Marko Delic scores miraculous goal as Hume City advance to Dockerty Cup final for first time

Hume City are celebrating their first Dockerty Cup semi-final win after a defensive masterclass and a miraculous goal from Marko Delic lifted the NPL high-flyers past Moreland Zebras.

Matthew Lazarides in action for Hume City. Picture: Andy Brownbill

A moment of Marko Delic brilliance delivered Hume City its first Dockerty Cup final appearance on Tuesday night.

City produced a defensive masterclass against NPL2 West leaders Moreland Zebras to claim the semi-final 1-0 at Oakleigh’s Jack Edwards Reserve.

The Zebras largely outplayed their higher ranked rivals, creative and attacking from the start, but couldn’t find the finishing touch.

Both teams looked to attack from out wide and it was a Delic surge that provided the match’s defining moment.

Facing three Zebras defenders, Delic had an initial cross blocked on the right edge of the area before his second effort somehow floated over the head of Moreland keeper Jack West-Astuti and in.

FULLTIMEMoreland Zebras 0 - 1 Hume City✅ Wondergoal✅ Clean sheet✅ Through to Dockerty Cup final⚽️ - Marko Delic (41')#ZIGIZAGA #HCFC #DOCKERTYCUP

Posted by Hume City F.C. on Tuesday, 9 July 2019

City coach Nick Hegarty was thrilled with the win after falling short of the cup final in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

“That’s the fourth semi-final we’ve played in the last five years,” he said.

“When you get to semi-finals, it’s just about getting over the line, and that was certainly the case today.

“It’s a great achievement and something we’ve probably deserved over the course of the season.

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“We’re just rapt to be in the final and hopefully a chance to win some silverware for the first time in the club’s history.”

City could have opened the scoring in the opening 10 minutes but Ben Bowler fired over from close range.

Minutes later Zebras striker Tom Barforosh missed an open net after Hume keeper Michael Weier save landed at his feet.

Having got the opening goal, City parked the bus, happy to play on the counter with Paul Wilson, Daniel Dixon and Mark Ochieng shutting down the Zebras’ front line.

Hume City coach Nick Hegarty. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Hegarty was proud of his players’ resilience in the face of waves of Moreland attacks.

“You ride the wave in sports sometimes and it’s always on moments, seconds, deflections and moments of class and we got a bit of luck today,” he said.

“In the second half, yeah, when you get the goal you’re gameplan changes.

“(Moreland) looked dangerous and threatening, without too many clear cut chances, and we frustrated them into shooting from range.

“To be honest they probably deserved more than they got today, they played a good shift, put a lot of pressure on us and they should hold their heads up high.”

Hume City will face the winner of Melbourne Knights and Bulleen Lions in the Dockerty Cup final on Saturday, August 10 at Kingston Heath in Cheltenham.

However, first City must face NPL leaders Avondale at Avengers Park in Parkville and travel to Canberra on July 31st for a FFA Cup Round of 32 clash against Cooma Tigers.