Mirabella Cup: Final 12 commences

The sixth round of the pioneering Mirabella Cup competition has commenced, with the current round branded as the Super 12’s stage.

Since its inauguration on March 19, the statewide cup tournament has encompassed an exceptional amount of media attention nationwide, albeit for both good and bad reasons.

However, a re-energised cup competition is what many throughout the football community had been craving for many years.

The now defunct Dockerty Cup was the previous Victorian cup competition. It had a rich vein of history and prestige, dating all the way back to 1909. The former cup tournament came to a closure in 2004, where current defending VPL champion, Green Gully Cavaliers, claimed the bragging rights.

As evidenced, cup football has an immense sum of history in Victoria. The Mirabella Cup has allowed cup football to strengthen the old tradition, whilst giving supporters a different outlook into a unique facet of the world game. Thus far, we’ve witnessed smaller outfits outshine their higher prominent opponents, reminiscent of David and Goliath.

Cobram Victory’s exploits throughout the cup has received media attention from all corners of the press, from print to the various social media outlets. The allure and glamour of cup football is evidently a distinctive trend in itself.

With the commencement of round six, only the one fixture has taken place so far. Dandenong Thunder welcomed fellow VPL counter-part Springvale White Eagles to their home turf. The other cup clash took place on Saturday, where the re-scheduled round five match between Ballarat Red Devils and St Albans Saints was eventually completed.

Game 1: Dandenong Thunder (VPL) vs Springvale White Eagles (VPL).

Dandenong Thunder exemplified their early season credentials to challenge for the VPL title, after sitting top of the table and looking an ominous threat. However, since the turmoil that surrounded the club, resulting in a six-point deduction, fines imposed on the club and lockout to the club’s fans, the outfit has looked bruised and battered failing to win a league encounter since its round 13 feat over lowly St Albans Saints on May 22.

The Springvale White Eagles are a near certainty to be relegated from the VPL, having to win the remainder of their fixtures and reply on other results to fall their way. With a sub-standard return in the VPL, following promotion from State League One last year, the Mirabella Cup has been on of the bright lights for the club this season, forcing their way into the final 12.

And so, on a chilly, gusty Tuesday evening, Springvale White Eagles held the delusion of inflicting further misery on Thunder’s tumultuous campaign at George Andrews Reserve. With an imposed ban by the FFV on supporters attending Dandenong’s home fixtures, this Mirabella Cup fixture was only opened to club officials and accredited media. With a hollow atmosphere surrounding the event, both outfits strived to forget the off-field dilemmas and concentrate their attention onto the pitch.

Despite their recent dramas, Thunder came out with an array of attacking play, constantly applying pressure on Springvale’s final third. With a sense of pride to play for, Thunder looked boisterous to redefine their challenging season, combining well to have Springvale on the back foot. With numerous chances on goal, Thunder were unlucky not to break the deadlock, hitting the woodwork on two occasions through Shane Rexhepi and Ashley Stott.

However, Springvale condensed the pressure being applied and went into the halftime interval on level terms with the score at 0-0.

With a wealth of opportunities gone begging, Thunder payed the ultimate price for squandering numerous chances in the opening half. Dominic D’Angelo lashed on to an opening against the run of play to plant Springvale in the lead halfway through the second half. It was bitter pill to swallow for Dandenong, who dominated vast periods of the opening half, to go unrewarded.

Thunder pressed vigorously to score that illustrious equaliser, however their fortunes turned against them, as Dandenong committed several players forward. Vulnerable on the break, Springvale seized their opportunity with a fast break, to catch Thunder’s backline off guard. The resulting scenario concluded with Springvale doubling their advantage and sending the Eagles’ outfit into ecstasy. For a team that hasn’t had too much to celebrate this season, the scene was a memorable occasion for Springvale.

The resulting goal sealed victory, as the Springvale White Eagles marched their way to an unprecedented last-six appearance in the inaugural Mirabella Cup.

Round 5 catch-up game – Ballarat Red Devils (State 2) vs St Albans Saints (VPL).

Ballarat held the honour of welcoming St Albans Saints to Trekardo Park. The Saints have had a turbulent season, following their promotion to the VPL this year. Sitting last on the table, the Saints would need to perform a near miracle to reside in the top flight of Victorian football for another year. The transformation from State League One to the VPL hasn’t been an easy task, struggling to be competitive in many fixtures.

Meanwhile, the Red Devils have comprised of a successful season thus far, with galvanising performances in both their league and cup form. With congestion surrounding the State League Two N/W table, the Red Devils are optimistic of their promotion prospects, with only a few points separating them from a potential State League One appearance next year. In regards to the Devils’ cup form, a fabulous display against North Geelong Warriors (State 1) in round four saw Ballarat triumph 1-0, courtesy of a Luke Armstrong strike in the 109th minute.

Given the Saints’ dreadful form this season, the Red Devils were buoyant of overcoming their opposition on home turf, despite the latter plying their trade in a division two grades higher.

Ballarat commenced the match in the perfect fashion. Charlie King opened his scoring account with a wonderful strike from inside the penalty area to send the Ballarat faithful into raptures. With only 10 minutes played, it was an ideal way to begin proceeding. King’s early strike was the difference at the halftime interval, with Ballarat leading 1-0.

The second period commenced in pulsating fashion. Following the referee’s resumption, St Albans Saints brought the ball forward and were rewarded with an equaliser just seconds into the half. Louis Fenton’s goal brought the Saints back into the encounter.

With the scores level, both outfits continued to show their attacking intent, however it was Ballarat who clinical in-front of goal.

Jermaine Fletch claimed the important goal for Ballarat, winning the contest from a corner to header the ball into the top right corner of the net.

Following the goal, further drama erupted when the Red Devils’ Joshua Romein was awarded a penalty. However, St Albans’ keeper Steven Pavlovic stepped up to the mantle, diving desperately to his right, to make a wonderful save.

With the Saints still in the contest, St Albans pressed forward searching for that eminent equaliser. However, it wasn’t meant to be as Ballarat sealed victory with a superb strike from English import Adam Newbold, hitting an almost unstoppable strike at the bottom right corner of the goal.

Ultimately, Ballarat Red Devils recorded an impressive 3-1 feat over St Albans Saints. With this win, the Red Devils will face a sterner assignment, when they meet VPL outfit, Hume City in the final 12. A stimulating encounter awaits.

Courtesy of Goal Weekly.

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