By John Kyrou
South Melbourne FC travels to George Andrews Reserve tonight to play the Dandenong Thunder in the Sixth Round of the Dockerty Cup. The winning team will go on to play in the Quarter Finals in early June, whilst the losing team will be eliminated from the competition this year. In the Fifth Round of the Dockerty Cup played on Wednesday 7 May, both sides enjoyed victories against State League Two opposition. South travelled to Berwick City and comfortably won 1-4, whilst the Dandenong Thunder enjoyed a 3-1 home win against Doveton.
South head into the game confident, having won every match in the League and Cup this season. In their way will be a tough Dandenong Thunder side keen on being the first team to defeat South this season. The match has added spice considering the amount of players that could be facing their former sides. Current Dandenong players Alan Kearney, Anthony Giannopoulos, Marcus Schroen, Rama Tavsancioglu and Zaim Zeneli all used to play for South, whilst Tim Mala, Andrew Mullett, Nick Epifano, Mathew Theodore, Iqi Jawadi, Jamie Reed and coach Chris Taylor all represented Dandenong previously.
Tonight’s match is the first time that South has played at George Andrews Reserve since Taylor and all his former Thunder players departed for Lakeside Stadium during or after the 2013 mid-season transfer window. Historically South enjoys a solid record at the venue, with two wins and two draws from five League fixtures. South’s only loss at the ground was last year when it suffered a 3-0 defeat, ironically against Taylor’s Dandenong side on Saturday 27 April 2013.
Tonight’s match kicks off at 7:30PM at George Andrews Reserve. If the match is drawn, there will be extra time and then penalties if need be. Those unable to make the game can follow it with live updates on the South Melbourne FC Facebook page and on the Club’s official Twitter @smfc with the hashtag #DockertyCup