Hume City has begun its Dockerty Cup campaign on a high after defeating Eltham Redbacks 3-1 at a hostile Eltham North Reserve on Thursday night.
While the scoreline looked a comfortable victory for Hume City FC, they were given a serious challenge from the Victorian Premier League 2 leaders throughout the match as goals to Birkan Kirdar, Rob Harker and Josh Okane overcame an early deficit to help the team progress through to the next stage.
With Eltham 23 places lower on the Football Federation Victoria pyramid, the home side got off to a dream start as they scored from a set piece within the first few minutes to take the lead against Hume City.
Aggressive pressure and support from a strong home crowd helped Eltham disrupt Hume City’s rhythm in the opening period the game, however, the visitors began to find their feet through the likes of Mehmet Uysal, Kirdar and Okane.
Despite Hume City starting to control possession more and producing a number of attacking plays, Eltham stood strong against the National Premier League side for the first 20 minutes before the game was turned on its head when Uysal got on the end of a beautifully placed long ball, only to be brought down just outside the box.
The foul saw Eltham defender Jack Butts given his marching orders, taking the home side down to 10 men.
Hume City took then control of the game, but were made to wait until the 30-minute mark to finally get the equaliser as a shot from Uysal was was stopped by the hand of an Eltham defender, resulting in a penalty.
Kirdar stepped up to the spot and coolly placed it in the bottom right corner as Eltham goalkeeper, Abdulkerim Koc dived the other way.
Uysal continued to terrorise the home side’s defence every time Hume City pressed forward, and the left winger was again in the action for the second goal, whipping in an inch-perfect cross to the back post where Harker comfortably headed the ball into the back of the net to make it two goals in as many games for the striker.
Carrying the momentum of the lead and the player advantage, Hume City had plenty of confidence for the rest of the half, playing impressive football as Oliver Kelaart and Mark Ochieng created some small chances before Koc was called into action again just before the half-time whistle, saving two shots from Hume City.
Hume City’s dominance continued on the other side of halftime with two early chances, while Joseph Forde and Joel Russell combined multiple times to wreak havoc on the right side.
Although a goal for Hume City side looked imminent, a counter attack from Eltham just before the hour mark saw them rewarded with the game’s second penalty after being fouled in the box.
With the opportunity to level the game, Eltham’s Billy Romas had the responsibility of the penalty, but his attempt towards the bottom left corner was thwarted away with a crucial save from Hume City goalkeeper Michael Weier.
Following the heroic save from Weier, Hume City took control once again with more attempts on goal, before Okane eventually put the game beyond doubt in the 66th minute after getting on the end of a Uysal cutback to produce a curling effort from the outside the box.
Hume City came close to grabbing a fourth just over 10 minutes from time when Russell found himself getting on the end of a low hard cross in the box, only for Doc to make an incredible save.
Eltham didn’t relent in the final stages of the game as they attempted to fight their way back into the game, however some comfortable saves from Weier kept Hume City in control until the final whistle.
In taking the victory, Hume City now progress through to the fourth round of the Dockerty Cup and will face VPL1 side FC Melbourne SRBIJA on Thursday 8 May, while its next NPL fixture will be against Melbourne Knights on Anzac Day.
While the scoreline looked a comfortable victory for Hume City FC, they were given a serious challenge from the Victorian Premier League 2 leaders throughout the match as goals to Birkan Kirdar, Rob Harker and Josh Okane overcame an early deficit to help the team progress through to the next stage.
With Eltham 23 places lower on the Football Federation Victoria pyramid, the home side got off to a dream start as they scored from a set piece within the first few minutes to take the lead against Hume City.
Aggressive pressure and support from a strong home crowd helped Eltham disrupt Hume City’s rhythm in the opening period the game, however, the visitors began to find their feet through the likes of Mehmet Uysal, Kirdar and Okane.
Despite Hume City starting to control possession more and producing a number of attacking plays, Eltham stood strong against the National Premier League side for the first 20 minutes before the game was turned on its head when Uysal got on the end of a beautifully placed long ball, only to be brought down just outside the box.
The foul saw Eltham defender Jack Butts given his marching orders, taking the home side down to 10 men.
Hume City took then control of the game, but were made to wait until the 30-minute mark to finally get the equaliser as a shot from Uysal was was stopped by the hand of an Eltham defender, resulting in a penalty.
Kirdar stepped up to the spot and coolly placed it in the bottom right corner as Eltham goalkeeper, Abdulkerim Koc dived the other way.
Uysal continued to terrorise the home side’s defence every time Hume City pressed forward, and the left winger was again in the action for the second goal, whipping in an inch-perfect cross to the back post where Harker comfortably headed the ball into the back of the net to make it two goals in as many games for the striker.
Carrying the momentum of the lead and the player advantage, Hume City had plenty of confidence for the rest of the half, playing impressive football as Oliver Kelaart and Mark Ochieng created some small chances before Koc was called into action again just before the half-time whistle, saving two shots from Hume City.
Hume City’s dominance continued on the other side of halftime with two early chances, while Joseph Forde and Joel Russell combined multiple times to wreak havoc on the right side.
Although a goal for Hume City side looked imminent, a counter attack from Eltham just before the hour mark saw them rewarded with the game’s second penalty after being fouled in the box.
With the opportunity to level the game, Eltham’s Billy Romas had the responsibility of the penalty, but his attempt towards the bottom left corner was thwarted away with a crucial save from Hume City goalkeeper Michael Weier.
Following the heroic save from Weier, Hume City took control once again with more attempts on goal, before Okane eventually put the game beyond doubt in the 66th minute after getting on the end of a Uysal cutback to produce a curling effort from the outside the box.
Hume City came close to grabbing a fourth just over 10 minutes from time when Russell found himself getting on the end of a low hard cross in the box, only for Doc to make an incredible save.
Eltham didn’t relent in the final stages of the game as they attempted to fight their way back into the game, however some comfortable saves from Weier kept Hume City in control until the final whistle.
In taking the victory, Hume City now progress through to the fourth round of the Dockerty Cup and will face VPL1 side FC Melbourne SRBIJA on Thursday 8 May, while its next NPL fixture will be against Melbourne Knights on Anzac Day.
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