The fifth round of the Mirabella Cup competition has finally arrived with a great deal of anticipation for the clubs involved.
Seven of the twelve fixtures have been played thus far, while the majority of games will be played over the course of the long-weekend. This is possibly the most exciting round of the competition thus far, with many of the matches being regional derbies, the like of which are rarely seen due several leagues sometimes separating local rivals.
Recently, Football Federation Australia announced the withdrawal of the Victorian based A-League outfits, Melbourne Victory and Melbourne Heart, from participating in the rejuvenated statewide Victorian cup competition. The news was met with disappointment from the FFV and the Victorian football fraternity following their initial inclusion in the tournament. The dream of playing the heavyweights of Australian football will have to wait until the proposed nationwide FFA Cup competition comes into fruition next year.
Nevertheless, the Mirabella Cup has thus far brought an unprecedented amount of success to the local football community.
Game 1: Melbourne Knights (VPL) vs North Sunshine Eagles (Prov 1).
The cup run for North Sunshine faced a serious hurdle in the shape of former NSL champions Melbourne Knights. The Eagles disposed of former VPL champions Altona Magic (State 1) 2-1 in what was one of the upsets of the tournament.
The Knights had a more straightforward route to the fifth round with a comprehensive 6-2 triumph over Keilor Park (State 3). The Knights’ form in the VPL has been fairly poor of late, a turbulent time having left the Knights without a win since their 4-0 demolition of Bentleigh Greens on March 20.However this was overturned on the weekend with a commanding 5-0 win over Springvale White Eagles.
In an encounter where there are four divisions separating the respective sides on the Victorian pyramid, the Knights were expected to gain entry into the next round with ease. However, reminiscent of their cup form, North Sunshine rose to the occasion and stepped it up a gear to their higher league opposition. At the halftime interval, the Knights narrowly lead their Provisional League One opposition 1-0. Although the Eagles put up a brave fight, they eventually succumbed to a 3-1 defeat.
Game 2: Oakleigh Cannons (VPL) vs Pascoe Vale (State 1).
The league form of Oakleigh has been blistering to say the least, with the Cannons cementing equal top position on the VPL ladder. In stark contrast, Pascoe Vale have has mixed results in their respective league, sitting mid-table heading into the winter period.
The previous round in the cup saw Oakleigh cruise past Waverley Wanderers (State 3) 5-2, while Pascoe Vale enjoyed a comfortable over Mooroolbark (Prov 1). Pascoe Vale had the daunting assignment of travelling away to Jack Edwards Reserve to face the high flying Cannons.
Oakleigh scored the lone goal from a set-piece. A well flighted ball was crossed in from the wing, where it was met by a Cannons player who nodded it home. Pascoe Vale applied pressure on the Oakleigh defence; however they weren’t able to prevail. Oakleigh held on to cement a hard fought 1-0 victory.
Game 3: South Melbourne (VPL) vs Port Melbourne (State 1).
A fixture which had built to a high level of anticipation delivered a memorable and drama-filled encounter on a cold chilly night at SS Anderson Reserve. Former NSL powerhouse South Melbourne are the most decorated team in Victorian football, their achievements are second to none. That being the case, their recent form in the VPL has been rather shaky.
Meanwhile, the Port Melbourne Sharks are flying high in State League One, still undefeated after nine rounds as promotion to the elite level in Victorian football seems imminent.
Despite South Melbourne’s status within Victorian football, they weren’t able to prevail on this occasion with Port Melbourne recording a tremendous 2-1 victory in extra time. A 109th minute winner by Tim Paton sent the Shark’s faithful into ecstasy. It wasn’t an easy task for the Sharks who came back from a goal down to seal the win.
Former Melbourne Victory player Daniel Vasilevski gave South the early advantage with a well times header from a Daniel Dragicevic cross in the 29th minute. However, Port Melbourne resisted South’s onslaught and found their equaliser early in the second half with a goal against the run of play. From there on Port Melbourne had the better chances and were ultimately rewarded in extra time.
Game 4: Southern Stars (State 1) vs Bentleigh Greens (VPL).
The Southern Stars’ ambitions of playing at the top of the Victorian football pyramid are becoming a reality amid a telling season which sees the outfit grasp onto first position in State League One. Meanwhile, Bentleigh Greens site mid-table in the VPL, comprising of a somewhat inconsistent season with no real fluency amongst the team.
