Mirabella Cup Round 4 Update

BY ROBERT DI FABIO (Courtesy of the FFV)

A flurry of fixtures has been played this week as the fourth round of the Mirabella Cup continues. Seven of the remaining ten matches have been played this week.

VPL champions of 2008 and 2009 Altona Magic (State 1) were left to eat humble pie as they were left stunned, being overhauled 2-1 by North Sunshine Eagles (Prov 1). It was an unforgettable occasion that will forever be remembered by North Sunshine.

Meanwhile, all the VPL clubs have been left unscathed, progressing into the following round.

In the opening week’s fixture South Yarra (Prov 1) had the demanding task of taking on an in-form and destructive Port Melbourne (State 1) outfit.

With high ambitions for a successful season, Port Melbourne could be back at the pinnacle of Victorian football by next year.

The prize of meeting the prestigious South Melbourne in the next round was always a big drawing card. With a vast three divisions separating the two sides, it came as little surprise that Port Melbourne stamped their authority on the game.

Three mesmerising goals before the halftime interval compounded South Yarra’s woes as Port Melbourne went on to record a comfortable 6-0 victory.

A mouth watering clash now awaits between old foes South Melbourne and Port Melbourne.

High flying Southern Stars (State 1) had the task of travelling away to Kingston City (State 3) at The Grange Reserve.

The Stars went out early to stamp their authority on the game leading 2-0 at the halftime break. Kingston pulled back a goal mid-way through the second half.

With the scores at 2-1, Kingston applied an extensive amount of pressure on the Stars’ goal; however the Stars withstood the force and scored three consolation goals in the remaining ten minutes.

Southern Stars triumphed 5-1, however on this occasion the score line wasn’t a truthful reflection of the game’s proceedings.

Former NSL champions Melbourne Knights (VPL) had the honour of playing host in their debut cup encounter against Keilor Park (State 3) at Knights Stadium.

Keilor Park remained competitive in the first half, illustrating heart and character to only trail 1-0 at the break.

However, a vicious display by the Knights saw them shoot six goals past the Keilor Park defence, eventually coming out 6-2 winners.

The cup dream came to crashing halt for Heidelberg Stars (Prov 3) who hosted former NSL representatives Preston Lions (State 1) at DISC.

The five division gap failed to deter Heidelberg, who went into the break 1-1. Not many within the football fraternity would have expected Heidelberg Stars to be competitive; however their cup adventure always seems to surprise.

Preston Lions ultimately lived up to their prominence, scoring on six occasions in the second half to seal the tie with a 7-1 victory.

Northcote City (VPL) played Box Hill United (State 2) in their debut Mirabella Cup fixture at Wembley Park. The encounter lived up to the hype with a highly competitive display from both clubs. The two divisions in separation seemed non-existent as the score read 0-0 at the halftime break. The scoreless encounter was an accurate reflection of the robust meeting between the two fledging outfits. Northcote City was somewhat wasteful in front of goal in the second period; however their superiority was illustrated recording a 2-1 victory. City will play the winner out of Doncaster Rovers (State 2) and Bullen Lions (State 1).

One of the more anticipated fixtures of the round took place at Olympic Village when Banyule City (State 2), an outfit struggling for fluency and consistency in their respective league ventured to the turf of prosperous Heidelberg United (VPL).

Banyule City stepped it up a gear scoring an early goal, before a late first half goal by Heidelberg sent the teams level at 1-1 during the break.

Heidelberg seized the advantage in the opening minutes of the second half by hitting the back of the net, although Banyule were quick to equalise courtesy of a penalty.

Banyule were courageous and diligent in their effort for a winner; however Heidelberg’s class pulled through with two goals in the remaining 25 minutes.

The final score read 4-2 in favour of Heidelberg United, although Banyule’s performance may keep them in good stead for a return to winning form in the league.

The final game of this week’s Mirabella Cup fixtures saw Falcons 2000 (Regional) have the privilege of playing host to the resilient Springvale White Eagles (VPL).

