By Anthony Crocitti

Newly promoted Avondale has hung on for its third win in succession, in a thrilling 3-2 victory over Dandenong Thunder at Avondale Heights Reserve on Saturday afternoon.

Aleksiy Khrapko was the difference, giving Avondale a three goal advantage in the first 25 minutes, but a late Dandenong resurgence made it a tight finish.

The game was action packed from the first minute, with Dandenong striker Yusuf Ahmed forcing Avondale keeper Fraser Siddall to work early.

From here on Avondale took control.

In the seventh minute Khrapko gave Avondale a 1-0 advantage. After receiving a well-measured through ball from Burakhan Koca, Khrapko had his first attempt parried by Dandenong keeper Zaim Zenelli, but his second rebounded effort was clinical.

It only took five minutes for Avondale to extend its lead.

Khrapko received a long ball, powered forward and unleashed a rocket for his second.

Thunder was left stunned in the 25^th minute when Avondale netted its third.

Winger Principato dribbled past the Dandenong defence and delivered a brilliant cross to Khrapko who was left with a simple tap in for his hattrick.

Just before the break, Ahmed made the most of an Avondale defensive miscommunication and placed a perfectly weighted volley over the head of Siddall, pegging one back for Dandenong.

The Thunder then started to play with urgency and although they went into the break 3-1 down, they were not out of the match.

The second half proved to be more even.

Early in the half, Khrapko again loomed dangerous off a counter attack, charging through the defence but lost his feet just before he could pull the trigger.

This was just one of many chances Avondale squandered in the second half, which kept Dandenong alive.

Soon after, Ahmed came close to scoring his second, his shot ricocheting off Siddall who came out and was cleared off the goal line by Avondale centre back Anthony Fallone.

Dandenong’s attack was mounting, with sub Jarod Blackbourn forcing two strong saves by Siddall, followed by a barrage of six Dandenong corners in the next five minutes.

With ten minutes to go, Dandenong finally broke through with a calmly executed penalty by captain Mulcahy.

The pressure in the dying minutes was immense with Dandenong searching for an equaliser, but Avondale’s defensive structure proved too strong.

Khrapko said he was elated to be part of such a great team effort.

“It is always good to score three goals, but more important is the team performance,” Khrapko said.

 

MATCH DETAILS

Avondale Heights 3 (Khrapko 7’, 12’, 25’) defeated Dandenong Thunder 2 (Ahmed 36’, Mulcahy 82’) at Doyle Street Reserve

Avondale Heights: 20. Frazer SIDDALL, 4. Christopher IRWIN, 5. Jeffrey FLEMING, 6. Anthony STRANO, 9. Alex KHRAPKO (8. Simon TOLLI 80’), 10. Burakhan KOCA (15. Zoran PAJIC 87’), 13. Michele CRAZIA, 18. Jonathan MUNOZ (24. Resit CULCULOGLU 78’), 19. Jayson PRINCIPATO, 27. Julien CANNIZZARO, 28. Anthony FALLONE

Unused Sub(s): 1. Anthony SARIC, 16. Jungho KIM

Yellow Card(s): Nil

Red Card(s): Nil

Dandenong Thunder: 1. Zaim ZENELI, 4. Adam PETKO (2. Jarryd BARNES 90’), 5. Faisal SAKHIZADA, 16. Gideon SWEET, 12. Brendan ELMAZOVSKI, 6. Alan MULCAHY, 3. Ramazan TAVSANCIOGLU, 18. Ariel RITZ (23. Michael GERACE 63’), 9. Veton KORCARI, 17. Fitim IBRAIMI (24. Jarod BLACKBOURN 46’), 7. Yusef AHMED

Unused Sub(s): 8. Lewis FOSTER, 20. Chris ENGLAND

Yellow Card(s): Petko 21’, Tavsancioglu 22’

Red Card(s): Nil