Friday, 26 April 2013 10:44 AM
By John Kyrou
South Melbourne FC can create history when it travels to George Andrews Reserve to play the Dandenong Thunder on Saturday afternoon. If it defeats the defending Victorian Premier League Champion, South will break a Club record for most consecutive away victories at the beginning of a League season (4 wins).
South go into the game on the back of a hard-fought 1-2 away victory against the Bentleigh Greens last Friday night at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex. Headers from Brad Norton and Renco Van Eeken were enough for South Melbourne to see off a very difficult Bentleigh Greens side and continue their 100% winning start to the 2013 Victorian Premier League season. South has not lost an away match in the Victorian Premier League since losing to Bentleigh on 15 June 2012 and has been undefeated in eight away games since, including winning the last five in a row.
Dandenong Thunder have had an inconsistent start to 2013, following their comprehensive sweep of the Premier League and State Knockout Cup competitions in 2012. The Thunder began the season with a three point deduction and recorded a 0-0 draw in the opening round against Southern Stars before losing 0-3 at home against Bentleigh. Last weekend, the Thunder were 0-1 down at home against Richmond but eventually prevailed 3-1 thanks to three second half goals.
There are still injury clouds surrounding Alan Kearney, with the midfielder still in doubt to play against the Thunder on Saturday. Captain Luke Byles hobbled off the ground with a fractured knee cap and injured shoulder but is still expected to captain the side on Saturday, Trent Rixon and Tom Matthews look set to feature for the Under-21s side on Saturday in order to regain match fitness as quick as possible following their injuries.
South enjoys the trip to George Andrews Reserve, having not experienced a defeat at the venue in four visits. Since Dandenong joined the Victorian Premier League in 2009, South has departed George Andrews Reserve with two wins and two draws. In the corresponding fixture last season played on Saturday 26 May 2012, Nate Foster’s 84th minute header cancelled DImi Hatzimouratis’ 73rd minute in what was an entertaining 1-1 draw.
Saturday’s match kicks off at 3:00PM. South Melbourne FC wishes to advise once more that the game is being played behind closed doors due to Dandenong Thunder’s five match lock-out ban by Football Federation Victoria. As such, SMFC TV is screening a live broadcast of the match at Beachcomber Cafe in St Kilda from 2:30PM. Entry is FREE! All fans are invited to attend the viewing and hopefully witness South win four consecutive away matches at the beginning of a League season for the first time in its 54 year history.
SMFC TV – Last time we met