The recently completed FFA Cup fourth round produced its fair share of upsets with four NPL 1 clubs falling to teams from lower divisions. One of the teams which caused an upset was NPL 2 club Northcote City which eliminated NPL 1 team Dandenong Thunder 3-2 away from home. Even though Thunder hadn’t been in scintillating form in the league, especially at home, it was a game the team was expected to win against a largely inexperienced Northcote City.

“We came here with an idea, a notion, a plan. We didn’t think we were ever not going to win this game,” said Northcote City coach Peter Tsolakis post-match.

“And the boys put in a 95 minute shift. That was fantastic. I’m just rapt for the boys because it reinforces what I’ve been saying to them, that they can play at this level.”

After both teams were locked 1-1 at the break, City had to absorb quite a deal of pressure in the second half after taking the lead, as Dandenong threw everything at them in a desperate bid to salvage their place in the cup.

“We’re such an inexperienced side and for the boys to absorb that and end up winning like they did, kudos to the boys because they really put in a really good shift. We’ve just shown we can put in a performance like that, so there’s no reason why we don’t do that week in and week out,” Tsolakis said.

While it’s true that a swallow does not a summer make, City fans and members will be encouraged by the team’s recent results in both league and Cup, following an inconsistent start to the season in terms of results. The Cup win against Thunder means that City has now won three matches in a row, a run which began with a league win against previously unbeaten league leaders Eastern Lions.

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City is currently sitting in fourth place on the NPL 2 E ladder, just one point behind league leader Eastern Lions.

Speaking to Neos Kosmos after his team’s most recent league win away to Springvale White Eagles, and just prior to the Cup win, Tsolakis said that although it’s still early, he’s very pleased with the team’s progress.

“Very pleased. I mean it’s a completely new team. I think there’s only two players from last year. It’s not easy to put a squad together, a team together. To be where we are at the moment, we’re there abouts … and we’ve dropped some silly games against Manningham where we dropped a stupid game. Against Bulleen I think we were worthy of getting something out of that game. So at the minute we’re very pleased sitting where we are.”

City’s next league match this weekend is a cross conference fixture at home against NPL 2 West outfit Whittlesea Ranges which has recently appointed a new coach George Karkaletsis. Although Whittlesea is struggling at the moment, Tsolakis expects them to come to John Cain Reserve, well organised and tough to break down, Northcote will be determined to secure another win and continue to build momentum.

More than most other clubs, Northcote knows only too well that the euphoria of winning promotion from NPL 2 can quickly be replaced by the grim reality of trying to survive in the highest league. When asked about the possibility of promotion this year, Tsolakis conveys the challenge facing many smaller clubs trying to negotiate the big transition from NPL 2 to NPL 1.

“We said as a club, we’re not looking at getting promoted. If it comes our way, we’ll take it. We’re just looking for a bit of stability. The club’s turned over more than 80 players in four years. You can’t go up, come down, go up, come down, and expect to have good football. So we just want that little bit of stability,” he said.

“So I’m not saying we don’t want to go up, but maybe it’s best for the club that we build a good foundation and then take the next step.”

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