2014
When Somers Street’s favourite son Tomi Uskok found the back of the net to earn his side a Cup lead over South Melbourne, the pre-game narrative had taken a dramatic turn.
After all, the league’s runaway leaders South Melbourne – holding a four point gap on second placed Oakleigh Cannons – were facing a Knights outfit languishing near the lower echelons of the table, with injury ravaging the squad like a virus eating away its victim.
But as the cliche goes, the form guide is no use for a derby.
Despite an assumption that the hosts would recoup at the break and mount a comeback in the second half, Shayan Alinejad rammed another dagger into South’s heart, helping the Knights claim one of the most significant derby victories in recent years.
It was a clash with much more at stake than bragging rights.
An inaugural FFA Cup appearance beckoned, ending a decade long drought from the national spotlight.
It was always going to be a cruel end for one of Victoria’s two biggest clubs – divided on the pitch, but united off it in the fight for recognition of the game’s rich past now consigned to the dustbin of Australian football history – denied by the other a shot at the big time once more.
On that occasion, South Melbourne had to watch as the Knights revelled in the national limelight, albeit for a short run, knocked out in the Round of 32 by Olympic FC.
2015
When Somers Street’s favourite son Tomi Uskok found the back of the net to earn his side a Cup lead over South Melbourne, the pre-game narrative had taken a dramatic turn.
After all, South Melbourne had gained a foothold on the derby since that fateful Dockerty Cup defeat, claiming both the Community Shield and Round 8 encounter this season with come-from-behind 2-1 victories, along with a dramatic 4-3 victory in the second league derby last season.
Despite a promising start to the 2015 NPL season, the Knights were still eight points behind their counterparts on the ladder.
Yet why persist with a form guide for a derby?
With 10 minutes remaining and the same dagger circling South Melbourne, it seemed history would repeat itself and the Knights would hold on for another famous victory.
But three goals and two red cards later, a number of South Melbourne demons had finally been exorcised.
Hellas had finally overcome Croatia in an FFA Cup fixture – ironically leading for only about three of the 180 minutes over the two years – edging them ever closer to a maiden Cup berth at national level.
Nick Epifano, nursing a fractured relationship with a section of South fans following off-field incidents, became an instant hero with a match winning brace.
It was always going to be a cruel end for one of Victoria’s two biggest clubs – divided on the pitch, but united off it in the fight for recognition of the game’s rich past now consigned to the dustbin of Australian football history – denied by the other a shot at the big time once more.
The job isn’t done just yet for South, needing to win the next state match for their shot in the Round of 32, a run which could come to a grinding halt at any point.
But for state league clubs in a closed system, the FFA Cup’s national limelight is like a breath of life for a trapped diver, a gasp of air at the water’s surface before being pulled back under.