Image: Con Chronis
NPL trio Green Gully, Heidelberg United and Hume City confirmed their passage into the final eight of the FFA Cup following victories on Wednesday and Thursday night respectively.
Last year’s national quarter finalists Gully faced the trickiest assignment on paper as they travelled to Knights Stadium to take on Avondale, who welcomed back star man Jonatan Germano into the XI.
Gully defensive midfielder Stephen Hatzikostas and Avengers full-back James Riccobene found themselves in unfamiliar scoring positions in the opening half only to flash their efforts just wide, while Wade Dekker’s strike from just outside the area sailed off target in an entertaining first half.
Germano and Alex Caniglia were both denied early in the second half by alert shot-stoppers on opposing ends before Chris Oldfield pulled off a remarkable reflex save to deny Matthew Reid’s header.
An excellent through ball from former Gully midfielder Evan Christodoulou played in striker Craig Carley, who shrugged off Reid before firing his shot wide off the post in a reprieve for the visitors.
That miss proved costly when a sweeping counter-attacking move from the NPL league leaders in the 70th minute found its way to Dekker, whose shot from 20 metres took a deflection which saw the ball leap over Oldfield and into the back of the net, sparking relieved celebrations from the away side.
The goal was the former Melbourne City striker’s second in as many games against Avondale this term, having already netted in the Round 5 1-1 draw between the two sides at the same venue.
Energetic wide forward Nick Krousoratis then played through Jay Davies but the English midfielder placed his shot over the bar after doing well to beat his marker and set himself up for the shot.
However the miss did not prove costly as the Brian Vanega’s side held on for an important triumph as they look to repeat last year’s FFA Cup heroics which saw them knock out the Central Coast Mariners.
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Over at ABD Stadium, Hume City defeated the last remaining State League One North Sunshine Eagles 5-0 as they look to secure their place in the national Round of 32 for a third year running.
A lofted cross into the danger area by James McGarry found the head of defender Bryan Bran who marked his return from a one-game suspension with the game’s opening goal in the 7th minute.
A pile-driver from range by Captain Nick Hegarty on 20 minutes doubled Hume’s advantage heading into the break, with the fierce low strike having enough power to beat Eagles goalkeeper Frano Saric.
The scoring continued in the second half when wide man Jayden Prasad and Theo Markelis got much needed goals to their name – the latter a terrific lob over the advancing Saric.
City’s domination on the scoreboard was capped off in the dying minutes of the game when former Eagles defender Dillon Jakupi went on a surging run down the right before whipping in a cross which was met at the front post by a well-placed volley by substitute Liam Boland.
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Round 6’s final tie took place at Olympic Village as a Kenny Athiu brace inspired Heidelberg United to a 3-1 triumph over Kingston City as the Warriors look to repeat their run to the last eight of 2015.
The game’s four goals fell in the space of 12 second half minutes when in-form Scot Sean Ellis rounded City shot-stopper Sermin Sadikovski following a defensive mishap from the visitors.
However, the 2016 NPL2 Champions were right back in it three minutes later when a bullet of a strike from winger Mouad Zwed found the top corner of the net, having initially cut in from the left.
The Bergers restored their advantage in the 74th minute when a corner was met by the head of veteran defender Steven Pace, who found Athiu at the back post to volley in a fierce shot from close range.
A foul on former South midfielder Andrew Cartanos by another ex-Hellas midfielder in Chris Irwin allowed Athiu to complete his double from the penalty spot four minutes later and seal the Warriors’ passage into the next round, with both sides now meeting each other in the league on Monday night.
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The draw for the all-important seventh round takes place from midday today and is being live streamed on Football Federation Victoria’s official Facebook page.
Bentleigh Greens (NPL), Dandenong City (NPL2), Green Gully (NPL), Heidelberg United (NPL), Hume City (NPL), Moreland City (NPL2), Northcote City (NPL2), South Melbourne (NPL) are the clubs remaining in the competition.