By JARROD POTTER
FFA CUP – PRELIMINARY ROUNDSVICTORIAN QUALIFIERS – ROUND 7
ZEUS’ lightning it seems doesn’t strike twice as South Springvale Aris fell at the final hurdle in pursuit of its second FFA Cup appearance.
In the battle of two Victorian Greek clubs, it seems the gods favoured Oakleigh Cannons just that little bit more.
After dictating the tempo of the first half, Aris was taken by surprise as Dean Piemonte rattled off the first goal of the match.
He found too much room between South Springvale defenders and rocketed a shot into Aris’ goalkeeper George Malliaras.
Aris peppered the Cannons’ goals – with Konstantinos Stratomitros connecting with the two best chances as well as Konstantinos Daskalakis making dangerous moves – but the South Springvale account would remain empty at the half.
After the resumption Treymayne Sadler headed home a corner to push South Springvale even further behind with the minutes ticking down.
A last-ditch penalty in the 87th minute – ably thumped home by Daskalakis after Mirjan Pavlovic was sent from the ground – set the scene for a frenetic final five minutes, but in the end the Cannons were able to withstand the South Springvale barrage to advance to the final four in the Dockerty Cup and more importantly, book their place in the FFA Cup Round of 32.
The Aris’ winter effort will have to be focused solely on its FFV State League 1 South East campaign where South Springvale is currently third with a 7-1-3 record.
The other remaining State League side – Frankston Pines -was eliminated 1-6 by former NSL side South Melbourne.
In remaining FFV Cup fixtures, Heidelberg United face Goulburn Valley Suns on Tuesday while Hume City – helmed by former Dandenong Thunder skipper Shane Rexhepi – will take on Kingston City on Wednesday.
