The unveiling of the Mirabella Cup Round 6 (Super 12s) draw was announced recently, with some mouthwatering encounters on display.
The fixtures are due to take place between June 28 and July 6 (disregarding game two of Round 6). A full comprehensive preview has been conducted of each fixture:
Game 1: Northcote City (VPL) vs Port Melbourne (State 1).
An exciting contest awaits as the Mirabella Cup begins to showcase glamorous fixtures for the Victorian football community. Northcote City currently sits merely outside the top five in the VPL; their second season in Victoria’s pinnacle league following promotion has seen the club achieve fantastic achievements, memorably winning a spot in last year’s playoffs. Their round five cup tie saw them convincingly defeat local outfit FC Bullen Lions (State 1) 4-0. It was a contest which showcased Northcote’s aspirations for cup glory this year.
Meanwhile, Port Melbourne currently sit on top of the State League One ladder, as their endeavour to win promotion into the VPL looks a highly achievable objective. Their magnificent form has been a constituent fascist of their league and cup form this year. A destructive performance against powerhouse Victorian club South Melbourne saw the State League One outfit record an unforgettable upset.
Their 2-1 triumph in the dying minutes illustrated their capacity to play a high quality brand of football. Given Northcote’s status in the Victorian pyramid ranking, one would anticipate their inclusion into the next round; however writing off Port Melbourne would be in the vein of committing a sin. A compelling fixture is on hand, both outfits will be eager to win their place in the next round, expect a riveting contest.
Game 2: Ballarat Red Devils (State 2)/St Albans Saints (VPL) vs Hume City (VPL).
The fifth round tie between Ballarat Red Devils and St Albans Saints is yet to be played. Due to particular complications, the match is scheduled to take place on Saturday July 9. The eventual winner will then proceed to play VPL outfit Hume City.
Ballarat Red Devils have been in ominous form in State League Two N/W and only sit just outside a promotion play-off spot. The Devils last cup tie in round four came against North Geelong Warriors (State 1) where they triumphed in remarkable circumstances, with a Luke Armstrong strike in the 109th minute sealing a 1-0 victory.
In contrast, St Albans introduction to the top flight of Victorian football has been rather disappointing. Plummeted last on the table and almost definite to be relegated, the cup may play second fiddle to the Saints. St Albans won hard tightly contested encounter 1-0 against Geelong (State 2) in round four. Their clash with Ballarat should encompass another hard fought contest. Ballarat will attempt to take advantage of a vulnerable St Albans outfit, expect little between these sides.
Meanwhile, Hume City is playing a great brand of football in both the league and cup. Sitting on top of the VPL table, Hume will hold the hallucination of a possible double triumph this season. Hume’s round five cup fixture saw the VPL outfit outshine Moreland City (State 2) 2-1, a scoreline closer than many expected.
Game 3: Southern Stars (State 1) vs Oakleigh Cannons (VPL).
Southern Stars will boast all the confidence in the world when it hosts high flyer Oakleigh Cannons at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex. The Stars and Cannons are both performing strongly at the top end of their respective leagues, in State League One and the VPL respectively. With the Stars holding grand ambitions of playing at the pinnacle level next season, this encounter could be regular encounter if all things come into fruition throughout this campaign.
Last round, the Southern Stars had one of the most surprising records of the competition, when it eclipsed past Bentleigh Greens (VPL) 4-0 in a morale boosting fixture. As evidenced, the Stars are capable of knocking off higher division teams, in charismatic fashion. However, their encounter with the Cannons should showcase a tougher assignment ahead. Oakleigh’s round five cup game saw the Cannons defeat Pascoe Vale (State 1) 1-0. The Stars to register a tougher contest for Oakleigh, however given the status and form of the VPL outfit, it is expect they will progress to the next round.
Game 4: Melbourne Knights (VPL) vs Cobram Victory (Regional).
Arguably the most highly anticipated fixture of the round. Cobram Victory’s cup exploits have taken them to the last 12, where the now the Regional outfit will face its toughest assignment yet-a date with former NSL champions, and current renowned VPL powerhouse Melbourne Knights on their home turf of Knights Stadium.
The Victorian, sorry Australian football community has had all eyes glued onto the rousing cup run of little known Regional outfit Cobram Victory. A club plying their trade on the Murray River boarder continues to surprise with major upsets. Reminiscent of the emblematic Australian culture, many people throughout the football fraternity have been backing the underdog.
We only need to read particular fan forums or social media sites, with many football fans backing Cobram. Their successive routs over Whittlesea Zebras (State 1) and FC Clifton Hill (State 2) have received an unprecedented amount of media. Victory’s exploits are a true illustration of the allure of cup football and what’s it’s able to showcase to our game.
By Melbourne Knights’ standards, this season has been nothing short of a failure thus far. Sitting on the lower spectrum of the VPL table, not too far from the relegation zone, the Knights have consistently performed below far and will be determined to turn around their season’s fortunes. This cup meeting represents an immense opportunity for progression into the next stage.
However, as evidenced by previous encounters against Cobram Victory, any team that takes them lightly or doesn’t perform at the pinnacle of their powers will be flirting with danger. Given the Knights’ status, it is expected they proceed to the next round in comfortable fashion. With the limelight firmly on Cobram, they will be ever so resolute to venture on and continue their fairytale hallucination.
Game 5: Heidelberg Utd (VPL) vs Green Gully Cavaliers (VPL).
A fascinating contest awaits as the first of two all-VPL contests takes its place in the inaugural Mirabella Cup competition. Of late, both outfits have hit a wealth of form and are assembling formidable attempts at being premiership credentials in the VPL.
Since Heidelberg’s inclusion from round four onwards in the cup, United has had reflective scorelines of a 4-2 margin- against Banyule City (State 2) and Preston Lions (State 1) respectively. Although, Green Gully will patently be their grandest test yet.
Green Gully boasts the title as the last club to win a state wide Victorian based cup competition. The Cavaliers possess the record of winning the coveted Dockerty Cup competition, which came to a termination in 2004. Reverting back to their Mirabella Cup form, the Cavaliers had a first up effortless 18-0 win over Regional outfit Mildura United, followed by a hard fought 1-0 victory over recently relegated Sunshine George Cross (State 1).
Their last meeting was back in round nine of the VPL, where Heidelberg claimed bragging rights with a hotly contested 1-0 triumph. There is little between these two outfits, as both will be eager and vigorous to venture onwards in the cup.
Game 6: Dandenong Thunder (VPL) vs Springvale White Eagles (VPL).
The second fixture representing an all VPL affair is the highly fancied Dandenong Thunder, who are welcoming Springvale White Eagles, an outfit struggling for survival in the VPL to George Andrews Reserve. Their solitary meeting this year surfaced in round eight of the VPL season, where Thunder made their presence felt with a commanding 3-0 triumph away from home at White Eagles Stadium.
Both clubs have had contrasting season’s, amid the controversy surrounding an incident at a Dandenong Thunder fixture, resulting in a points deduction, the club has been in promising form and looking to cement a spot in the VPL finals series. In stark contrast, the Eagles’ season is all about survival.
Following promotion from State League One with counter-part St Albans Saints last season, the Eagles held grand ambitions of challenging for a playoff position and being a competitive outfit. However, none of the above have come into fruition. With relegation drawing closer each week, the cup could be a distraction not warranted at this stage of the season.
Thus, it will be interesting to witness how the Eagles balance this juggling act. Given Thunder’s good vein of form, it is expected that they progress to the following stage.
Courtesy of Goal Weekly. Follow Robbie on Twitter, http://twitter.com/#!/robertdifabio
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