Ajao leads Lions to first win over Dandy City
Eastern Lions begins its NPL adventure with a hard-fought 3-2 away win over Dandenong City in sweltering conditions at Frank Holohan Reserve on Saturday afternoon.
A fantastic double either side of the break from Nigeria-born striker Philip Ajao and a stunning long-range volley by defender Thomas Falconer set the Lions on course for three points, while David Di Lorio and substitute Ricardo Gonzalez scored for the hosts.
Aaron Healey's men came into the clash without the suspended Dario Matkovic and injured Simon Storey, while last year's NPL 1 Best and Fairest Sean Seavill started the match on the bench.
The newcomers to the competition also had several players out through injury as both sides struggled to create many chances in a cagey opening to the game.
Dandenong City's Ashley Cattermole had the game's first genuine shot on goal when his powerful free kick from the edge of the box was well saved by Eastern Lions goalkeeper Robert Havercroft in the 12th minute.
The Lions began to gain more of the ball then on but were caught out when City left-back Chris Ross played through David Di Lorio who delightfully chipped the goalkeeper to give the hosts the lead on the half hour mark.
That lead was short-lived however as Lions defender Falconer launched a volley into the corner of the net, past a hapless Damir Salcin in City goals to level the scoring.
One would become two minutes later, when the dangerous Ajao managed to nutmeg his opponent, and beat another, before hammering the ball into the back of the net, giving the visitors a surprise 2-1 lead going into the break.
City came out of the sheds the more likely of the two sides with tricky winger Keegan Ziada giving the Lions defence some trouble, but the hosts were undone when Ajao managed to beat the offside trap to slot home his second of the match and give his side a 3-1 lead.
Cattermole and Di Lorio both had good chances to reduce the deficit before substitute Ricardo Gonzalez did so after a goalmouth scramble with just over 15 minutes to go.
Despite the home side's best efforts, which included two disallowed goals late on, Jim Williams' men held on for a famous away win to kick off their NPL 1 campaign in style with a 3-2 win.
MATCH DETAILS
Dandenong City 2 (Di Lorio 29', Gonzalez 74') defeated by Eastern Lions 3 (Falconer 35', Ajao 42, 53') at Frank Holohan Reserve [HT 1:2)
DANDENONG CITY: 1. Damir SALCIN (gk), 2. Brad CLARKE, 3. Chris ROSS, 4. Robbie WYNNE, 5. Alex ROJAS (18. Chris SANTINA 45'), 6. John CARROLL, 7. Keegan ZIADA, 9. Ashley CATTERMOLE, 11. Andy JEREZ, 12. Shaun FILIPOVIC (13. Ricardo GONZALEZ 65'), 15. David DI LORIO (10. Sean SEAVILL 63')
Unused Substitute(s): 17. Daniel BUHIC, 42. Anthony CASSET
Yellow Card(s): Clarke 64', Wynne 85'
Red Card(s): None
EASTERN LIONS: 1. Robert HAVERCROFT (gk), 2. William ELLIS, 3. Matthew PERRY (15. Yianni TOUMANIDIS 87'), 5. Thomas FALCONER, 6. Andrew WILLIAMS, 7. Ziggy RAZUKI, 8. Mitch BEAMISH, 9. Louis RAZUKI (4. Chris PACE 74'), 10. Philip AJAO, 11. Munyaradzi NYADZAYO, 13. Jarrah CLEAR
Unused Substitutes: 12. Daniel RODRIGUES, 14. Jordan HORN, 21. Steve PAPAZOIS
Yellow Card(s): Williams 67', Nyadzayo 90+5, Toumanidis 90+
Red Card(s): None
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