By David Nagel
Pakenham United has continued its unbeaten start to the Men’s State League 5 South competition with a 2-2 draw against White Star Dandenong at IYU Reserve on Saturday.
United twice had the lead, but both times were pegged back by White Star, in an absorbing contest on United’s home pitch.
United fans didn’t have to wait long to get roaring, with last week’s man of the match, Simon Johnstone-Robertson, slotting one into the back of the net in the seventh minute to open his account for the season.
United defended well for the majority of the first half, before keeper Harry Wightman was exposed just before the break, with White Star striker Josh Bowen adding a crucial goal to the one scored against Mentone in round one.
United appeared to have all the answers, taking the lead back just three minutes after Bowen’s equaliser, and continued to hold the visitors out until there was 20 minutes left to play.
Bowen, who was becoming a nuisance, once again levelled the scores to begin a tough and tight contest to the final whistle.
White Star were shown three yellow cards in the second half, with United’s Albert Mambo joining them on the naughty list in the 79th minute.
New United manager Liam McCafferty then swung the changes late, looking to find the right combination to break the 2-2 deadlock.
But the changes were to no avail, the round two contest ending in a draw.
Pakenham will this week travel to Bunyip for the always highly-anticipated local derby.
The Strikers are sure to be in a nasty mood after suffering a 5-1 thumping at the hands of Mentone on Saturday.
The Strikers won 5-1 in round one, with their inconsistent start to the season making it difficult for McCafferty to know what to expect at the 3pm on Saturday.
United, in fourth position on four points, can open up a four-point gap on its local rival if it can get the job done on the weekend.
No matter ladder positions, the local derby is always a cracking contest!
MEN’S STATE LEAGUE 5 SOUTH
Results – Round 2
Pakenham United 2 v White Star Dandenong 2, Barton United 1 v Mount Martha 0, Hampton Park United 3 v Casey Panthers 0, Mentone 5 v Bunyip 1, Endeavour Hills 1 v Aspendale 3, Rosebud 2 v South East 2.
Fixture – Round 3
Bunyip v Pakenham United (Saturday 3pm), White Star Dandenong v South East, Hampton Park United v Aspendale, Endeavour Hills v Mentone, Casey Panthers v Mount Martha, Rosebud v Barton United.
Ladder
Mentone, Aspendale, Barton United 6, Pakenham United, South East United 4, Hampton Park, Bunyip 3, White Star Dandenong, Rosebud 1, Casey panthers, Endeavour Hills 0.
