By John Kyrou
South Melbourne FC hosts the Melbourne Knights in a massive Dockerty Cup Quarter Final clash tonight. The reward for the winning side is a spot in the Dockerty Cup Semi Finals (to face either Bentleigh Greens, St Albans or South Springvale) as well as the 32nd and final spot in the inaugural FFA Cup to be played later this year.
South go into the match in winning form, having won their National Premier League Victoria derby against Heidelberg United 3-0 at Lakeside Stadium last Sunday evening. An own goal from Steven Pace, a strike from outside the area by Mathew Theodore and a back-post header from Milos Lujic – all in the first half hour – sealed the three points as South maintained its four point lead at the top of the League table. The Melbourne Knights go into the game having battled out a 1-1 draw against Northcote City at John Cain Reserve last Sunday afternoon.
South coach Chris Taylor almost has a full squad to choose from, with the only exception being transfer-window signing Stephen Hatzikostas who is Cup-tied having represented Bentleigh in the Cup earlier in the season. The Knights welcome two new signings in striker Stipo Andrijasevic and winger Jordan O’Doherty, with both players not Cup-tied and able to represent the Knights tonight should coach Andrew Marth select them. The key player to watch out for is Shayan Alinejad, who had an excellent match when the two sides last played against each other.
The previous meeting between the two sides was on Sunday 27 April this year, when Lujic’s late strike gave South a 0-1 derby win at Knights Stadium.
Tonight’s match kicks off at 7:30PM at Lakeside Stadium. Half an hour of extra time will be played if the match is drawn after normal time and if scores are still level then a penalty shootout will determine the winning team. 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 hashtags #DockertyCup and #SMvMK.
South Melbourne Dockerty Cup Results 2014:
Round 4: 1-0 v Sunshine George Cross (Chaplin Reserve, Saturday 22 March)
Round 5: 4-1 v Berwick City (Jack Thomas Reserve, Wednesday 7 May)
Round 6: 1-0 v Dandenong Thunder AET (George Andrew Reserve, Wednesday 28 May)
Melbourne Knights Dockerty Cup Results 2014:
Round 4: 4-0 v Whittlesea Rangers (Knights Stadium, Saturday 22 March)
Round 5: 2-1 v Mornington AET (Knights Stadium, Tuesday 13 May)
Round 6: 4-1 v Green Gully (Knights Stadium, Tuesday 3 June)