Report by Tommy Doleman

Pictured: Bruno Fornaroli holds off Athena's Bobby Wilson. Photo: Vince Caratozzolo / www.fotoenzo.com

Gallant Floreat Athena fell narrowly short of stunning their Hyundai A-League opponents as a goal in each half earned Melbourne City a 2-1 win and progression to the Westfield FFA Cup Round of 16.

A boisterous crowd of almost 1500 fans packed into Dorrien Gardens to cheer on locals Athena - and they were on their feet when Kris Gate stunned the Hyundai A-League visitors with a goal that cancelled out Nick Fitzgerald’s first-half strike.

But just as Floreat were dreaming of a shock win their hopes were dashed only six minutes later as Anthony Caceres scored from 25m with a goal fit to win any game.

The hosts had goalkeeper Jason Saldaris to thank throughout as City looked to put the game out of sight, although Athena had chances of their own.

Floreat coach Glen Grostate lauded his team’s effort on memorable night for the club.

“We had chances to score goals tonight and I’m just so proud of the boys for their performance,” he said.

“At half time we decided to go for it and play with two up front and for a while we were punching but they wouldn’t fall down.

“To only lose 2-1 to an outfit like that is tremendous. I don’t know what to say, it’s the happiest I’ve been when I’ve lost a game.”

Grostate also praised WA’s football public for coming out to support the local game.

“We could feel the crowd behind us all night and it was like we had WA behind us and that was magnificent,” he said.

“It was a great feeling to coach against players of that quality. It’s magnificent. I’ve absolutely loved the day, it’s been brilliant.”

The hosts survived an early scare inside five minutes as Luke Brattan’s free kick cannoned off the bar and Osama Malik’s follow-up went wide.

Athena gradually warmed to the occasion as Jon Stynes shot tamely at Thomas Sorenson moments after the Dane gathered Gate’s shot at the second attempt.

City continued to dominate possession and forced Saldaris into two fine saves as he palmed Manny Muscat’s drive wide before acrobatically tipping Malik’s header over.

Floreat then had their best moment of the half as Stynes and Ludovic Boi linked up with the latter flashing a cross-shot narrowly beyond the reach of Gate.

But their resistance was eventually broken on 32 minutes as Fitzgerald cut inside from the left and blasted a shot inside Saldaris’ near post from 18m.

Saldaris was excellent between the sticks all night and made a terrific save to deny Brattan, which proved even more important as Floreat drew level on 59 minutes.

Lewis McMahon found a pocket of space on half way and played through Gate, who held off his marker and fired the ball beyond Sorenson.

The hosts weren’t level for long, though, as Caceres turned and rifled an unstoppable drive into the top corner from distance.

Caceres shot from range again moments later with Saldaris turning it around the post before the visitors got bodies back to block McMahon’s shot from inside the area.

Stynes got in behind the defence once again with five minutes remaining but he couldn’t dig out a cross for McMahon as the A-League side advanced.

City coach John van’t Schip was happy with the victory but conceded it had been a tough contest.

“They had some dangerous moments as well and credit to Floreat Athena,” he said. “They made it very hard for us and we’re just happy we’re there for the next round.”

Floreat Athena 1 (Gate 59’)
Melbourne City 1 (Fitzgerald 32’, Caceres 65’)
Tuesday August 2, 2016
Dorrien Gardens
Kick-off: 6:30pm
Referee: Adam Fielding

Floreat Athena: GK. Jason SALDARIS, 2. Shaun TIMMINS, 3. Blair GOVAN, 5. Bobby WILSON (33. Cameron YORKE 76’), 6. Clayton ARNEZ, 8. Jon STYNES, 10. Kris GATE, 11. Dennis GALAN (20. Robbie GASPAR 63’), 14. Ludovic BOI (18. Phil ARNOLD 54’), 15. Christopher SALDARIS, 19. Lewis MCMAHON
Substitutes not used: RGK. Jordan BARBAS, 12. Nathan SCULLY
Yellow cards: Timmins, McMahon 34’, Arnez 51’, Wilson 56’, Arnold 75’, Saldaris 89’
Red cards: Nil

Melbourne City: GK: Thomas SORENSON, 2. Emmanuel MUSCAT, 4. Connor CHAPMAN, 6. Osama MALIK, 11. Bruce KAMAU (28. Steve KUZMANOVSKI 73’), 12. Nick FITZGERALD (14. Daniel ARZANI 83’), 18. Paulo RETRE (27.Fernando BRANDAN 58’), 22. Jack CLISBY, 23. Bruno FORNAROLI, 26. Luke BRATTAN, 29. Anthony CACERES
Substitutes not used: RGK: Dean BOUZANIS, 21. Ruon TONGYIK
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil