By Agron Dauti

Dandenong Thunder’s youth has helped it to a 6-3 win over the visiting Goulburn Valley Suns, with teenagers Kieran Dover and Matt Millar netting five of their side’s six goals at George Andrew Reserve on Saturday night.

It was a game that could have went either way after a determined Goulburn Valley outfit fought back to score three consecutive second-half goals as it threatened to spoil Dandenong’s party.

Dandenong looked to score early as Millar created two fantastic chances in the opening minutes but it was third time lucky as the hosts found themselves up in the 11th minute when Millar streamed down the left wing and cut a ball through to Dover who slotted the ball home.

The Thunder young guns – both winners of the rising star of the month awards- wasted no time in doubling their side’s lead, with Millar embarking on a blazing run down the left flank and opening up the angle before driving the ball into the back of the net to make it 2-0.

Hernan Espindola almost pulled one back for the Suns in the 16th minute, cutting through the Thunder defence and forcing ‘keeper Zaim Zeneli to make a brilliant diving save to keep out the curling shot.

It wasn’t long before the ball was in the net again for Dandenong, as Dover ran onto a Feston Azizi through-ball and set up teammate Millar for his second goal and Thunder’s third in the 26th minute.

Things weren’t looking good for the Suns, who were pushed back in their own half and forced to defend a number of Dandenong chances.

When they did attack, they couldn’t connect that final pass needed to open up the game.

The Millar-Dover connection paid off yet again in the 40th minute as Melbourne Victory trialist Dover landed his second goal after latching onto a Millar lay-off and driving the ball past Phillip Petrovski to make it 4-0.

Dover got his hat-trick after blazing down the right flank and beating his man with a cheeky touch before finishing nicely to make it 5-0 and cap off a brilliant first half for the hosts.

Despite looking like it was done and dusted, the game wasn’t over for Goulburn Valley as it attacked forcefully and was rewarded in the 57th minute – Riley Hamilton beating his man and shooting from just inside the box to sneak the ball past Zeneli and make it 5-1.

A costly defensive error would give the visitors their second goal in the 66th minute – Thunder ‘keeper Zeneli ran out early but a defensive mix-up allowed Craig Carley to wheel around the contest and slot the loose ball into the open net.

Carley got his brace just moments later to bring the game back within reach, forcing a bewildered Thunder to ramp up the intensity as the Suns aimed to make a thrilling comeback.

Carley was again at the centre of the action in the 83rd minute when his goal-bound shot cannoned off the crossbar, denying him a hat-trick.

After a tense half-hour of play, Kris Kioussis bagged Thunder’s sixth goal and sealed the home win for Dean Hennessey’s men.

The Thunder coach was pleased with his side’s start, but not with its finish.

“Realistically we could’ve thrown a 5-0 lead but we did win 6-3 in the end and it’s a great result for the club,” Hennessey said.

“It’s a great result for the players but I don’t think I’ve ever been so disappointed to win like that because I just thought we were going to win it comfortably.”

Goulburn Valley was unavailable for comment.

MATCH DETAILS

Dandenong Thunder 6 (Dover 11’ 40’ 45’, Millar 12’ 26’, Kioussis 90’) defeated Goulburn Valley Suns 3 (Hamilton 57’, Carley 66’ 68’) at George Andrews Reserve [HT: 5-0]

Dandenong Thunder: Zaim Zeneli (GK), Brendan Elmazovski, Ilir Pali (Dillon Jakupi 66’), Faisal Sakhi Zada, Alan Mulcahy, Kieran Dover, Matthew Millar, Feston Azizi (Jarrod Blackbourn 75’), Kris Kioussis, Alan Kearney, Josh Caruana, Dillon Jakupi (Rees Duncan 88’)

Unused subs: Frazer Siddall, Viktor Mujedinovski

Yellow cards: None

Red cards: None

Goulburn Valley Suns: Phillip Petrovski (GK), Cody Sellwood, Naum Sekulovski, Simon Colosimo, Riley Hamilton (Hussey Sumaili 88’), Tom Langman, Frankie Lagana, Daniel Chaabani, Brian Vanega, Hernan Espindola (Joey Hogarty 80’), Craig Carley

Unused subs: Jake Keating, Justin Cirillo, Jordi Lelliot

Yellow cards: None

Red cards: None