The FFV State Knockout Cup kicked off with a bang last Saturday with clubs including Ballarat Red Devils, Box Hill United, Mornington, and Malvern City progressing into the next round of the zone playoffs.
The competition, previously known as the Mirabella Cup, entered its second year without a major sponsor with Mr. Joe Mirabella writing to the Football Federation of Victoria (FFV) Board earlier this year, informing them of his withdrawal from the competition.
“The Board regretted that Mr Mirabella had decided to withdraw his support of the State Knockout Cup but thanked him for his contribution to football in Victoria,” a FFV spokesman said.
Perhaps the upset of the round went to Melton Phoenix who defeated State League 3 side Williamstown 5-3 at MacPherson Park. The Phoenix are heading into the 2012 season, three leagues below Williamstown in Provisional League 3 (North-West). It’s a horrid start to the New Year for Williamstown, who were relegated in 2011.
The first game of the competition was contested at Knox Regional Football Centre between Old Carey and Nunawading, with the State League 3 side, Nunawading, scrapping past their far inferior opponents 1-0. At the same neutral venue, Ashburton United defeated Whitehorse United 3-1.
Out west, Sebastopol Vikings made the 102km trek down the Midlands Highway to Lorne and went home the happier with a 2-0 win over Surf Coast FC.
Newly promoted North Sunshine Eagles humiliated neighbours Brimbank Stallions, pumping 5 goals past the Provisional League 3 outfit, away from home, whilst keeping a clean sheet. Equally convincing were Ballarat Red Devils and Box Hill United who humbled Corio and Eltham Redbacks respectively, both scoring 7 goals away from home.
The State Football Centre saw six games played, in which Middle Park defeated Elwood City 3-1, both Old Trinity Grammarians and South Yarra comfortably beat their respective opponents 3-0, Malvern City and Melbourne Tornado clashed in a goal fest with Malvern winning 5-3, Collingwood City toppled Albert Park 4-0, and Melbourne University showing the Old Melburnians how it’s done by winning 2-1.
Parkmore SC and Peninsula Strikers FC progressed by default, as their respective opponents, Springvale City and Frankston Pines, forfeited.
Strangely, Frankston Pines withdrew their entry after they told the FFV they “were not ready in terms of the number of players registered and available,” while Springvale City were illegible to compete “due to unforeseen circumstances outside FFV’s control.”
In the remaining games of the round, Mornington beat a recently relegated Skye United 4-2, Berwick defeated Sandown Lions 4-1, Westvale beat local side Cairnlea 5-2, and Middle Park beat Elwood City 3-1.
The next round of the FFV State Knockout Cup starts on Saturday, 17th March, with 30 games kicking off, including the eagerly anticipated Moreland Derby between United and City.
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