Reigning FFA Cup champions Melbourne Victory have taken another step closer to defending their crown, downing NPL Victoria side Hume City 1-0 at ABD Stadium on Wednesday night.
Besart Berisha got things rolling for the away side from the penalty spot 26 minutes in after Fahid Ben Khalfallah was brought down. The Albanian slotted with ease, knocking the stuffing out of the home crowd.
Despite a late Kym Harris effort thundering into the side netting, that goal proved to be enough, sending Victory home winners in front of 2,866 fans.
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No fuss, but plenty of room for improvement
Kevin Muscat’s side did enough to come away from Broadmeadows with the chocolates and looked comfortable throughout the 90 minutes, bossing the play for the most. The Hume attack peppered but rarely tested Lawrence Thomas and the defensive duo consisting of Alan Baro and Nick Ansell settled quickly.
Of some concern for coach Muscat will be his side’s inability to make certain of the result despite their dominance. Like Thomas, City custodian Chris Oldfield hardly had a save to make. Victory lacked cutting edge in the final third and conceded some ground in the second half, with Hume stringing together a promising 10-minute period in the final 45.
No magic of the cup in suburban Victoria
It was the second time in four FFA Cup matches Melbourne Victory met Hume, and like the first time, the second-tier side were dogged in defeat. It was only until the final 15 minutes in last season’s semi-final Victory shattered Hume’s resolve, and again the side from northern Victoria brought the best from the three-time A-League champions.
A 1-0 win was reflective of a Victory performance that was hardly special, but does tell the story of a defensively solid outing from Hume, who too enjoyed a handful of half-chances nearing the death. Victory will leave feeling relieved they have not become a victim of the magic of the cup.
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