Nevertheless, the Stars would have a confronting assignment to dispatch of the VPL representative. The game started off in a competitive fashion, with both clubs showing their intentions to attack and take the game to their opponents. Both clubs cancelled each other out as the scores remained deadlocked at the halftime interval.
The Stars had an injection of inspiration as they re-entered the pitch, demonstrating an attacking foray of aptitude and exhilaration. The lower ranked Stars went on to score four second half goals to ultimately record an outstanding 4-0 victory over their higher ranked opposition. Following the victory, the Southern Stars will feel as though they’re capable of causing more upsets with a commanding presence in State League One and formidable form in the Mirabella Cup.
Game 5: Green Gully Cavaliers (VPL) vs Sunshine George Cross (State 1).
Reining VPL champions Green Gully Cavaliers had the simplest of assignment in their debut Mirabella Cup tie by outclassing regional outfit Mildura United in a record 18-0 triumph. Their defence of the VPL title got off to a slow start, however their momentum and form are building as the season draws on.
The recently relegated Sunshine have been struggling in their new surrounding in State League One, sitting just above the relegation zone heading into the June period.
Given their status at the top flight of Victorian football, the Cavaliers were the more fancied team to progress to the sixth round.
Following a spirited first half, neither side could gain the ascendancy with the scores remaining goalless at the halftime break. After the interval Green Gully seized their opportunity when Pasquale Vizzari headed the ball into the back of the net which would ultimately be the winning goal. Despite Sunshine’s growing pressure, the Cavaliers held on to record a hard fought 1-0 victory.
Game 6: FC Bullen Lions (State 1) vs Northcote City (VPL).
Another local derby was brought to life at the Veneto Social Club between FC Bullen Lions and Northcote City. Northcote City’s rich vein of form has seen the northern based outfit grasp a place in the top five of the VPL, while the Lions are having a sub-standard season in State League One, clutching onto 9th position just above the relegation zone.
It didn’t take long for Northcote to assert their dominance on the encounter with a goal in the 3rd minute by Tzoulis. Northcote continued their supremacy with a brilliant solo effort by Piemonte to double to advantage in the 29th minute. City effectively sealed the win on the stroke of halftime when Kalifatidis was fouled in the penalty area and subsequently took the initiative and slotted home the team’s third goal. At the halftime break, Northcote City led FC Bullen Lions 3-0.
The second half commenced in dreadful fashion for the Lions, conceding from a corner to gift Kalifatidis his second goal for the night. In the end, Northcote City were too strong and illustrated their technical superiority over their fledging opponents, recording a comprehensive 4-0 victory.
Game 7: Dandenong City (State 2) vs Dandenong Thunder (VPL).
The Dandenong derby had many people within the Victorian football community eagerly awaiting an invigorating, vibrant clash between the local rivals. Given Thunder’s supremacy within Victorian football, the VPL side were tipped by many to progress to next round.
Thunder commenced proceedings with the opening goal of the game midway through the first half. A well taken shot by Ashley Stott sent the Thunder faithful into raptures. That was the solitary goal of the half as Thunder held on to their slender advantage, leading 1-0 at the main break.
The second half commenced in a spirited manner, with both teams determined to take their opportunities in front of goal. City regrettably was not clinical in their final third, missing an array of chances and also hitting the woodwork. In the dying minutes, Thunder put the game to bed when Denis Ukalovski hit the back of the net.
City should be commended for their effort, almost sending the game into extra time. However it wasn’t to be as Dandenong Thunder claimed derby dominance in a well earned 2-0 triumph.
The fifth round of the Mirabella Cup continues over the long weekend as four of the final five ties take place. Springvale White Eagles (VPL) host Malvern City (State 2) tonight. On Saturday Hume City (VPL) welcome Moreland City (State 2), while Cobram Victory’s will look to continue their cup run as they make the road trip to play FC Clifton Hill (State 2). The final game on Sunday will pit two former NSL representatives together as local rivals Preston Lions (State 1) meet Heidelberg United (VPL). St Albans Saints are scheduled to play Ballarat Red Devils on 9 July.
Courtesy of Football Federation Victoria.
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