A heavily-rotated South Melbourne FC did what was expected of them, breezing past State League Four side Keysborough SC 10-0 at John Cain Memorial Reserve.
The less fancied visitors were spirited in defeat, holding off the 2015 Minor Premiers to a scoreless opening 22 minutes – Steve Hatzikostas steering home the opener with a left footed drive from outside the area – and just a three goal opening half courtesy of two goals to Milos Lujic
Keysborough almost pegged a goal back just moments from the restart, but Victor Pinto was unable to steer his chip inside the post after being played through by Ali Husen.
Instead, Lujic was allowed to complete his hat-trick, while Leigh Minopoulos also struck thrice late, substitute Matthew Millar grabbed two and Chris Irwin – one of the best on ground – grabbed one.
South enjoyed a number of early chance before their opener, Irwin hit the side netting before seeing another effort cleared off the line with Andy Kecojevic blazing a tough first-time chance over the bar from close range.
Husen showed good pace to close down South keeper Zaim Zeneli and nearly got reward for his effort, but the custodian was there to clear danger, getting clattered in the process.
Hatzikostas then found the opener, with Lujic tapping home for 2-0 soon after.
Irwin’s cross spotted Lujic at the top of the area, who was denied his second by a good save from keeper Jean-Michel MacLou – Kecojevic once again going over on the follow up.
The target man eventually grabbed his second, capitalising on the perfect service of Amadu Koroma on his starting debut for South Melbourne, to float a header in off the post.
He grabbed his hat-trick just moments after the half-time break, tapping home from a pacy Irwin cross which split keeper and defence on it’s way to Lujic.
Minopoulos broke the lines and played a ball through for Irwin to grab his side’s fifth, then substitute Millar grabbed a sixth on 67 minutes with a powerful effort cutting in from the right wing.
The game saw a second hat-trick of the afternoon as Minopoulos struck three times in eight minutes; first steering an effort past the keeper, then tapping home from on the goal line following Marcus Schroen’s squaring header.
His last was the pick of the bunch as he broke the lines following a looping ball from the deep, breaking and rounding the keeper before applying a clinical finish from an angle.
Millar – this time on the left – cut in to find the back of the net for a 10th time as a collective, beating two opponents and blasting home into the near post.
Keysborough SC coach Michael Tapai was full of admiration for the opposition on the afternoon and despite the sizeable class difference on the pitch, was happy with the hit out for his team ahead of their own league campaign.
“As I’ve said previously, it’s a great honour for our club to play South Melbourne. To be on the same pitch as them… I don’t think too many community clubs have had the honour of playing against South Melbourne. To be on the same pitch as them is a great honour.
“As for the result, it’s fair to say that there was always going to be a huge gulf in class difference and that’s what it ended up being. But from our point of view, preparing for the [State League] season, we got a good run out and did lots of chasing.
“It was an honour to be a part of it.”
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South Melbourne FC 10 (Hatzikostas 23′, Lujic 28′ 35′ 47′, Irwin 50′, Millar 67′ 86′, Minopoulos 70′ 76′ 78′) defeated Keysborough SC 0 at John Cain Memorial Reserve [HT: 3-0]
South Melbourne FC: 21. Zaim ZENELI (GK), 12. Amadu KOROMA, 4. Michael EAGAR (c), 5. Luke ADAMS (18. Matthew MILLAR 52′), 77. Steve HATZIKOSTSAS, 6. Philtzgerald MBAKA (17. Marcus SCHROEN 56′), 14. Chris IRWIN, 22. Andy KECOJEVIC, 27. Leigh MINOPOULOS, 9. Milos LUJIC (8. Matthew THEODORE 48′), 11. Luke EYLES
Unused Substitute(s): 1. Rory BRIAN (GK), 7. Nick EPIFANO
Yellow Card(s): Nil
Red Card(s): Nil
Keysborough SC: 1. Jean-Michel MacLou, 13. Heip TRAN, 4. Fabien L’EVEILLE, 3. Joel WITHERDIN, 5. Euclides GONCALVES, 6. Obed BAHEERATHAN (11. Gladioyn ROBERTS 57′), 10. Victor PINTO (8. Mert SAKRANLIOGLU 71′), 12. Marcello PIZZIRUSSO, 22. Marcus ROBERTS (15. Michael JURICIC 57′), 9. Heip TANG, 16. Ali HUSEN
Unused Substitute(s): 21. Joshua TOSCANO (GK), 18. Darren HANCOCK
Yellow Card(s): Husen 20′, Pizzirusso 27′
Red Card(s): Nil
Photo: Cindy Nitsos/South Melbourne FC