It used to be the Bentleigh Greens and South Melbourne rivalry that dominated the NPL, but now the Bentleigh Greens-Heidelberg United rivalry has come to the fore. Not only did the two clubs contest last season’s NPL Grand Final, but for the second year in a row the two will meet in the final of the Dockerty Cup after they each won their semifinals midweek.

The Greens were dominant in their 5-1 semifinal win over the Port Melbourne Sharks at the Grange last Tuesday, while the Bergers laboured to a 2-0 victory over northern suburbs neighbour Northcote City at the ABD Stadium on Wednesday night, relying on two late penalties to progress to the final.

In the Greens-Sharks semi, Bentleigh opened the scoring in the 28th minute through Velibor Mitrovic who played a neat one-two with striker Matt Thurtell to open up the Sharks defense. Mitrovic’s first-time shot gave Sharks’ keeper Matthew Symes little chance to save.

Thurtell then doubled the lead eight minutes later with a spot kick after winning a penalty from a Kris Kioussis challenge. Soon after the break, a deflected Tyson Holmes strike made it 3-0, followed by a brace from new player Brody Taylor. In between Taylor’s goals, Sharks’ striker Sam Smith scored a consolation goal.
In contrast to the Greens, Heidelberg were locked in an even battle with Northcote City for most of a game which appeared headed to extra time before Heidelberg won two late penalties.

In the 87th minute, Bergers’ sub Adrian Zahra went down just inside the box under a Charlie Beverley challenge. Sean Ellis made no mistake with the spot-kick. In injury time, with Northcote throwing numbers forward, a Bergers counterattack found striker Tom Cahill with space to run into the box with just the keeper to beat. He too went down under a desperate challenge from behind and he converted the spot kick himself to seal the win and give the Bergers a chance to win back to back Dockerty Cup trophies.

Meanwhile, all four Dockerty Cup semifinalists were involved in the national Round of 32 FFA Cup draw on Tuesday evening. Of the Victorian teams, Bentleigh Greens were handed arguably the most difficult draw in the shape of a home tie against A-League club Wellington Phoenix. The Greens are used to hosting A-League opposition in the FFA Cup: the Cheltenham-based club has played Perth Glory, Melbourne Victory, and the Western Sydney Wanderers in previous seasons of the Cup. In the Greens’s favour, will be their home ground, and the fact that Phoenix, who finished second from the bottom last season, is in the process of rebuilding under newly appointed coach Mark Rudan. The match takes place early in the A-League club’s pre-season.

Unlike the Greens who have been there and done that, another Greek-based club will meet A-League opposition in the FFA Cup for the first time. Northern Territory club Hellenic Athletic will host the Western Sydney Wanderers who also have a new coach in former Liverpool player Markus Babbel.

The other three Victorian NPL Greek-based clubs in the draw will each host interstate NPL opposition. Northcote City hosts Tasmanian club Devonport Strikers who currently sit in second spot on the ladder. Heidelberg United hosts fifth-placed NNSW club Charlestown City Blues, a Newcastle-based club with a strong Italian heritage and who currently have veteran former Socceroo Ljubo Milicevic on their playing roster. Port Melbourne Sharks host strong NSW NPL club Apia Leichardt.

Finally, second on the ladder Brisbane club Olympic FC will meet third-placed Queensland Lions FC away in a Queensland NPL derby.

FFA CUP 2018: ROUND OF 32 FIXTURES
Adelaide United v Central Coast Mariners
Perth Glory v Melbourne Victory
Brisbane Roar v Melbourne City
Northcote City FC v Devonport Strikers
Port Melbourne Sharks v APIA Leichhardt Tigers
Lions FC v Olympic FC
Heidelberg United v Charlestown City Blues
Gwelup Croatia v Adelaide Comets
Canberra FC v Broadmeadow Magic
Cairns FC v Armadale SC
Bonnyrigg White Eagles v Hakoah Sydney City East
Avondale FC v Marconi Stallions
Hellenic Athletic v Western Sydney Wanderers
Gold Coast Knights v Newcastle Jets
Bentleigh Greens v Wellington Phoenix
Rockdale City Suns v Sydney FC