By Chris Hearn (@_ChrisHearn)

 

Dandenong City's resilience was on show at CB Smith Reserve on Saturday as it held Moreland Zebras to a 2-2 draw.

Goals to Keegan Ziada and Ashley Cattermole brought the visitors back from the brink twice, cancelling out goals to Moreland pair James Papadimitriou and Joel Nikolic.

Sean Seavill's intelligent movement ensured Dandenong City's control in the early stages, but after targeting Moreland's right side, Simon Symeoy stood firm in his return to the starting eleven to allow the hosts to enjoy a period of dominance.

Zebras striker Nikolic squandered two chances in a minute - the first, a glancing header flying wide, before firing a volley wide after Bale Micovski's cut-back.

The hosts continued their upward surge, scoring first as Papadimitriou found space in the area after Symeoy's inward pass, before firing home into the roof of the net.

But the lead was short lived, as Ziada equalised for the visitors on 24 minutes. Johnny Crivelli's error was pounced on and the winger made no mistake from 18 yards.

The see-sawing nature of the contest continued as Moreland regained control after the equaliser, and went ahead five minutes before half time.


Papadimitriou ran at Dandenong defender Brad Clarke, beating the full-back and forcing a rash challenge, leaving the referee with no other choice than to point to the spot.

Joel Nikolic duly converted to goalkeeper Damir Salcin's left.

It was a far more subdued beginning to the second half.

Both sides tightened the vast spaces previously afforded in midfield, stifling the free-flowing pattern the game had seen thus far.

Seavill had the first chance of the second period after rounding Moreland goalkeeper Nikola Kostadinovski, but the playmaker's uncharacteristic heavy touch took him to the byline and his cross was skewed.

Last-ditch defending continually denied Dandenong, before finally breaking through 20 minutes from time.

The hosts struggled to clear a simple ball in the box from a Dandenong corner, allowing striker Ashley Cattermole to powerfully volley home.

The hosts mounted a one last assault in the final 15 minutes, but could not find the finishing touch.

Salcin came to the visitors rescue in second half stoppage time, denying Papadimitriou's glancing header after James McMonagle-Ihasz's lofted delivery to ensure Dandenong left with a share of the spoils.

 

MATCH DETAILS

 

Moreland Zebras 2 (Papadimitriou 19', Nikolic 40') drew with Dandenong City 2 (Ziada 25', Cattermole 71') at CB Smith Reserve (HT 2-1)

 

Moreland Zebras: 1. Nikola KOSTADINOVSKI, 2. Simon SYMEOY, 3. Johnny CRIVELLI, 6. Adam CENTOFANTI, 8. Joshua MCMONAGLE-IHASZ, 9. Joel NIKOLIC, 10. Danny CHARALAMBOUS (22. Ryan MURRAY 73'), 14. James PAPADIMITRIOU, 16. Mile MEDJEDEVIC, 19. James KELLY, 11. Bale MICOVSKI (20. Maximillion GUST 85')

Unused Subs: 4. Steve MARTIN, 17. Chris TRANTAFILOPOULOS, 21. Alex STOJANOVSKI (GK)

Yellow Card(s): Danny Charalambous 73', Bale Micovski 82', Simon Symeoy 90+2

Red Card(s): Nil

 

Dandenong City: 1. Damir SALCIN (GK), 2. Brad CLARKE, 3. Chris ROSS, 6. John CARROLL, 7. Keegan ZIADA, 9. Ashley CATTERMOLE (20. Goran JOZELJIC 88'), 10. Sean SEAVILL, 11. Andy JEREZ (15. David DILORIO 80'), 5. Alex ROJAS (18. Chris SANITA 90'), 12. Shaun FILIPOVIC, 16. Simon STOREY

Unused Substitutes: 4. Robbie WYNNE, 42. Anthony CASSET

Yellow Card(s): John Carroll 75'

Red Card(s): Nil