FFA Cup heartbreak for Hume City as Bentleigh Greens progress after penalty shootout

A mazy run by Hume’s Daniel Clark late in the first half of extra time finished with his left-foot shot clattering back off the post.

National Premier League rival Bentleigh Greens then held on for penalties, where the visitors prevailed 4-1.

Earlier, it was Bentleigh which started the better of the two teams at Broadmeadows Valley Park, capitalising on a mistake by Hume goalkeeper Michael Weier, whose clearance cannoned straight into Tyson Holmes.

Trailing at halftime, the home side put in a determined effort and equalised in the 62nd minute.

An inspired turn by Liam Boland left two Bentleigh players in his wake, before slipping the ball to Jayden Prasad, who buried the shot to the left of the opposition goalkeeper.

Although a heartbreaking way to go out of the cup, playing coach Nick Hegarty said he was proud of all his players.

“It was disappointing the way it happened after all the effort we put in,” he said.

“We probably deserved more.”

While the football aspect of the game was ruined somewhat by the strong wind, the coach said it made the contest one more of heart and desire.

“I believe we showed most of that to get back in the game,” Hegarty said.

“We could have nicked it on another day, but then again maybe not.”

Hegarty, who came on as a second-half substitute, said right-back Ersin Kaya was his man of the match, while Clark impressed in central midfield, as did 18-year-old left-back Karl Baricevic and 17-year-old substitute Hayden Tennant.

“It was a good experience for a lot of young players who’ve never been on this stage before,” Hegarty said.

“To be put under a bit of pressure from a good Bentleigh team.

“We had some chances to win the game and there were some tired bodies towards the end.

“Hopefully it was a good game to watch but unfortunately we didn’t win at the end.”

Bentleigh now faces a home clash against A-League giant Western Sydney Wanderers in the next round of the cup.