Bentleigh Greens have recaptured the Dockerty Cup trophy they lost to Heidelberg United last year, with a 2-0 win over the Bergers in a fiery final at Jack Edwards Reserve on Tuesday evening.
The simmering match saw flares thrown onto the pitch, both sides finish with 10 players due to red cards, and Bergers’ coach George Katsakis banished from the dugout at half-time. Fielding a near full-strength line-up, apart from midfielder Jack Petrie who was absent through overseas work commitments, the Bergers to their surprise found themselves behind to an early Greens goal when Heidelberg defender Steven Pace scored an own goal by turning in a Brody Taylor cross in the 12th minute. The Bergers responded with numerous crosses into the box from open play and corners, however were fortunate not to be two nil down as the half hour approached, when Greens’ playmaker Tyson Holmes split the Bergers’ defence with a great pass from inside his own half setting Matt Thurtell free.
Spotting Bergers’ keeper Chris Theodoridis off his line, he tried to lob but the ball sailed over the bar.
The Bergers’ Sean Ellis was his team’s most potent threat before the break. In the second half, Bentleigh continued to defend solidly with central defenders Jack Webster and Marco Jankovic keeping Bergers striker Tom Cahill under wraps. Still, the Bergers pressed forward and when Ellis lunged desperately for a loose ball in the box, he collected Bentleigh keeper Ryan Scott. Jankovic retaliated and a melee ensued. Once the dust settled, both Jankovic and Ellis saw red.
The Bergers had sent on subs Cartanos and Ofli as fresh options up front, but it was the Greens’ subs Dimi Hatzimouratis and Chris Lucas who combined on the edge of the box to tee up young Greens fullback James Xydias for a late sealer for the Greens, ensuring the Dockerty Cup would return to Kingston Heath.
After the match, Bentleigh coach John Anastasiadis commented, “It was a tough game. It always is with Heidelberg. We matched them in the physical department. I thought they didn’t really create one chance in the first half. In the second they were very dangerous in their set pieces but we held on well. At the end of the day, it’s about winning Cups and we did that today. We’re pretty happy with it. There’s no doubt, there’s a couple more games to come with them (Heidelberg). So you can imagine it’s going to be one hell of a fight with them. They’re a great team and I think we’ve got a healthy rivalry at the moment, and we’re all friends about it.”
Asked if the Dockerty Cup win can help fuel further success for the Greens this season, Anastasiadis said, “Absolutely it does. It helps us for the FFA Cup and the rest of the season for the championship. It’s going to give [us] a lot of confidence going forward.”