A win away from home in a traditional derby, a penalty shootout and a classic cupset that few would have scripted bookmarked a sensational night of action in the seventh round of the Dockerty Cup.
At stake, qualification to the national knock-out stages of the Hahn Australia Cup, and a chance to pit Victoria’s finest against all comers from across the country and the best the A-League Men’s competition has to offer.
Mahoneys Reserve was the scene of a David v Goliath affair, with Nunawading City hosting Hume City in a match where the Westmeadows outfit were expected to qualify for their seventh Australia Cup. The hosts threw those plans into disarray when Carlos Abboud and Stuart Edgar had them two goals to the good barely half-an-hour into the contest, a lead which they doubled in the second half thanks to a second from Edgar and Christian Cavallo, who provided a footnote to an emphatic win.
For Nunawading, it is their first foray onto the national stage since their formation in 1971 and the culmination of a fantastic cup run which has yielded 21 goals in five matches and wins against more fancied opponents in North Sunshine Eagles and Hume City.
No stranger to the national stage is Heidelberg United, who accounted for a determined Northcote City at John Cain Memorial Park with a goal in each half to advance and continue an impressive run of form in all competitions.
Fresh from notching his 100th NPL appearance off the bench against Melbourne Victory, Anthony Theodoropoulos scored his first goal of the season after two months out with injury just before the half. Sebit James Ngor doubled their advantage from the penalty spot, sending the Northcote keeper the wrong way after Fletcher Fulton was brought down in the area by Dean Larsen.
The final encounter of the evening would ultimately go the distance, despite the hosts looking the goods after an expertly timed through ball from Kenny Athiu setup Jamie Latham, who cooly slotted his strike past Javi Lopez in the 32nd minute. Any thoughts of South lying down on a cold night at Frank Holohan were put to bed just ten minutes into the second half thanks to a pinpoint header from Andy Brennan, beautifully setup by a wonderful cross from Andre Skapoulas on the left wing.
With the scores level at full-time, Dandenong did everything in the power to score in extra time, but eight further shots on goal yielded little reward, and it would take a penalty shootout to determine which team would advance.
Dandenong were unable to repeat their heroics in the previous round against Brunswick City, with Yagoub Mustafa (saved), Valli Cesnik (missed) and Nathan Hancock (saved) all failing to convert their spot kicks as South advanced to the Australia Cup for the fifth time in the competition’s history.
All eyes will now turn to Paisley Park next Tuesday, as Avondale hit the road to host Dandenong Thunder in a match which promises to deliver a thrilling contest if their league and cup form is anything to go by.
Dockerty Cup Results – Round 7
Nunawading City 4 (Carlos Abboud 25, Stuart Edgar 33, 71, Christian Cavallo 81) Hume City 0
Northcote City 0 Heidelberg United 2 (Anthony Theodoropoulos 45, Sebit James Ngor 63pk)
Dandenong City 1 (Jamie Latham 32) South Melbourne 1 (Andy Brennan 55). South won 3-1 on penalties
Dockerty Cup Remaining Fixture
Tuesday 17 June, 7:30pm: Avondale vs Dandenong Thunder @ Paisley Park