South Melbourne returns to Australia Cup semi-finals with win over Hume City

For the third time this year, South Melbourne has ended Hume City’s trophy hopes. Jordan Lampard’s late winner sending Hellas into the Australia Cup semi-finals.

Jordon Lampard celebrates scoring the match-winner for South Melbourne.

South Melbourne is back in the Australia Cup semi-finals for the first time since 2017.

The Victorian football power booked its ticket with a thrilling 3-2 extra-time win over Hume City in Wednesday’s night’s quarter-final at Broadmeadows Stadium.

The victory was the perfect response to South’s NPL grand final loss just four days prior.

In the fifth meeting between the clubs this season, Hellas has won all five and ended Hume’s Dockerty Cup, NPL championship and now Australia Cup hopes.

Despite torrential rain, an outstanding crowd of more than 1700 people watched an exhilarating contest as both sides threw everything at each other.

South Melbourne celebrates winning through to the Australia Cup semi-finals.

Dejected Hume City players after the final siren.

Jordan Lampard was the hero, heading home a 115th minute winner.

In a man-of-the-match performance, he also helped set up South’s second goal, winning the ball in midfield before getting forward to deliver an inch-perfect cross for Max Mikkola to score.

Hume City had 59 per cent possession and outshot South 23-19 but Hellas was the more efficient with nine shots on target to five.

South Melbourne veteran Andy Brennan said the team performance deserved victory.

“I’m pretty sure Jordan just closed his eyes and let the ball hit his head,” Brennan joked.

“He deserved it as well, it wasn’t just that, he won the ball on the half-way line for the second goal and had a fantastic game.

“It was a pretty hard-fought match.

“To turn it around the match on the weekend against Oakleigh, we needed to come together, so it was very special.”

Returning to the line-up after missing the grand final through suspension, Brennan said the club had to find something special.

“It was really hard, seeing the boys and how dejected they were,” he said.

Harrison Sawyer celebrates a goal for South Melbourne.

Lachlan Weier celebrates a goal for Hume City.

“Especially after a long season where we really felt we’d get it and two years prior losing 5-nil and 4-nil, it was really tough.

“On Monday the boys were down, even coming here the mood was funny and maybe that’s why we started slow.

“We fight, we’ve always fought, we’ve come from behind against so many teams.”

Having lost the previous four encounters 1-0, Hume City finally broke through South’s defence with the opening goal of the match.

City skipper Josh Bingham escaped his marker to tuck home vice-captain Mark Ochieng’s cross in the 12th minute.

The hosts took the lead to half-time thanks largely to a brilliant save by Michael Weier on Nahuel Bonada and Jack Painter-Andrews’ follow-up was headed off the line by Ochieng.

However, the lead didn’t last long after the break as South was awarded a penalty in just the fourth minute.

Karl Imanzi was adjudged to have handballed in the box and Hellas captain Harrison Sawyer made no mistake from the spot.

The visitors then took the lead in the 73rd minute as Mikkola deftly headed home Lampard’s cross.

But again, the lead didn’t last long.

NPL: WINNING TIME: OAKLEIGH CANNONS CHAMPIONS AGAIN

LEADER: GET YOUR NPL VICTORIA NEWS HERE

Lachlan Weier producing a stunning right-foot thunderbolt to level the scores just two minutes later.

The match headed to extra-time and with penalties looming, Lampard stole in from the left, splitting two Hume defenders to head home and snatch victory.

South will now face either NPL Victoria arch-rival and grand final nemesis Oakleigh Cannons or A-League outfit Macarthur.

That match will be played on Saturday, while on the other side of the draw Adelaide United and Western Sydney Wanderers clash on Thursday night and Moreton City Excelsior hosts Melbourne Victory on Saturday.