By Damir Kulas

Melbourne City has defeated Dandenong City 1-0 at Frank Holohan Soccer Complex in a wet Saturday afternoon fixture.

Wade Dekker’s early strike settled the contest although Dandenong City would be disappointed not to have picked up a point after creating numerous attacking opportunities throughout the match.

Aaron Healey’s men came into the contest on the back of a resounding 5-0 victory over table-toppers Melbourne Victory last week and were looking to collect their second successive A-League scalp. 

However they got off to the worst possible start when Melbourne City’s Dekker gave his side the lead after a slick team move, in what was the attacker’s seventh goal of the season.

Dandenong City pressed for an immediate response but Shaun Filipovic could not direct his low shot away from Melbourne goalkeeper Yaren Sozer. 

Dekker almost grabbed a second in the 17th minute but gloveman Damir Salcin made a great scrambling save to the former Northcote City man.

Dandenong playmaker Sean Seavill then tried his luck but his goal-bound effort was cleared off the line by the Melbourne City defence.

The Englishman was causing the reigning National Youth League Champions some trouble, which included having a cross-cum-shot turned over the bar by Sozer as Joe Montemurro’s men held on for a 1-0 lead heading into the half-time break. 

Dandenong City came out of the sheds with the first chance of the second half but Keegan Ziada failed to trouble the former Pascoe Vale goalkeeper Sozer. 

Up the other end, captain Phil Petreski tried his luck without ever testing the veteran Salcin in Dandenong City goals.

An end-to-end opening to the half saw Ziada’s powerful shot from inside his own box rattle the crossbar as the former Dandenong Thunder man went in search of an equaliser.

Ziada’s former Thunder teammate Matt Millar then went close for Melbourne City but his strike from long-range off the corner was deflected wide of goal by a teammate.

The Melbourne City defence remained resolute and prevented its counterparts from unleashing any meaningful chances on goal for much of the rest of the half.

However Dandenong City launched a late onslaught on Sozer’s goal as substitute Erkan Filiz blazed over from close range while both Filipovic and Carroll failed to get their headers on target. 

Nonetheless Montemurro’s men held firm for a priceless 1-0 victory in a game which was perhaps dampened by the wet conditions which prevented the play of free-flowing football.  

Match Details:

Melbourne City 1 (Dekker 8) defeated Dandenong City 0 at Frank Holohan Soccer Complex

MCY: 1. Yaren Sozer (GK), Nicholas Symeoy, 4. Jordan Hall, 5. Leo Athanasiou, 6. Phil Petreski, 7. Hernan Espindola (11. Stefan Zinni 70’), 8. Ratip Cileli, 9. Wade Dekker, 15. Luke Gallo (22. Mehdi Sarwari 90’), 16. Matt Millar. 19. Anthony Taranto

Unused Subs: 12. Tom Barforosh, 13. Harris Stamboulidis, 20. Yianni Skiliros (GK)

Yellow Card(s): Petreski 40, Zinni 80

Red Card(s): None

DC: 1. Damir Salcin (GK), 2. Brad Clarke, 3. Chris Ross, 6. John Carroll, 7. Keegan Ziada, 9. Ashley Cattermole, 10. Sean Seavill (20. Erkan Filiz 80’), 11. Andreas Jerez (4. Robert Wynne 85’), 12. Shaun Filipovic, 14. Chris Antoniadis, 18. Chris Sanita

Unused Subs: 5. Alex Rojas, 13. Anthony Mijac, 42. Anthony Casset (GK) 

Yellow Card(s): Ziada 18, Cattermole 72, Antoniadis 88

Red Card(s): None