Goal Scorer: Leo Shin.
DANDENONG THUNDER 1 SUNSHINE GEORGE CROSS 1 (0-1)
Line Up: M. John , B. Devlin, D. Cameron, C. Sweeney L. Shin, F. Richards, B. Cogger, A. Bourakis, E. Christodoulou, S. Romein (J. Blackburn 57), T. Apostolikas (A. Nabbout 70). Subs: L. Grounds, T. Waterson, C. Salik. Goal Scorer: Leo Shin.
The few Georgies fans who made the long trek to Dandenong were rewarded by seeing their beloved team produce one of the best fighting performances this season. The 1-1 draw produced a welcome result, but with a little more steadiness in front of goal, it could have been all 3 points. Sunshine George Cross who is fighting to avoid relegation produced a workman like performance and were well worth a point in this contest, against a team who is still in with a chance of making the finals. The Georgies went into the half time break, leading 1-0 courtesy of an 8th minute goal from Leo Shin. The tiny dynamo received a good pass from Barry Devlin and out sped 2 Dandenong defenders before placing the ball over the advancing Stewart Webster. Sunshine George Cross continued to press and took the game right up to the home team with good inter-passing. A good passage of play involving 3 Georgie players resulted in a good opening for Evan Christodoulou who shot just over the cross-bar. Dandenong had their moments with former Perth Glory player Scott Bullock causing concern on the right flank. He created a couple of good openings and went close to scoring himself, but his desperate attempt went well over the cross-bar. Taxiharis Apostolikas caused Dandenong's keeper Stewart Webster anxious moments when his floated centre had him back peddling to clear the danger. The Georgies should have doubled their lead after 19 minutes following a good play by Evan Christodoulou and Fidell Richards who set up Andrew Bourakis with the best opportunity of the game. Bourakis did everything right, but his attempt on goal from 10 yards out, disappointed all in the Georgie camp. Dandenong went close to levelling the scores when a free kick found Ryan Davidson whose shot went narrowly past the upright. Other first half chances fell to Apostolikas whose shot whistled over the cross-bar. Right non the stroke of half time a quick counter attack by Sunshine saw man of the match Leo Shin end a good move with his shot hitting the side netting. Dandenong made the Cross pay for their missed first half chances by drawing level 5 minutes into the second half. Andrew Bourakis was caugth in possession in midfield with Jamie Reed letting the ball run onto Scott Bullock who made no mistake from close range. The start of the second half was very scrappy by the Georgies and it took some re-organisation by fill in coach Takis Svigos to settle the team again. He replaced Shaun Romein with James Blackburn after 57 minutes and the move paid off. The game swung from end to end with most attacks breaking down at the edge of the penalty area. The Georgies looked the most likely to score forcing several corner kicks. Following a short corner 'Tex' Apostolikas almost pulled off a sensational goal in the 60th minute when his back-heeled attempt went narrowly past the upright. Substitute Andrew Nabbout reverse pass in the 72 minute put James Blackburn in on goal with only the Dandy keeper in his path. He could not get the better of the sprawling Stewart Webster who produced a good save. Tiny midfielder Leo Shin was outstanding for Sunshine displaying wonderful skills in the very heavy conditions. He did a lot of defending and his runs left opponents in his wake. In the 77 minute Shin carried the ball 35 metres before unleashing a shot that took Stewart Webster two attempts to save. It was anyone's game and Dandenong's goal scoring machine Jamie Reed outmuscling Barry Devlin and Craig Sweeney. He cut in from the left and had Martin John pulling off a great save to keep the score even. It was the Georgies who were finishing the stronger with Fidell Richards shooting hard and low at goal. The ball fell to youngster Andrew Nabbout who went past his marker, but from close range Nabbout found the side netting in the final minute of play. The Georgies had enough chances to win the match and end the relegation woes once and for all. The feeling at the final whistle reflected mixed emotions with the Cross players happy with the point earned against a side of the callibre of Dandenong Thunder. At the same time the result leaves the Sunshine George Cross in a state of limbo with so many unanswered questions with one more match remaining. Considering the poor condition of George Andrews Reserve this was a terrific match and both sides can take credit for the game they produced. The under 21 match was postponed due to the conditions, and it took Referee Hakan Akan a lot of deliberating before giving the go ahead to play the senior game. This coming Sunday the Georgies play their final game of the season at the Knights Stadium when they take on final's aspirant South Melbourne, in what will surely be a tense nail biting afternoon, as the Cross try to win, or at least draw, and hope other results go in their favour. The game kicks off at 3.00pm.