The big guns rolled onwards but the little guns were silenced by stronger opponents in midweek FFA Cup round five action. Leaders in their respective NPL leagues, South Melbourne and Kingston FC both won through to the next round over State League opponents whilst State League 1 clubs, South Springvale, Yarraville FC and FC Clifton Hill each bowed out of the competition after losses to NPL clubs.
South Springvale’s 5-1 loss to NPL 1 club Avondale FC on Tuesday night ensured there would be no magical cup run for the fans of the Warner Reserve club this season. Souths almost made it to half time without conceding but poor marking in the box allowed Avondale’s Milojevic to head home a free kick just before the break. A second-half hat-trick to Avondale’s Khraphko within seven minutes ended South’s dream of another extended cup run.
Both Yarraville and Clifton Hill started well against their NPL opponents. Yarraville managed to hold St Albans Saints at bay for most of the game and even went ahead in the 65th minute despite earlier going a man down. However, two goals in two minutes by Baressi turned the game completely in the Saints’ favour before Monek sealed the 3-1 results for St Albans in the 83rd minute.
Clifton Hill, in contrast, took the game to its NPL2 W opponent North Geelong Warriors by twice taking the lead in the opening 20 minutes. However, the Warriors were able to equalise both times before taking the lead in the 33rd minute in an exciting, fast-paced opening half. An early second-half goal gave North Geelong a two-goal cushion before Kene Eze completed his hat-trick in injury time, to give the Warriors a 5-2 win.
NPL 2 E League leader Kingston City scored the biggest winning margin of the round when it defeated State League 4 club Endeavour Hills Fire SC 8-nil at home on Wednesday night. City’s Zdenek Koukal helped himself to a hat-trick, while Damian Iaconis, Kostas Droutsas, Rowan McNammee, Muad Zwed and Simo Jovanovic also found the net. The visitors didn’t make things any easier for themselves after going down to nine men at the break with two red cards.
NPL 1 league leader South Melbourne overcame some stubborn resistance from State 1 team Altona Magic at Paisley Park. Souths had to wait until a 65th minute Marcus Schroen penalty to score its first, followed by a brace from Milos Lujic in the final quarter of an hour, to win the match 3-nil.
This coming Tuesday, FFA Cup round five continues when Oakleigh Cannons hosts Melbourne Knights in what will be their second meeting in five days, following on from the Friday night league encounter.
On Wednesday, Port Melbourne Sharks hosts Sunshine George Cross, Heidelberg United hosts Caulfield United Cobras for the second year running, and Malvern City visits Knox City, ensuring at least another State League team progresses into round six.
Bentleigh Greens plays its FFA Cup fifth-round match away to Goulburn Valley Suns on Wednesday 4 May.
In NSW, Sydney Olympic won through to the next round of the Cup with a 3-nil round five win over NPL 2 club North Shore Mariners. Olympic striker Michael Gaitatzis scored twice and Harris Gaitatzis also found the net to secure the cup win over the Mariners.