Doveton striker Leon Buhic returned to the goal-scorers’ list at Waratah Reserve on Saturday as the Doves triumphed 4-1 over Endeavour United. Picture: Luke Plummer. 17507By Paul Pickering
IT may have come against lowly foe Endeavour United, but Doveton’s commanding 4-1 victory on Saturday served as a warning of a revival at Waratah Reserve.
The State League Division Three South-East derby pitted divisional cellar dweller Endeavour against a Doveton side that has been depleted by injury, and unsettled by off-field upheaval, of late.
But the Doves returned to something resembling top form in a sparkling 30-minute period that reaped four goals either side of the half-time break.
Doveton conceded the opening goal 15 minutes in, when Endeavour United striker Muhammed Kirmaci, who was expertly teed up by his playing-coach Carlos Retre, finally capitalised on a flurry of early chances for the visitors.
But while Endeavour continued to press, it was the Doves who hit back through Miles Tidd 10 minutes before half-time.
Tidd found himself on the end of a masterful passage of play down the right side, knocking in a pinpoint cross to give his side the momentum going into the break.
Tidd struck again moments after resumption, then Veresa Toma turned his marker and unleashed a blistering strike into the roof of Endeavour’s net to put the Doves up 3-1.
From there, it was up to prolific striker Leon Buhic to cap off the victory by converting a free header at the back post with 25 minutes still to play.
With Buhic easing back into the team after returning from injury a fortnight ago and Tom Ingham set to rejoin the Doves as soon as this weekend, coach Michael Kupinic has reason to be excited about his side’s prospects.
Kupinic joined the club after the resignation of Sam Elmazi last month, and has been impressed with the Doves’ resolve.
“It’s always tough when you come in mid-season, but the guys have responded pretty well,” he said.
“And after two wins and a draw (in the past three weeks), the place is buzzing.”
After bottoming out with a 5-1 loss to Boroondara in round seven, the Doves sit just two points adrift of Berwick City in second place.
Berwick fought back from a 2-1 deficit to overhaul an in-form Heatherton United side 3-2 at Jack Thomas Reserve on Saturday.
Despite scoring the opener on a cheeky corner kick from Matthew Nitz in the second minute, the Lions conceded the advantage on goals to United pair Elvedin Klancevic and Marcus Roberts either side of the break.
But Berwick equalised through Nikolaos Papadopoulos in the 53rd minute before establishing the match-winning 3-2 advantage through a scorching strike from Jason Rand moments later.
The Lions are now sitting within the promotion bracket, but still six points shy of the rampaging Morwell Pegasus.
Meanwhile, in Division Two South-East, the Casey Comets lost 2-0 at home to Chelsea on Saturday, dropping to seventh on the ladder.
Round 11 match-ups: State League Division Two South-East: Casey Comets at Peninsula Strikers. State League Division Three South-East: Morwell at Endeavour United, Springvale City at Berwick City, Doveton at North Caulfield (Sunday).