With an enormous gap in status and proficiency the result was never really in doubt. Springvale illustrated their dominance with a vigorous display, claiming an 8-0 victory.

The fourth round of the Mirabella Cup will conclude this week with the remaining three fixtures taking place.

The two Tuesday night matches will see Doncaster Rovers (State 2) host FC Bullen Lions (State 1) and Fortuna 60 (Regional) travel away to play Malvern City (State 2).

Meanwhile, the final game of the round will take place on Sunday between Cobram Victory (Regional) and Whittlesea Zebras (State 1).

The fourth round is gradually drawing to a close. The excitement, drama and tension witnessed are an illustration of the beauty and allure of cup football.

Mirabella Cup Round 4 Results:
Pascoe Vale (S1) 3-0 Mooroolbark (P1)
Geelong (S2) 0-1 St Albans Saints (VPL)
Moreland City (S2) 3-2 Fawkner Blues (S1)
Green Gully Cavaliers (VPL) 18-0 Mildura United (R)
FC Clifton Hill (S2) 5-2 Twin City Wanderers (R)
Hume City (VPL) 2-1 Hume United (S3)
Langwarrin (S1) 0-1 Dandenong City (S2)
Bayside Argonauts (P2) 0-4 Bentleigh Greens (VPL)
Ballarat Red Devils (S2) 0-0 (1-0 ET) North Geelong (S1)
Strathdale (R) 0-11 Sunshine George Cross (S1)
South Melbourne (VPL) 14-0 Yarraville Glory (S3)
Altona Magic (S1) 1-2 North Sunshine Eagles (P1)
Dandenong Thunder (VPL) 2-0 South Springvale (S2)
Waverley Wanderers (S3) 2-5 Oakleigh Cannons (VPL)
Kingston City (S3) 1-5 Southern Stars (S1)
South Yarra (P1) 0-6 Port Melbourne (S1)
Melbourne Knights (VPL) 6-2 Keilor Park (S3)
Heidelberg Stars (P3) 1-7 Preston Lions (S1)
Northcote City (VPL) 2-1 Box Hill United (S2)
Heidelberg United (VPL) 4-2 Banyule City (S2)
Falcons 2000 (R) 0-8 Springvale White Eagles (VPL)

Mirabella Cup Round 4 Draw:
Tue 10 May 7:30pm Doncaster Rovers (S2) v FC Bulleen Lions (S1) – Anderson Park
Tue 10 May 8:30pm Malvern City (S2) v Fortuna 60 (R) – Jack Edwards Reserve
Sun 15 May 3:00pm Cobram Victory (R) v Whittlesea Zebras (S1) – Barooga Recreation Rese

Football Federation Victoria News

Mirabella Cup: Upset of the cup as Cobram slay Whittlesea Zebras

Cobram celebrate Sunday's giant killing. Photo courtesy of Allison Grinter

Cobram Victory produced the upset of the tournament yesterday afternoon when they knocked State League 1 heavyweights Whittlesea Zebras out of the Mirabella Cup in an emphatic encounter.

After the 3-2 result, Victory are one step closer to claiming the biggest football knockout cup in Australia, one step closer that many people expected them to get it has to be said.

After establishing a two goal lead, Cobram fought to hold back the tide as Whittlesea galloped back into the game, tying the match at 2-2.

Cobram dug incredibly deep, and managed to score a late winner courtesy of Matt Gray to send the home crowd into raptures.

Cobram Victory coach, Craig Carley was ecstatic with his team's performance.

"It was just amazing, I'm so proud of all the boys," he said.

While he maintains his side are still underdogs in the competition, there is more to his squad than meets the eye.

"We have a great squad. There are some great young home-grown players coming through, as well as some guys who could easily be playing at a much higher level," he said.

"But we're taking every game as it comes. We'll work hard on our tactics and hopefully we can outthink our opponents.

FFV Goulburn North East zone development officer Atila Kerestes was at said that when it comes to drama, nothing compares to cup football.

"The concept of the Mirabella Cup is great for football," he said.

"It was fantastic to see an underdog country team get over the top of a division 1 metro team."