Doveton’s Veresa Toma struggles to fend off Berwick City recruit Jason Rand during the Doves 3-2 win on Saturday. By Paul Pickering
DOVETON striker Leon Buhic dealt a gallant Berwick City side the cruellest of blows on Saturday, slotting a 92nd-minute sealer to see the Doves prevail 3-2 in Football Federation Victoria action at Jack Thomas Reserve.
The epic State League Division Three South-East clash seemed to be heading towards a fitting draw before Buhic pounced on a loose ball to deliver the knockout punch in extra time.
Earlier, the Doves had surged to a 2-0 lead just six minutes into the game on the back of goals from Buhic and Reha Ulusoy.
But City responded on the back of a scorching first-time strike from boom recruit Orlando Mejias, before equalising when diminutive youngster Justin Fernand scored from a contested ball in the box.
Only Buhic’s timely heroics could break the 2-2 halftime deadlock.
Despite the disappointing finish, City coach Joe Carroll was buoyed by the unlikely comeback.
“It’s the best I’ve seen a Berwick team play since I’ve been there,” Carroll said.
“They were absolutely superb.”
Meanwhile, Doveton coach Sam Elmazi was less than impressed by his own charges.
“The youth and endurance was all on Berwick’s side, and that can win you games, so all credit to them,” he said.
“But if we had 10 per cent of that effort, we would have romped it in.”
Elmazi was particularly critical of his midfield, labelling it as “non-existent”.
“The experience and natural ability of our players got us over the line, but there’s no work rate in the side at the moment,” he said, before delivering a back-handed compliment to his team.
“If they pull their fingers out and do some work, they’ll win the league.”
Elsewhere in Division Three, Springvale City suffered a 2-1 loss away at Southern Suburbs, while Heatherton were defeated 1-0 by Morwell and Endeavour United lost to Boroondara 3-2.
In State League Division Two South-East, a second-half goal from David Terek allowed Casey to salvage a 1-1 draw from its clash with Diamond Valley United at Comets Stadium.
