The sixth round (Final 12) of the Mirabella Cup competition has ventured into its second week of proceedings.
Thus far we had witnessed a major upset when VPL cellar-dweller Springvale White Eagles put in a memorable performance to eclipse their highly regarded counter-parts Dandenong Thunder on their home turf.
The 2-0 triumph cemented the Eagles’ spot in the final-six and gives the outfit an avenue to play for, following their recent confirmation of relegation back to State League One.
The other Mirabella Cup fixture was the round five catch-up game between Ballarat Red Devils (State 2) and St Albans Saints (VPL). Given the Saints’ turbulent season in the top flight, it wasn’t overly surprising that the Red Devils claimed a 3-1 victory. Ballarat will now have the opportunity of facing highly fancied Hume City (VPL).
In further cup news, the FFV, Melbourne Knights and Cobram victory have ultimately come to an agreement on their round six cup tie. The fixture will take place on Wednesday July 27, 8:00pm at Knights Stadium.
Game 2: Heidelberg United (VPL) 0-3 Green Gully Cavaliers at Olympic Village
The two VPL affiliates have been in a rich vein of form, amid both outfits occupying a spot in the VPL finals- with Heidelberg and Green Gully fourth and fifth respectively on the table.
Reiterating their cup journey in round five, Heidelberg United defeated old foes Preston Lions 4-2, while Green
Gully made hard work of their 1-0 victory over recently relegated Sunshine George Cross.
Both outfits were illustrating their early attacking intent with several chances at both ends of the pitch. Neither team occupied clear cut openings on goal; however both teams were guilty of squandering decent opportunities to take the advantage.
The referee then blew for halftime, with the scores locked at 0-0. The tie was emulating a typical cup encounter, with both clubs showcasing end to end football at a frantic pace. It was evidently do or die for these two prominent Victorian clubs.
Reminiscent of the opening period, both sides had an all out attacking mentality, pushing several numbers forward with quick ball movement and a tendency to play a short passing game in search for the opening goal. However, both clubs were once again guilty of squandering repeated chances in good positions.
The turning-point of the game came late, in the 79th minute. A wide pass from the right from Vizzari on the right hand corner of the box. With time and space on hand, Vizzari looks up and releases a swerving left foot shot towards the keeper’s far post. Diving to his right, Papadopoulos looks on as the ball strikes the post and rolls into the back of the net. The Cavaliers finally had something to show for the numerous chances in-front of goal.
Green Gully didn’t need to wait much long to double their lead, two minutes in fact. A low curling free-kick from Hockless on the left wing gets a slender flick on from Medjedovic and goes in at the far post. The Cavaliers held the advantage at 2-0 and effectively killed off the cup tie.
With the tempo of the game seemingly gone in the final minutes, Green Gully took full advantage to further their lead, courtesy of Cameron Drake in the 87th minute. Jason Hayne collects the ball on the right wing and finds an unmarked Drake at the far post. The subsequent header finds the back of the net and spells with a 3-0 scoreline in favour of the Cavaliers.
Game 3: Northcote City (VPL) 2-1 Port Melbourne (State 1) at SS Anderson Reserve
Northcote City have received mixed fortunes in the VPL this campaign. Sitting merely outside the finals position on the table, Northcote has resembled an outfit struggling for consistency and form at present. In the VPL the team has failed to win since its 2-0 feat against the lowly St Albans Saints.
Meanwhile, Port Melbourne have had an astonishing season in State League One, occupying first position and are seemingly en route to winning promotion back to the VPL. Their memorable 2-1 triumph over the prominent South Melbourne in the last round of the Mirabella Cup was a fantastic occasion for the club.
Wednesday night encompassed a cold, gusty, wet event, with conditions not ideal for showcasing pristine skill and fluent football.
Nonetheless, the contest commenced with both outfits exhibiting their intent on scoring an early goal. With numerous chances at both ends of the pitch, neither team was able to take the initiative in the opening half hour. Many players had difficulty acclimatising to the conditions.
In the 38th minute, Northcote opened the scoring. Jason Trifiro took full advantage of an error in Port’s final third, to finish a nicely timed strike.
Northcote further demonstrated their supremacy on the contest, doubling their advantage, courtesy of a brace from Trifiro moments before the halftime interval.
Both clubs came out firing in the second half, with chances at either end of the ground. Northcote City continued to illustrate their dominance on the contest, occupying the better chances, putting Port Melbourne under vigorous pressure on numerous occasions. With a vein of fortune, Port Melbourne withstood Northcote’s attacking foray and stayed in the game.
It wasn’t until the 91st minute where Port Melbourne scored a consolation goal. Mark Tsioralis’ well placed header from a cross on the wing was too little too late.
Moments later, the referee blew for full-time as Northcote City secured their place in the last-six of the Mirabella Cup.
Game 4: Southern Stars (State 1) 0-2 Oakleigh Cannons (VPL) at George Andrews Reserve
The Southern Stars have embodied a luminous season in State League One and are a realistic chance of winning promotion to the VPL. Their form has been memorising on occasions, despatching opponents on a regular basis.
Their round five triumph over Bentleigh Greens in the Mirabella Cup would prove to be one of the season’s highlights. On this day the Starts overcame the VPL outfit with a resounding 4-0 scoreline.
Oakleigh Cannons are progressing along nicely in the lead up to the VPL play-offs. Sitting in second position, the ever reliable Cannons grasp high hopes in both the league and cup respectively. An impressive run of form will provide the Cannons faithful with much to look forward to in the run-home.
Moving on towards the game, there was an array of chances in the opening period. The Cannons had the majority of opportunities; however composure from the Southern Stars backline, along with an ounce of fortune saw the scores remain level at the halftime break.
The conditions did not help the affair, with breezy, damp circumstances the scene for the cup clash.
The teams entered halftime with the scoreline reading a 0-0 stalemate.
It didn’t take long for Oakleigh to opening the scoring. A piercing James Robinson through-ball through the centre found Dimitiri Hatzimouratis, with only the keeper to beat, he comfortably placed the ball into the bottom left corner.
Following the goal, the Stars pressed robustly for an equaliser on numerous occasions. The Oakleigh defence stayed composed along with Cannons’ keeper Peter Zois, who was brilliant between the posts in keeper his side at bay.
The tie was ostensibly put to bed in the 72nd minute, when Frankie Lagana. Robinson found the unmarked man through a tremendous pin-point cross, who tranquilly shot towards the left hand corner of the net, leaving the Stars’ keeper with little hope.
Despite the scoreline, the Stars never gave up and continued to prosper, desperately attempting to recover lost momentum pouring numbers forward in search of a goal. However it wasn’t to avail as the Cannons recorded a comprehensive 2-0 victory.
Courtesy of Goal Weekly
Follow Robbie on Twitter, http://twitter.com/#!/robertdifabio
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