Summary: An energetic game of NPL football has concluded with a 2-2 draw between South Melbourne FC and Dandenong Thunder FC. While South held a majority of possession throughout the match, Dandenong were able to catch South on the counter multiple times and capitalised on their opportunities.
At the climax of assignment season last week, it was very hard for me to find time to write up this match report. Unfortunately, that means it will be released a day before our next match, but to be honest it’s a miracle it was written at all.
Leading up to this match, promotional material suggested that Billy Konstantinidis would not only be playing, but be given a starting position. After a month of absence, my anger had receded, and I was actually relieved to seem him back on the squad, knowing that we finally had a striker to utilise. The most surprising absence (for me at least) was that of Gerrie Sylaidos, who is currently on trial with A-league side Central Coast Mariners. There was also no Bereveskos on the team sheet, another blow to the fluidity of our midfield. It was almost ironic how, when one area of our lineup clicks, another becomes disjointed. Both Marafiotis found themselves on the pitch, another unexpected decision. However, my concerns were mostly overshadowed by the large amount of hope I placed on Billy’s shoulders.
In the beginning of the match, both teams held a majority of their possession in the centre of the pitch, only straying to create half-chances. Aside from a shot far too central by Schroen and a weak left footed attempt by a Dandenong defender, there wasn’t much to report in the first 15 minutes. While it didn’t lead to anything, it’s worth reporting that around this point in the match Kostas Stratomitros, noting Pierce Clarke was off his line, attempted to chip the goalkeeper from the halfway line. While his shot was not powerful enough to lob the keeper, its accuracy was still commendable, and better than some shots I’ll have to report on later in this piece.
In the 19th minute, a counterattack saw Dandenong try a long ball (much like Stratomitros’) that found its way to Brandon Barnes, who had squeezed himself in-between Marshall and Kristian Konstantinidis. Both had temporarily lost track of him, and within a split second Barnes found himself one-on-one with Roganovic. Unsure whether to come out further off his line (to compensate for the non-existent defending) or remain in a fixed position, Roganovic slipped, and all Barnes had to do was lob it over him. The goal was a frustrating one to concede, but that doesn’t come down to Roganovic’s performance, because its entire buildup displayed a similar ineptitude. What was somewhat worrisome was that, despite our attack looking better structurally, we were taking far less shots than usual, which does not aspire confidence when trailing.
Luke Adams assumed the right back role over Ben Djiba, one that I don’t think he performed as well in. He seemed to lack the pace necessary for those aggressive runs up the line, which resulted in very few meaningful crosses. Just like in every game, we had plenty of golden opportunities that were left uncapitalised, and our first was in the 25th minute. Finally finding a presence in the game, Giuseppe Marafioti linked up well with Billy, allowing our striker to lay off a cross into the box. The ball went passed the keeper, was kept in by an athletic Nick Krousoratis display, and found its way to the feet of Giordano Marafioti. The young striker somehow blazed the ball over the bar, and I couldn’t help feel like with it the game. I know that’s very dramatic to say, but the only way to win a football match is to score goals. And when a team struggles to put away goal-scoring opportunities, the better the chance the more valuable the opportunity. And while I would have wanted Billy in that position, then who would have crossed in the ball?
Billy dropped back quite frequently during this match, a strategy I’m not sure was effective. Our long balls still weren’t great, and even if Konstantinidis was there to win the headers, it didn’t lead to anything. While Dandenong seemed to get the better of us in the first half, the last 10 minutes saw us dominate possession, and (perhaps due to our re-structured attack) we were rewarded. This season, its has been incredibly frustrating watching our set-kicks. Corners and free kicks don’t even feel like rewards anymore, as there seems to be no strategy when taking them. However, on the stroke of half time, the planets aligned, and a good corner was met with a somewhat directed header. While Giuseppe hadn’t been dominant, his header past the keeper seemed invaluable at that moment in time. To finish the half on equal terms was imperative, as the match required us to capitalise on the far fewer chances we had.
Very early on, I realised that we were creating far more chances in the second half. It contained more aggression familiar to our play-style, which was evidently lacking in the first half. Our first major chance came in the 52nd minute, where Bradley Norton’s cross was met with an on target, but central volley from Konstantinidis. Ten minutes later, his one-on-one was denied by Clarke again. Unlike our other potential striker options, Billy maintained a strong presence in the game. He was a source of confidence for our players, and a source of worry for Dandenong’s. It was only minute later where Billy finally attained his first goal for his new club. Giuesppe Marafioti, who had gone from invisible to invaluable, was able to bring the ball up the pitch, passing off to schroen who crossed it into the box. While substitute Leigh Minopoulos couldn't get his head on it, Krousoratis passed it along the floor and gave Billy an easy tap in. Our midfielders finally had a focal point to direct crosses to, and it was beginning to pay off. Billy then almost doubled his tally a minute later, connecting with a corner kick that required a reflex save over the bar by Clarke. Dandenong were still pressing at this point as well, with Barnes continually positioning himself in-between defenders to capitalise on multiple looming long balls.
Unfortunately, in a game as fast paced as this one had become, one goal wasn’t enough to ensure safety. Similarly to their first goal, South was caught on the counter, and Brandon Barnes (who had been evading our defenders all night) was able to slot the ball into the bottom left right for his second goal of the night. We kept the pressure on after conceding, but our dominance wasn’t translated into a winner. We played well on Saturday - it might be fair to say it was one of our best performances of the season. But with the position we find ourselves in, small mistakes can be haunting. I can’t help wonder what would’ve happened if Giordano hadn’t missed his tap in, or Roganovic hadn’t slipped. It would be harsh to say we are our own worst enemy from this display, but many of our issues seem somewhat self-inflicted.
Notable players: Billy Konstantinidis
South Melbourne FC: 2
Dandenong Thunder FC: 2
Next match: Oakleigh Cannons on the 5th of May, 4PM, Lakeside Stadium
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