Victory’s class and efficiency shine through in FFA Cup clash
By Jason Harris
It was a clash that had been eagerly awaited in this state and it was the experience of producing in the big moments that saw Melbourne Victory run out 2-0 winners over a very competitive Bayswater City outfit, in the Round of 32 FFA Cup clash at the WA Athletics Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Melbourne started the game with a quick tempo and were dominating the possession. New marquee signing Besart Berisha was involved in everything early on and in the 10th minute he had a clear shot on goal which was set up by Archie Thompson, but pulled his shot just wide.
It seemed a matter of time before the visitors scored as they were stroking the ball around with a lot of confidence. They broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute.
A beautiful passing move was finished by Kosta Barbarouses who dispatched the ball past Devon Spence.
Berisha was causing trouble again as made a slicing run into the box, but was well shut down by the Bayswater defence.
Bayswater were struggling to keep the ball for a sustained period due to the increased pressing of the A league side which forced them into uncharacteristic errors. When they did get possession, they wasted it by aimlessly booting the ball to no-mans-land. They seemed over anxious which was a very rare thing to see from Chris Coyne’s men.
The unfortunate thing was that Bayswater just couldn’t get behind the Victory defence enough, which was marshaled superbly by Adrian Leijer and gave the formidable duo of Steve Burton and Heagney very little space to work their magic all evening.
On the odd occasion he was given space Heagney showed what he can do unleashing a stinging shot which was the first shot on goal the home team had and brought out a great save from victory goalkeeper Nathan Coe. The resulting corner saw Burton head over the crossbar.
As half time approached, you wondered how the scoreline remained at 1-0 to Victory but as long as it did there was always hope for the underdogs.
Bayswater stated the second half promisingly, and had a great chance when Brian Farrell fired just over the top on the volley, from 10 yards.
They were a lot calmer now and it showed in their play. This was the Bayswater we had come to know.
Substitute Adam Bachiller nearly scored at the near post, heading his chance over. In fact Bayswater had a succession of corners and free kicks from just outside the box. The closest they came was from a Todd Howarth free kick, which forced Coe into a fingertip save.
Just when Bayswater were slowly getting a foothold in the game, the Victory got their second thirteen minutes from time.
That man Berisha, played a very nice ball through to Thompson who steadied himself before coolly slotting the ball past Devon Spence.
It was really unfortunate timing because you sensed Bayswater were on the verge of scoring, however the Victory have been in this position before and their response was superb.
After the goal, the rest of game petered out without further incident, and the Victory was through to the Round of 16.
For Chris Coyne, this game was a delicate juggling act he had to perform before a big clash against Sorrento on Saturday, which will decide the NPL title.
While the experience of his brother Jamie was missed in a game like this, the manager said he would be fit to resume on Saturday.
Undoubtedly Bayswater will be better for the experience after a game like tonight and if they are lucky enough to get make it to this competition next season, you wouldn’t bet against them going a step or two further.
After match quotes
Melbourne Victory Manager – Kevin Muscat
“I think in the first half we controlled the game and had a number of opportunities, possibly a little disappointed we didn’t take more in the first half. The best way to describe it was we just did enough to win.”
“I thought our front third looked very dangerous and the two goals we scored were very good goals and good football which is a good sign.”
” They had a go didn’t they (Bayswater) I just said to Chris I hope they go and win the league on Saturday, wish them all the best. From their perspective once we scored the first it was a lot harder but in the 2nd half they had a real go which was good.”
Bayswater Manager – Chris Coyne
“After the first half I thought I settled down some of those boys haven’t played in that kind of occasion before and as much as you try to calm them sometimes they are a little unsettled but in the second half they were superb.”
” The message at half time was just enjoy it you are good enough they had no need to play with fear and in the second half they showed what they were made of.”
“You got to make decisions and in the end I’ve got to try and win the league as well as do well in the cups As long as they go and do the business for me on Saturday the decisions to sub them (Burton and Heagney) off was worthwhile.”
” The idea of the FFA cup is great and we’ve really enjoyed getting a taste of it this year but we will be super duper hungry going into it next year the whole buzz the whole excitement it generated was a tremendous thing to be a part of, and it was good for the community and the football club.”
Goals
Melbourne Victory
Barbarousis 23’ Thompson 77
Bookings
Bayswater City
Burton 21’
Melbourne Victory
Broxham 41
Squads
Bayswater City.
GK 1 Devon Spence 2 Declan Hargreaves 5 Andy Reale 6 Todd Howarth 8 Paul McCarthy (Catalano 80′)12 Steve Burton (Maralunda 50′) 13 Trent Kay (capt) 15 Brian Farrell 20 Sam Mitchinson 21 David Heagney (Bachiller 59′) 23 Chris Saldaris
SUBS not Used
RGK 22 Joel Driscoll
18 James Isaia
Melbourne Victory
GK 1 Nathan Coe 2 Jason Geria 6 Leigh Broxham Capt (Milligan 59′) 7 Gulliame Finkler (Pain 72′) 8 Besart Berisha 9 Kostas Barbarousas 10 Archie Thompson (Makarounas 84′) 17 Matthieu Delpierre 21 Carl Vareri 23 Adrian Leijer 24 Scott Galloway
SUBS not Used
RGK 20 Lawrence Thomas
18 Dylan Muhrane
