By JARROD POTTER
NPL – Round 2
THUNDER, lightning and torrential rain has called an end to Dandenong’s gallant effort against Bentleigh Greens.
A second half lightning storm left the match in complete darkness, but by then Bentleigh had pushed ahead 2-1 to likely take the points.
The strikes weren’t reserved to just the skies overhead at George Andrews Reserve as Dandenong Thunder opened the scorebooks early.
A happy homecoming for Dandenong champion Veton Korcari continued as he slotted his first goal in the black-and-red stripes this season. Brought into the box by stand-in skipper Brendan Elmazovski and livewire Yusuf Ahmed, the premiership powerhouse had no trouble slotting it to the edge to push the Thunder 1-0 ahead in the 21st minute.
Bentleigh would fight back through Matt Thurtell, scoring the equaliser just before half-time.
From there the skies darkened, with only lightning flashing through the dense cloud cover, before the heavens finally opened.
The last 20 minutes were played in the torrent as Thunder and Greens alike searched for the match-winner.
Dandenong coach Stuart Munro went to his bench and brought on speedy winger Dillon Jakupi, who relished the conditions and his first NPL opportunity.
Jakupi would create a couple of chances and importantly, gave it his all defensively, to impress the Thunder faithful and keep hope alive.
It would be Thurtell again to break Thunder hearts and send the majority of the crowd scrambling to their cars and off to the safety of home. Thurtell’s solo run, slotted past Thunder keeper Zaim Zeneli.
The match had to be called to an end in the 85th minute as power went off at George Andrews Reserve as part of the rolling blackouts that affected Victoria on Saturday night.
With Bentleigh ahead and only five minutes remaining in regulation, the points will likely go to Bentleigh pending league confirmation.
Dandenong Thunder heads to South Melbourne on Wednesday night for a mid-week Round-3 clash before hosting Green Gully on Saturday evening.
In other local results, Springvale White Eagles drew 1-1 with Murray United in NPL1 East action.
