By Eva Worden

Bendigo City has fought back after half time to secure a 1-1 draw with Dandenong City SC at Epsom Huntly Recreation Reserve on Saturday afternoon.

A goal late in the first period propelled Dandenong into the lead, only for Bendigo to strike back in the 71st minute. 

Dandenong made no mistake gaining possession in the early minutes and crossing towards goal only to meet a fierce Bendigo backline.

Bendigo then had an attempt when Riley Dillon passed to Corey Slevin, whose textbook volley was quickly caught by the Dandenong goalkeeper Damir Salcin.

After several unsuccessful corners by Dandenong as well as unlucky shots from Bendigo, the first half seemed all but over.

Until seconds before the break, the visitors’ found Dario Matkovic's head from a corner which was punched away by Gianmarco D’oira, causing and uproar however Dandenong was awarded the goal as it had just crept over the line.

Within the opening minutes of the second half Chris Antoniadis lined up for goal and several attempts just passed over the crossbar.

Bendigo was determined to prevent the visitors from winning on its own turf as Godwill Basha single-handedly dribbled the ball up the wing and shot towards goal only for it to pass wide. 

Dandenong appeared to have it in the bag 57 minutes in after Keegan Ziada crossed to Ashley Cattermole, the striker was positioned only metres from goal when he volleyed and suddenly out of nowhere Bendigo’s Joe Williams appeared just in time to strike the ball away.

After 71 minutes, Bendigo’s Corey Slevin crossed to George Slefendorfas who was positioned only a metre from goal swiftly chipped the ball to equalise. 

Less than six minutes later what began as a minor matter erupted into a huge squabble, the teams failed to stop the aggressive behaviour until the referee sounded the whistle three times. 

Once the game was back underway Dandenong was more persistent than ever to break the deadlock.

In the closing minutes Dandenong’s Ziada crossed to Cattermole, who then volleyed directly towards goal, but D’oria spectacularly dived across the goal and dashed Dandenong’s hopes of a win. 

MATCH DETAILS:

Bendigo City FC 1 (Slefendorfas 71’) drew with Dandenong City SC 1 (Matkovic 45’) at Epsom Huntly Reserve

Bendigo City FC: 1. Gianmarco D’ORIA (GK), 2. Riley DILLON, 3. Tristan ROMEIN, 5. Rylan SADLER, 9. George SLEFENDORFAS, 10. Corey SLEVIN, 13. Joe WILLIAMS, 15. Godwill BASHA, 16. Sam SCOBLE (19. Wahid HASHIMI 83’), 20. Greg THOMAS (17. Charlie MCCORMICK 67’), 21. Prince QUANSAH 

Unused Subs: 4. Daniel REES, 18. Daniel PURDY, 30. Rob Munday

Yellow Cards: Slefendorfas 39’, Slevin 55’, Scoble 75’, Quansah 80’

Red Cards: Nil

Dandenong City: 1. Damir SALCIN (GK), 2. Brad CLARKE, 3. Chris ROSS, 6. John CARROLL, 7. Keegan ZIADA, 8. Dario MATKOVIC, 9. Ashley CATTERMOLE, 10. Sean SEAVILL, 11. Andy JEREZ (4. Robbie WYNNE 85’), 12. Shaun FILIPOVIC, 14. Chris ANTONIADIS, (15. David DI LORIO 56’)

Unused Substitute(s): 20. Erkan FILIZ, 16. Servio YANEZ, 26. Jack PIGRATA

Yellow Card(s): Salcin 23’, Clarke 80’

Red Card(s): Nil