South Springvale has become the first ever Victorian team to qualify for the Westfield FFA Cup, with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Hume City in the quarter finals of the Dockerty Cup at Olympic Village.
Not many gave the State League 1 South-East side any hope against its much fancied NPL opponent coming into the match, but a brace from Ali Hameed and a single strike by Damian Iaconis sent South Springvale through to the Round of 32 for the inaugural national knockout cup competition.
From the outset, South Springvale took the game to a side which currently sits seventh on the NPL ladder, enjoying periods of free-flowing football and limiting Hume to frustrated long-range attempts.
The dream began to look like a reality after only seven minutes when Hume City captain Shane Rexhepi passed the ball back to Hume keeper Evan Alexandrow-Ridley.
The latter's touch let him down and Hameed took full advantage after chasing down the keeper to tap the ball into the empty net and send the 300-plus travelling supporters into euphoria.
Click here for the full match report.
The next of the quarter finals will take place on Tuesday 17 June when Richmond (NPL 1) face Bentleigh Greens (NPL) at Kevin Bartlett Reserve (Kick-Off 7.30pm AEST).
Image courtesy of Graeme Furlong
