Werribee City can feel more like it belongs in the top tier of Victorian soccer after claiming the scalp of powerhouse Oakleigh Cannons 2-1 in a Dockerty Cup fourth-round surprise at Jack Edwards Reserve on Saturday.
The young and developing Bees would have been filled with self-doubt following their four-goal thrashing at the hands of Green Gully in the National Premier League, but the win over the Cannons suggests they may be a banana peel for a few of big-reputation clubs this season.
Bees coach Nino Ragusa was delighted with his team’s response to the heavy first-up defeat to Gully.
“We knew we had to improve in a lot of areas and they did it quickly,” he said. “Credit to the boys – they found the answers we needed.
“We improved our possession game; our defensive game stayed very strong and overall we were competitive for 90 minutes.”
The experience of Ryan Filipovic was crucial for the Bees. He tucked away the opening goal, pulled the strings in the middle of the park and had a big say in team structure.
“The inexperienced heads around him, he guided them, told them when they had to do things, where they had to be, and everything looked far better because of it,” Ragusa said.
The Cannons fired back with a goal in the shadows of half-time.
Werribee’s winner eventually came from striker Josh Groenewald 15 minutes from time.
A journeyman, Groenewald is eager to nail down a starting berth at his new club and is going the right way about it.
Groenewald has formed a strike partnership with Zois Galanopoulos, another player with a point to prove after failing to secure a starting role with the Bees last season and spending much of the season on loan at lower-league South Springvale.
“He does have a few years of Premier League experience, but he has gone from club to club a little bit,” Ragusa said of Groenewald.
“He’s still young but he brings a bit more strength to our game, rather than just straight line speed.
“I think he’ll be a handy pick up.”
The Bees will entertain Hume City in their NPL home opener at Galvin Park on Sunday from 3pm.
Ragusa is going into the game with his eyes wide open about the talent that Hume City possesses.
“I’ve already seen them play and they’re an excellent team,” he said.
“I think they’ll be one of the forerunners for the league this year.
