Avondale FC overcome Hume City FC to lift the 2021 Dockerty Cup.
It was fiery, tense and thrilling - everything a cup final should be. Ultimately, Stefan Valentini's 83rd minute penalty proved the difference between the sides, as the Avengers capped off a tremendous 2021 by lifting the Dockerty Cup for the first time in the Club's history.
Incredibly, it was almost four months to the day since Avondale's last competitive fixture. On that occasion, the team emphatically booked its grand final ticket with a commanding 5-1 victory over Port Melbourne Sharks in the Dockerty Cup semis.
Hume on the other hand came into the game off a short turn around. A mid-week FFA Cup clash against Melbourne City provided Nick Hegarty's side a highly competitive hit-out in the lead up to Sunday's all important cup final.
Despite the long break and a lack of competitive football in recent months, both teams arrived at C.B. Smith Reserve on Sunday prepared to leave everything out on the pitch.
It was a game of inches, but despite an admiral effort from Hume City, Avondale proved too strong and well deserving winners on the day.
On behalf the Victorian football community, Football Victoria would like to congratulation Avondale FC on lifting the prestigious Dockerty Cup and wish the Club good luck in their upcoming FFA Cup clash.