Avondale edges NPL rival Hume City to claim historic Dockerty Cup victory

After coming so close for so long, Avondale has finally claimed its first major trophy. A late penalty securing a maiden Dockerty Cup title.

Avondale celebrates its Dockerty Cup title. Picture: Avondale FC Facebook

So close for so long, Avondale has broken through for its first major trophy.

A Stefan Valentini penalty in the 84th minute secured the Avengers a maiden Dockerty Cup title in a 1-0 win over NPL rival Hume City on Sunday.

There was pure elation as the final whistle blew, ending the club’s title hoodoo.

Avondale fell short of the NPL Championship in 2019, lost the NPL grand final in 2018 and 2019 and were cruising, seven points clear at the top of the table, this season before COVID intervened.

Coach Zoran Markovski was thrilled to see all the hard work on and off the pitch pay off.

“The club is buzzing at the moment, our first major trophy,” he said.

“It’s really pleasing for our group, we had a plan three years ago to win a trophy, so full credit to the boys for going out and putting on that performance, especially after the stop-start season with COVID.”

The drama-filled final at Fawkner’s CB Smith Reserve, that saw both teams have a player sent off in the second half, looked headed to extra-time and possibly penalties before Valentini’s decisive spot kick.

After a cagey opening half the match exploded in the final 18 minutes.

City skipper Hayden Tennant was given his marching orders in the 72nd minute after a second yellow card and Avengers striker Liam Boland was controversially shown red six minutes later after an altercation with Matthew Lazarides – who was only given a yellow.

The defining moment arrived when Yitay Towns was brought down inside the box and Valentini calmly slotted it past Hume keeper Lucas Trenkovski.

“It was a great penalty, power hit into the top corner, it was a great strike,” Markovski said.

Stefan Valentini in action for Avondale.

“It was a good cup final, couple of red cards, physical challenges.

“Hume, for me, is one of the top three teams in the NPL.

“It’s good for football in the state, two of the best teams in Victoria going head-to-head in the cup final.

“It was a cagey affair, both keepers had mostly bugger all to do, but we had more of the chances and got in behind them more often.

“The way we defended, we were resilient and strong, they never looked like breaking us down. My defensive four and midfield four were super.”

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Avondale is also still alive in the FFA Cup.

The Avengers got a bye through the Round of 32 with Tasmanian club Devonport Strikers withdrawing.

They are guaranteed to host an A-League club in the Round of 16 with Wellington Phoenix and Western United facing off on Tuesday night for the right to travel to ABD Stadium in Broadmeadows.

Markovski said the tie was a free hit for his club and they’d throw everything at their A-League rival.