of making sure we didn’t take risks.”
 
Dandenong coach Dean Hennessey believed the draw was nothing less than his side deserved, and was confident that his side would avoid relegation.
 
“I’m happy with the point, I think if we didn’t get the result it would have been totally unfair,” Hennessey said.
 
“We’ve never talked about [the possibility of] going down, we just focus on the next game.”

MATCH DETAILS
 
Pascoe Vale 0 drew with Dandenong Thunder 0 at Hosken Reserve
 
Pascoe Vale: 1 Yaren Sozer (GK), 2 Adrian Talarico, 3 Nathen Megic, 8 Joseph Youssef, 9 Jake Nakic, 14 Alvaro Carrillo, 15 Mark Pistininzi (12 Eli Luttmer 78’), 16 Marco Santilli, 17 Evan Karavitis, 21, Michael Ferrante, 22 Carl Recchia
 
Unused Subs: 6 Lindsay Henderson, 13 Mathew Lazarides, 18 Ali Eyigun, 27 Stefaan Sardelic (GK)
 
Yellow Cards: Carrillo 52’, Nakic 54’, Megic 59’
 
Red Cards: None
 
Dandenong Thunder: 21 Zaim Zeneli (GK), 2 Jarryd Barnes (11 Kris Kioussis 5’), 3 Ilir Pali, 4 Ramazan Tavsancioglu, 5 Faisal Sakhi Zada, 6 Alan Mulcahy, 7 Kieran Dover, 8 Matthew Millar, 10 Feston Azizi, 12 Brendan Elmazovki, 16 Alan Kearney
 
Unused Subs: 1 Frazer Siddall (GK), 14 Duncan Rees, 20 Dillon Jakupi, 23 Josh Carvana
 
Yellow Cards: Tavsancioglu 5’, Pali 88’
 
Red Cards: None