Melbourne City has progressed to the last eight of the FFA Cup on Wednesday night, defeating Newcastle Jets 1-0 at AAMI Park.
City were dominant in the 2017/18 Semi Final replay, with Bruno Fornaroli proving to be the difference with a stunning 54th minute strike to secure a safe passage to the next round.
The result sees Warren Joyce’s side progress to the Quarter Finals of the competition where they will meet Western Sydney Wanderers at home in a date to be confirmed.
Starting XI
Our team is in for tonight's @FFACup Round of 16 clash with Newcastle! Kick-off 7.30pm. #MCYvNEW #FFACup pic.twitter.com/YuhwgnD0IW
— Melbourne City FC ?️ (@MelbourneCity) August 29, 2018
What happened
The contest started brightly for both sides with a chance for City and a corner in the opening minutes for the Jets setting the platform for an entertaining contest.
City looked dangerous in transition after beating the Newcastle line and had their first chances of the match in the space of a minute. First, it was Lachlan Wales who beat the Jets’ offside trap as he failed to sneak his effort past the on-rushing Glen Moss who was outside of the area.
Only seconds later, Fornaroli had the chance to volley towards goal from the back post but his effort fizzed just over the bar.
City continued their dominance with Dario Vidosic fashioning two efforts on goal, his second coming closest to the opener, forcing a low save from Moss.
The hosts best chance of the opening stanza though came through an unlikely source as Harrison Delbridge found himself with an angle on goal in the penalty area. After brilliant interplay between the City forward third, Delbridge’s late run into the area saw him volley towards goal as Moss made a sharp save at his near post.
Depsite the Jets coming out of the break with more vigour, it was City who would take the lead. A break down the centre of the park saw room for Fornaroli to cut in on his right foot and curl his effort into the top corner in signature ‘El Tuna’ fashion.
The Jets responded to the goal to some degree as Bart Schenkeveld and Eugene Galekovic were called into action for half opportunities however it was City who looked most likely to add a second with Riley McGree and Rostyn Griffiths having chances to put the game beyond doubt.
City would walk away with the result however, putting in a dominant performance and securing their passage to the last eight.
What’s next
City will face Western Sydney in a replay of the 2016 Quarter Final. Match details will be confirmed at melbournecityfc.com.au
