By Damir Kulas (@DamirKulas)

 

Dandenong City has recorded its first victory of the NPL 1 season after a resounding 3-0 win over Box Hill United at Frank Holohan Soccer Complex on Saturday afternoon.

A second-half double to Ashley Cattermole and a Dario Matkovic strike gave City manager Aaron Healey his first win in senior management at the third time of asking.

Coming into the contest, Box Hill was looking to maintain the form that had brought it six points from a possible nine away from home, while Dandenong City as looking for its first win of the season.

A cagey opening half saw both teams struggle to create clear-cut chances on goal with the defences on top early on.

The home side went close to opening the scoring but a goal-line scramble was nervously cleared away by the United defence.

Box Hill striker Patrick Thiakane almost seized his opportunity to open the scoring right on the stroke of half time but was denied by onrushing City goalkeeper Damir Salcin who latched onto the ball.

The resumption of play saw the game open up with both sides creating attacking opportunities aplenty in an action-packed 45 minutes.

Just over a minute into the half and the skilful Seavill won the ball back for City in midfield before playing in full-back Chris Ross down the left-hand side.

The former St Albans Saints defender’s inch-perfect cross was met by Matkovic on the back-post who tapped the ball home into the back of the net to give the hosts the lead.

Franc Carafa almost levelled the scoring for the visitors five minutes later but his header from Alex Schroen’s cross went just wide.

United goalkeeper Alex Connell had to be at his best to deny Seavill as his finger-tip save kept out the import from making it 2-0 on the hour mark.

However less than ten minutes later, Ashley Cattermole would get his goal as a poor goal-kick from Connell led to a defensive error which was pounced upon by the attacker, who duly doubled the hosts lead.

Cattermole would once more prove to be Box Hill’s nemesis as a cross by Ross was parried into his path by Connell, who could do little to deny him his brace.

United did its best to get a late consolation, with Thiakane’s shot cleared off the line, but it was to no avail as Cattermole and Dandenong City celebrated a convincing 3-0 victory to kick-start their campaign.

 

Match Details

DANDENONG CITY 3 (Matkovic 47', Cattermole 69', 76') defeated BOX HILL UNITED 0 at Frank Holohan Soccer Complex, Endeavour Hills

DC: 1. Damir Salcin (GK), 2. Brad Clarke, 3. Chris Ross, 6.John Carroll, 7. Keegan Ziada, 8. Dario Matkovic (15. David DiIorio 85’), 9. Ashley Cattermole (14. Goran Jozeljic 85’), 10. Sean Seavill, 11. Andy Jerez (5. Alex Rojas 65), 12. Shaun Filipovic, 16. Simon Storey

Unused Substitutes: 18. Chris Santina, 42. Anthony Casset

Yellow Card(s): None

Red Card(s): None

BHU: 1. Alex Connell (GK), 2. Nikola Surdoski (15. Jerome Costanzo 71’), 5. Alex Schroen, 7. Patrick Thiakane, 8. Caleb Ludlow (22. Sevag Ghazarian) , 10. Franc Carafa, 11. Sebastian Barrero, 14. Lucas Johns (16. Steven Hrgota 82’), 18. Joey Calderone, 23. Stanislav Goldberg, 25. Michael Godfrey

Unused Substitutes: 35. Taylor Davidson, 37. Chris Geils

Yellow Card(s): None

Red Card(s): None