By Andrew Bishara (@_AndrewBishara)

Photo GRAEME FURLONG

Eastern Lions and Dandenong City played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at Gardiners Creek Reserve on Sunday.

The Lions opened with a two-goal lead thanks to Ziggy Razuki and Thomas Falconer, before City pegged them back to take a share of the points with goals from Ashley Cattermole and Simon Storey.

Razuki got the game rolling for the Lions, when he broke into a run and found himself on the corner of the box.

Steadying himself, he launched a bullet of a shot deep into the bottom corner, leaving City goalkeeper Damir Salcin with no chance.

The hosts continued to press high up the pitch and made it two-nil before the 30-minute mark.

Falconer got on the end of a free kick and bundled in the ball to put the Lions in control.

Yet City soon found a lifeline through Cattermole when his outside-boot strike curled into the box.

But the goal would not have been made without Seavill's stunning move.

The midfielder got on the end of a long ball right on the goaline before turning his defender inside out in one slick turn before laying it off to Cattermole who finished the job.

Munyaradzi Nyadzayo could have restored the Lions' two-goal margin but Salcin tipped his sizzling 20-yard driver over the bar.

The second period was a much tighter affair as space was at a premium.

It took 20 minutes into the half for the first chance to be made when Nyadzayo pounced on a loose ball between two City defenders.

But he could only blast his shot over the goals.

Shaun Kenny had the next chance when he latched onto Nyadzayo's deflected shot, putting it wide.

Nyadzayo continued to be the Lions’ main goal threat as he saw his 25-yard free kick pushed over the bar by Salcin.

But the hosts were left to rue its domination of chances when Storey rose highest in a corner and smashed in the header to put City back on level terms and snatch a point.

 

Match Details:

Eastern Lions FC 2 (Ziggy Razuki 13’, Thomas Falconer 28’) drew with Dandenong City 2 at Gardiners Creek Reserve

Eastern Lions FC: 1. Andrew LIGHTFOOT (GK), 2. WILLIAM ELLIS, 3. Matthew PARRY, 5. Thomas FALCONER, 6. Andrew WILLIAMS, 7. Ziggy RAZUKI (9. Louis RAZUKI 57’), 11. Munyaradzi NYADZAYO, 12. David McKESSY (8. Mitch BEAMISH 80’), 14. Jordan HORN, 16. Shaun KENNY, 15. Yianni TOUMANIDIS

Unused Subs: 21. Rob HAVERCROFT, 10. Jack DUFFIELD

Dandenong City: 1. Damir SALCIN, 3. Chris ROSS, 7. Keegan ZIADA, 9. Dario MATKOVIC (16. Simon STOREY 66’), 9. Ashley CATTERMOLE, 11. Andy JEREZ, 12. Shaun FILIPOVIC, 18. Chris SANITA, 15. David DI'ORIO, 10. Sean SEAVILL, (14. Chris ANTONIADIS 46’), 20. Josh CARAUNA (5. Alex ROJAS 80’)

Unused Subs: 13. Anthony MIJAC, 42. Anthony CASSET