Bentleigh Greens has qualified for the FFA Cup quarter final stage for the third time in five seasons by outclassing Northern NSW side Broadmeadows Magic 4-0 in Newcastle on Tuesday evening.
In contrasting style to their narrow win with 10 men against Wellington Phoenix in the previous round, the Greens were able to impose their possession-based style early in the game with Magic content to sit in and try and strike on the counter with limited opportunities. When a couple of chances did come their way, they were unable to beat Greens keeper Ryan Scott and the first half ended scoreless at Magic Park.
The second half belonged to pacey Greens forward Chris Lucas whose second half hat trick launched the visitors to a resounding victory.
Soon after the break, the Magic were unable to defend a Tyson Holmes free kick, which found the head of Greens skipper Jack Webster, whose header found Lucas who cleverly lost his marker to squeeze home a shot from a narrow angle. The goal forced Magic to change its game plan and they were exposed again soon after, when Lucas received a Marco Jankovic cut back on the edge of the six yard box, then spun around to poke the ball into the net for his second.
Trailing by two goals, the home team was forced to take risks and it almost paid off in the 61st minute when Kale Bradberry pulled his shot wide with just Greens keeper Scott to beat. But this was the Greens’ night and 10 minutes later Lucas completed his hat trick from the penalty spot, after the Magic conceded a soft penalty. Shortly after, the man who was red carded early in the Greens’ last cup tie, James Kelly came on off the subs bench replacing man of the match Lucas. Kelly made some amends for his previous cup tie by setting up the Greens’ fourth goal, picking out a Holmes run into the box with an incisive pass into the box which Holmes fired home.
Another Victorian NPL team joining the Greens in progressing through to the FFA Cup quarter finals is Avondale, which put Tasmanian team Devonport Strikers to the sword 4-1 on Tuesday.
Last year’s A-League grand finalists had mixed fortunes on Tuesday night with Sydney FC progressing with a hard fought 2-1 win over Cairns FC. The champions, Melbourne Victory suffered a shock 3-2 exit away to NSW NPL side Apia Leichhardt despite former Heidelberg United striker Kenny Athiu netting twice for Victory.
Athiu’s former club and recently crowned NPL Premiers, Heidelberg United will be hoping to become the third Victorian NPL after the Greens and Avondale, to qualify for the quarter finals when they visit SA NPL club Adelaide Comets this Wednesday evening.