By David Nagel
Pakenham United has squandered a golden opportunity to make ground on the top teams in the Men’s State League 5 South competition after a 2-2 draw with Rosebud.
United looked set for another rollicking victory, to back up its 4-0 and 5-0 wins over the last fortnight, when Dusko Erkalovic gave the visitors an early lead from the penalty spot after just four minutes of play.
United dictated terms in the first half, with captain Vince Makota in fine form and Albert Mambo and Sila Onye also in the thick of the action.
And United’s quest to leap-frog into the top half of the ladder received a further boost when Erkalovic struck again just before half time.
The United rooms were buzzing at the break as both teams prepared to return to Olympic Park for the second half.
But United’s cool and calm demeanour quickly disappeared after the resumption of play after Rosebud skipper Blake Hicks narrowed the margin in the 49th minute.
It was the first goal for Hicks since April 30 when he scored a double against Aspendale.
Pakenham then received its hammer blow when Rieley Gill squared things up at 2-2 with just 11 minutes left in regulation time.
Pakenham had its chances late in the contest, but walked away with a disappointing draw against one of the cellar-dwellers of the competition.
Pakenham coach Liam McCafferty will have to work some real magic with his side this week, with only a six-day break before a Friday-night trip to top-of-the-table White Star Dandenong.
White Star will be full of confidence on its own pitch this week after scoring a thrilling 2-1 victory over Mentone.
White Star fell behind after a Max Dunn strike in the 29th minute but locked things away courtesy of a Josh Bowen strike just eight minutes later.
Onur Goksu then took his side to the top of the table with a calm conversion, just four minutes after half time, to leave Mentone Grammar with the three points.
Friday night’s game between White Star and Pakenham United at Greaves Reserve kicks off at 8.30pm.
MEN’S STATE LEAGUE 5 SOUTH
RESULTS – ROUND 12
Rosebud 2 v Pakenham United 2, Endeavour Hills 0 v Bunyip Strikers 0, Mentone 1 v White Star Dandenong 2, Mount Martha 2 v South East United 3, Aspendale 0 v Casey Panthers 3, Hampton Park United 0 v Barton United 1.
LADDER
White Star Dandenong 29, Barton United 28, Mentone 25, Casey Panthers 21, Hampton Park 19, Bunyip 17, South East United 17, Pakenham United 14, Aspendale 11, Mount Martha 10, Rosebud 6, Endeavour Hills 1.
FIXTURE – ROUND 13
Friday, 10 June, 8.30pm: White Star Dandenong v Pakenham United.
Saturday, 11 June, 3pm: Bunyip v Mentone, Mount Martha v Barton United, Aspendale v Endeavour Hills, Casey Panthers v Hampton Park United, South East United v Rosebud.
