South Melbourne will be out to exact some revenge when it takes on Melbourne Knights in a huge FFA Cup clash tonight at Lakeside Stadium.
South are two wins away from qualifying for the FFA Cup finals, however it was the Knights that knocked the club out of the running for the Cup finals at the final stage of qualifying last season.
That match, also at the Lakeside, was possibly the upset of the season in Victorian football in 2014, given South’s dominance of the league up until that point.
This time around it has been a similar story, with South sitting second on the table on goal difference, while Knights have also been impressive and sit in fourth position. However, ladder positions are often irrelevant when these two sides meet.
The two sides have met twice already this season, producing two very similar tales on each occasion. A come from behind 2-1 victory at Somers street, in torrential rain, in the FFV Community Shield served as the perfect start to South’s 2015 campaign.
Then, in March, Andy Brennan netted the winner in a dominant display as South again overcame an early deficit to triumph 2-1 in the league.
Tonight’s match will be Brennan’s last in a South shirt this season, with the rangy winger on his way to A-League side Newcastle Jets. Brennan will no doubt be keen to end his time at South on a high, and given he has scored on both occasions against South’s old rivals this season, it is a brave person that would back the Tasmanian scoring again tonight.
South regain Golden Boot winner Milos Lujic for the match, after he missed a match for picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against Oakleigh a fortnight ago.
Who Chris Taylor will drop for the razor sharp marksman is the subject of much debate. Leigh Minopoulos filled in as striker in the 7-1 victory over North Geelong Warriors last Friday, scoring a double in the process.
Andy Kecojevic, Chris Irwin, Iqi Jawadi and Brennan himself also scored in that match, making selection for this game very difficult.
One man who won’t be under consideration is Captain Michael Eagar, who will miss again through suspension following his red card against Oakleigh.
South have defeated Whittlesea Ranges and North Sunshine FC to get to this round of the Cup, scoring a total of 13 goals in those two matches. Knights progressed on the back of victories against Melton Phoenix and Sunbury United.
A large crowd is expected for what is always a passionate affair.
The clash between South Melbourne and Melbourne Knights kicks off at 7.30pm at Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park. Those unable to make the match can follow proceedings on the club’s Facebook and Twitter accounts, using the handles #SMFC and #FFACup.