By JARROD POTTER
FFA CUP – VICTORIAN PRELIMINARIES
ROUND 6
ROLLING into the final eight for the second year in a row, South Springvale showed its calibre to knock over NPL side North Geelong Warriors 2-1.
While the sunlight faded over Jack Warner Reserve on Sunday evening, Aris’ fleet-footed stars shone brightly as goals to Dionysios Liosatos and defender Tommy Brooks sealed the deal.
After a back-and-forth start to the clash – with neither side particularly capitalising on any forward attack – the ball came out to Aris’ recruit Liosatos.
CLICK HERE for a gallery of pictures from the South Springvale vs North Geelong clash.
Played in from outside the box, Liosatos expertly chipped it over the keeper and began the celebrations as South Springvale pulled ahead in the 22nd minute.
Future chances would go untaken for South Springvale throughout the next 40 minutes of match-play as Aris struggled to seize another goal.
It took the efforts of Brooks to break the stranglehold thwarting Aris.
Forming the fortress-like back tandem with captain Ari Drakos, Brooks showed he belonged in the yellow-and-black stripes after a strange season so far for the central defender.
Brooks’ off-season journey is one for the record books as he played against South Springvale in a league match for Casey Comets.
But as they say, if you can’t beat them, join them … again.
He was welcomed back by coach Bill Lambropoulos and the defender relished his time on the big stage Sunday as he was impeccable defensively.
Clearing countless Warriors’ long passes, Brooks held down the back end before sneaking forward and capping off his return with a bang.
Brooks smashed in a free-header off a well-weighted corner in the 60th minute and the home-crowd went ballistic.
“Tommy didn’t feature in the big arena with us last year as Nassim Courrail fit into that spot, but he’s been injured with a knee injury,” Lambropoulos said.
“Tommy told me he was going to go overseas this year and wasn’t going to be a permanent fixture, so I said if you’re going to travel it is best that you don’t see the year out with me.
“After our home game with Casey, he told me he wasn’t going overseas anymore and he was more than welcome to come back.
“He’s done his job tonight (Sunday) – he’s as tough as they come and what he’s got he’ll give with all his heart.”
The Warriors fought back in the dying minutes and earned an 87-minute penalty off a handball in the box. Matt Townley finished the job expertly, making the only successful shot for the night to go past Aris goalkeeper George Malliaras.
It made for an interesting last few minutes as the Warriors scrambled to find an equaliser and force over-time, but it was South Springvale’s night with the Greek mainstays claiming the one-goal triumph.
“I think they know from last year what it means to the club, to the supporters and to themselves to be on the big arena,” Lambropoulos said. “And this year we’ve included some new boys into the squad that can obviously help us with our journey.
“The onus hasn’t been on the cup – that was never put on them as pressure.”
Aris needs only one more win in the regional qualifiers to book its place in the FFA Cup – returning to the competition after a stellar 2014 run where South Springvale was eliminated at the top-16 stage.
South Melbourne, Heidelberg United, Hume City FC, Kingston City FC, Frankston Pines FC, Oakleigh Cannons and Goulburn Valley Suns have also booked their spots in the last eight.
“We’re still in it and we’re going to continue to think positive and do our best,” Lambropoulos said.
“There are some big teams left in this competition – we’ll take it game by game as it comes and do our best that’s all we can do.
“Hopefully another home game and bring in the crowd to support us.”
Match allocations for the Victorian final eight will be drawn this week.
