Magic of the Cup: Kingston City’s remarkable win over South Melbourne

VIDEO: Terry Skapetis scored a marvellous goal as Kingston City pulled off a remarkable win over NPL power South Melbourne in the Australia Cup.

Kingston City captain Daniel Bennett controls the ball. Picture: Kingston City FC

Kingston City pulled off one of the upsets of the Australia Cup campaign on Tuesday night, knocking out NPL power South Melbourne.

City came from behind three times before scoring an 81st minute winner to seal a remarkable 4-3 victory at Lakeside Stadium.

Terry Skapetis produced the highlight of the night, scoring a brilliant solo goal, sparking what would be a famous night for the NPL2 premiership contenders.

Skapetis would finish the night with a brace, while brother Peter also found the scoresheet and Keisuka Honda produced a moment of magic to score the winner in a mesmerising finish.

Kingston captain Daniel Bennett said it was a special night to be a part of.

“It was an awesome night, it was great to get the win,” he said.

“To be honest we believe we can beat anyone if we show up.

“We equalised three times and that’s a testament to the boys and what the coaches have drilled into us.

“The half-time team talk was very much about belief, although we were 2-1 down we were very much in the game and felt we had the better chances in the first half.

“That’s the best thing this year, no matter the score and no matter the time we believe we have the quality to change the game at any moment.”

South Melbourne opened the scoring in the 22nd minute thanks to a Max Mikkola penalty before Skapetis drew Kingston level with a thunderous long-range strike.

Taking the ball in his own half, Skapetis wove through four South Melbourne defenders before unleashing an unstoppable strike into the top left corner from 30 metres.

Bennett had no doubt it would be “goal of the tournament”.

Ajak Riak put South Melbourne ahead again just before half-time better Peter Skapetis looped an inch-perfect header over the goalkeeper and into the net to make it 2-2.

Marco Jankovic made it three goals all from set pieces for Hellas with a towering header in the 69th minute but Kingston would not be denied as Skapetis won and converted a contentious penalty just six minutes later.

Then it was Kingston’s turn to take the lead.

Peter jinked past his marker, finding Honda with a perfect ball, who’s first time touch turned his defender inside out before calmly slotting home.

It was the second last-gasp comeback in as many nights for Kingston City after a thrilling 3-3 draw with Pascoe Vale in the league on Friday night.

City had taken a 2-0 lead before falling behind 3-2 only for Yianni Danigelis to score an 85th minute equaliser to share the points.

Terry and Peter Skapetis both have six goals across all competitions as Kingston looks to earn promotion back to the NPL after relegation in 2019.

“They’ve both played overseas in England and that experience, they’re quality shows,” Bennett said of the brothers.

“It’s not just they’re offensive work either, obviously they’re scoring goals and getting assists, but credit to them because people aren’t talking about they’re defensive work to make sure we’re not conceding as a unit.

“It starts from the front with the Skapetis boys and Honda up front.

Following the draw with Pascoe Vale, City sits third on the NPL2 ladder, just two points behind leaders Western United with a 5-1-2 record.

The Clayton-based club welcomes second-placed Preston Lions to The Grange in a Round 9 blockbuster.

Bennett is confident the club can compete on both fronts.

“That’s our goal is to go deep in the Cup and hopefully look at promotion,” he said.

“The league is incredibly exciting, it’s very, very tight and anyone can beat anyone.

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“You see even down the bottom, a couple of wins will have you in the top four and vice versa, drop a couple at the top and you’re sitting mid-table.”

Elsewhere in Round 4, State League 2 South-East club Brandon Park shocked NPL2 high-flyers Langwarrin 2-0 and State League 1’s Whittlesea United upset NPL2 outfit Bulleen Lions 2-1.

NPL3 club Goulburn Valley thrashed NPL2 premiership contender Pascoe Vale 6-0, Avondale hammered State League 3 minnows Diamond Valley United 17-0, while Hume City and Port Melbourne put seven goals on Doncaster Rovers and Richmond respectively.

Moreland City and Croydon City round out the round tonight.