Rockdale City Suns FC's brave bid to reach the final eight of the Football Federation Australia FFA Cup Round of 16 was thwarted by glamour A-League Club Melbourne Victory, 3-2, on Tuesday night at Jubilee Oval, Kogarah.
In front of a vocal crowd of 4165, the Suns, representing the St George and Sutherland Shire region from the Football NSW National Premier Leagues competition, played their hearts out.
The Suns, akin to the biblical story of David who slew Goliath, were unable to bring a big enough slingshot to down the Victory. But they almost did.
Melbourne Victory led 1-0 at halftime after an opening 45 minutes where the Suns dominated.
The defending A-league champions, Melbourne Victory, then scored early in the second half to lead 2-0 but the Suns fought back with a penalty goal to striker Marko Jesic.
Melbourne Victory's midfielder Jesse Markarounas scored twice for the visitors and their other goal came from Besart Berisha.
But with just four minutes to go, a header from Rockdale City Suns' defender Nicholas Petrillo reduced the leeway to 3-2.
Under a bright moon, both teams played entertaining football with the more-fancied Melbourne Victory team under threat from many fine attacking raids.
The Suns were gallant and a partisan home crowd urged on their team.
During the match a small group of supporters at the school end of the ground lit flares, and a smoke haze drifted across.
In the final stages, the Suns had several shots on goal repelled by the Victory defence and their goalkeeper Daniel Vukovic.
Suns' goalkeeper Ivan Necevski made several top saves.
Best for the brave Suns was, Hristijan Tanoski, Ivan Necevski, a Toufic Alameddine and striker Marko Jesic.
Melbourne Victory 3 ( Jesse Makarounas 2 goals, Besart Berisha one goal) defeated Rockdale City Suns FC 2( Marko Jesic penalty goal and Nicholas Petrillo one goal).
More FFA news in Thursday's Leader.
