After falling behind to Marconi in extra time, it looked like it wasn’t going to be Hume City’s year. But then again, many times in 2015 it seemed not to be their year either on their way to the FFA Cup semi-finals.
Back then, it were extra time wins against Brisbane Strikers and Oakleigh Cannons that left hearts in mouths – this time the trend continues after winning the Round of 32 encounter on penalties following a 1-1 result with both goals coming in extra time.
Despite Hume forced to make numeruous changes regarding cup-tied players, the real first opportunity fell to Kym Harris in the 18th minute when he was found in the box by Kristian Krajceski, but he scooped his shot over the bar.
The closest Marconi came in the first half was a penalty shout from former Oakleigh Cannons man Mirjan Pavlovic following a challenge in the area from Ramazan Tavsancioglu, but the referee waved the other way for a free kick.
Hume came within inches of the lead either side of the break when Theo Markelis thumped a volley into the post and Nick Hegarty also struck the woodwork.
Hegarty then missed a similar shot to Harris, looping over the bar after a darting run through on goal.
While the first 90 minutes went scoreless, the first goal came in just the third minute of extra time when Mirjan Pavlovic took control on the left side, found space against Tavsancioglu, and curled in a ball beyond Chris Oldfield’s reach.
With time running out, it was a pinpoint cross from Jeremy Walker in the 116th minute that found the head of Harris in the box for a simple finish to equalise at 1-1.
Pavlovic couldn’t repeat his heroics in the shootout, missing the first effort, and when Oldfield made a trademark save a few kicks later, it was left for Shane Rexhepi to bury the final penalty and send his side to the next round.
Caretaker coach Dean Hennessey spoke of the result putting to bed a difficult week following the departure of former head coach and mastermind of last year’s run, Lou Acevski, following a Dockerty Cup semi-final defeat to Green Gully.
“Really relieved, I’m really pleased for the players, it’s really hard on players – and coaches and staff,” he said.
“Tough week but the boys bounced back really well on Saturday against Green Gully and we were confident we could win here against Marconi.
“We made hard work of it, credit to Marconi, they played really well, and obviously when they took the lead we started to fear the worst.
“But we always knew from last year’s run to never lie down we never give up, they’re a tight knit group and proved it but getting the equaliser and going on to win.
Hennessey also paid credit to custodian Oldfield, who said the players’ confidence and belief in each other remained strong.
“The last time I was in a cup competition in penalties I saved four, so I knew going into this I could do well,” he said.
“We dominated the game I thought. Pavlovic pulls a worldie out and you can’t give these players any time.
“[But] going into the game we knew we’d score goals – it doesn’t matter what time, whether the first or the last minute – credit to the boys, we kept going.”
Image: Sean Ellicott