Buhic ignites Doveton

By Gavin Staindl
THE return of ex-Melbourne Knights player Leon Buhic to the Doveton line-up sparked a 6-1 victory over Sandringham.
Despite puddles splashed around the Waratah Reserve, Buhic managed to find the net twice in the first half to give the Provisional One team a 2-0 lead at half time.
Buhic showed no signs of the knee injury that kept him out for two and a half months, unleashing a 25-metre laser into the top right corner from the left boundary line for his first goal.
Due to lack of match fitness, Buhic was substituted in the 55th minute and Sandringham pounced on their chance to score.
But the celebrations from the visitors’ only goal were short lived as the young Doveton side streaked away to a commanding win.
“To be honest, the 6-1 scoreline was very kind to Sandringham,” Doveton Soccer president Daniel McMinimee said.
“John Ash missed two open goal chances when the ball held up in the water that if converted could have put us 8-1 up,” McMinimee said.
McMinimee was full of praise for Buhic who finally provided the avenue to goal and the steadying experience Doveton has been lacking.
“His presence gave our kids the chance to settle down and step up … the team has been positive and our defence has been solid but we haven’t been capping it off in the goals department.
“Buhic’s presence is crucial. We know he can score … and we’re always a better side when he is in,” McMinimee said.
But Doveton’s win was the only bright spot for the round as the two local teams in Provisional Two were both soundly beaten.
Both Berwick Kings and Endeavour United suffered 6-0 defeats.
Berwick gave up four goals in the second half as Riversdale stormed to a convincing win at Frog Hollow Reserve.
Endeavour fared no better, when their Lyndale opponents booted five goals in the last half to snuff out any hope Endeavour had heading into the change rooms at the break.
The win was almost a six-point game as Endeavour now fall six points behind the second-placed Lyndale
Meanwhile in the higher leagues of Division Two, Casey Comets and Berwick City both suffered one-goal losses.
Casey had the chance to remain in the hunt for promotion but their 1-0 loss to Diamond Valley all but kills off the chance of finishing first.
Their loss now leaves them four games behind league-leaders Southern Stars.
Berwick City’s 2-1 loss to Frankston Pines could spell trouble for Berwick come the end of the season.
Berwick is facing the prospect of relegation and but had the chance to jump ahead of Frankston in the standings.
Instead, their loss now means they need to find at least six more points if they wish to jump out of the drop zone.