By JARROD POTTER
A gutsy fight-back with the last kick of the match allowed Berwick City to advance in the state-wide Football Federation Victoria Dockerty Cup.
Berwick City kept its cup hopes alive with a 3-2 win over Western Suburbs in the fourth round.
Relentless run from City’s front men caused havoc at the Western Suburbs goalmouth – with Shane Savannah, Michael Franco helping bring back the margin Western Suburbs had established late in the game.
Dean Ventieri was able to get on the end of a corner to slot the match winner in the dying seconds to push Berwick City into the final 32.
“It was a very exciting game – we came back from 1-2 down to win 3-2 and with the last kick,” Berwick City coach Carlos Retre said.
“It was a corner, the ball has come out and Dean’s hit it from outside the box into the bottom right corner and it’s gone through a lot of players and a good way to finish.”
Retre admitted the way of play was with Berwick City – but the chances didn’t fall for them while Western Suburbs had the run of the luck, including a bouncing ball that reared up over the City keeper to go ahead 1-2.
“We had the better play, but we were just unfortunate,” Retre said.
“Goal in the first half which was a penalty and the second half we could’ve gone two-nil up.
“From missing one-on-one they go to the other end – the guy has a shot from 25-30 out, hits a pothole and bounces over the keeper – he had it covered but had no chance after that.
“We equalised and Shane Savannah scored late – another good goal on the left hand side, beating the keeper and giving him no chance.”
The fifth round of the cup will be challenging for Berwick City – facing National Premier League powerhouse South Melbourne at home, with a time and date in May to be confirmed.
“South Melbourne – that’s why we play the game – we want to be playing against sides like that to improve ourselves,” Retre said.
“You never know – football is a funny game, and to be honest we’ve done very well against some very good sides and we can match it with these boys in terms of method of play.
“We’re confident and it will be a good game for the side as well as we’re playing at home – South Melbourne – a historical club in Australian football – we hopefully can get a few people down.”
In other round four Dockerty Cup results, Casey Comets bowed out 0-5 to NPL’s Hume City and Doveton SC walked over North Caulfield 3-2.
