By JARROD POTTER
FOOTBALL FEDERATION VICTORIA – Dockerty Cup
ODDS would have been firmly against South Springvale advancing to the Dockerty Cup quarter finals.
The FFV State League One South East team had a stellar run through to the top 16 – knocking off Doncaster, Cairnlea and NPL side Pascoe Vale en route to its clash against Fawkner Blues last week.
As one of the last non-NPL soccer teams in the single-elimination competition – South Springvale was able to shake off the Blues to slot the match-winning goal via Dean Panagopoulos (1-0) to advance to the top eight.
“It was a very tough game,” South Springvale coach Bill Lambropoulos said.
“It was a game of two halves – they were the better side in the first half and we were the better side in the second half because of our fitness
“One goal put us through and we’re looking forward to the next round.”
Lambropoulos believes his side has what it takes to knock off its next opponent – NPL side Hume City – and head, not only into the Dockerty Cup final four, but also earn a spot in the Football Federation Australia (FFA) Cup.
“It’s a tough game and we’ll play it the way we’ve played the other cup games,” Lambropoulos said.
“We knocked off Pascoe Vale, last week we beat them 1-0 at Pascoe Vale and it was good to know that we can mix it with the NPL teams.”
South Springvale hopes to advance into the NPL structure in upcoming years as Lambropoulos said facilities were the main reason the club could not put forward a bid.
“Definitely – that’s been our aim,” Lambropoulos said.
“Because the facilities haven’t been finalised but it’s something that we’ll be looking at down the track.”
Lambropoulos encouraged South Springvale fans to get out and support the boys in their bid to make the inaugural FFA Cup and potentially square off against an A-League team.
The clash against Hume City will be hosted by Heidelberg on Wednesday 11 June from 7.30pm.
