By John Kyrou
South Melbourne FC travels to Jack Thomas Reserve to play Berwick City in the Fifth Round of the Dockerty Cup on Wednesday night. The winners will progress through to the Sixth Round of the competition that will be played either on Tuesday 27 May or Wednesday 28 May.
South goes into the match in excellent form, having won its opening seven matches of the National Premier League season and having defeated Sunshine George Cross in the Fourth Round of the Dockerty Cup at Chaplin Reserve back on Saturday 22 March. Berwick City head into Wednesday’s match having had an inconsistent start to its State League 2 South-East campaign (two wins, one draw, two losses), however they won their last two League matches (against Seaford United on Saturday 26 April and against Mooroolbark on Saturday 3 May) to head into Wednesday’s match against South on a winning run. Berwick has reached the Fifth Round of the Dockerty Cup thanks to a 5-0 win against Old Trinity Grammarians in the Second Round (Saturday 8 March), a 2-1 win against Surf Coast FC in the Third Round (Sunday 16 March) and a 3-2 win against Western Suburbs in the Fourth Round (Saturday 22 March).
South Coach Chris Taylor noted that he would make up to six changes to his side that defeated Ballarat Red Devils 2-1 at Morshead Park Stadium last Saturday afternoon. This may give the likes of Andrew Mullett, Dimi Tsiaras, Kobbie Boahene, Slaven Vranesevic, Andy Kecojevic, Leigh Minopoulos and Chris Maynard the opportunity to start against Berwick and show Taylor their worth. Minopoulos will surely get the chance to start, having started against George Cross in the Cup earlier this season and having been used very effectively off the substitutes’ bench in the opening seven League matches.
Wednesday night’s match kicks off at 7:30PM and Jack Thomas Reserve.
