COULD Melrose emerge from the woodwork to be a serious threat for the AWFA Cup?
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Coach Chad Thomson thinks so, and with an upset win over league champions Albury United in last Sunday's quarter final under his belt, has a mounting case for his side.
They'll come up against Myrtleford for the second time in three weeks on Sunday afternoon, with a second win from as many games in their sights.
“We've exceeded our expectations for the year,” Thomson said.
“The pressure valve is off, I've been telling the boys to play with some freedom and to go out and enjoy it.”
Myrtleford coach Joey Artavilla conceded that Melrose had shaped into a serious threat for the cup after a strong end to the season.
“They're a specialist in finals,” Artavilla said.
“When you look at last week's results, winning over United, we can't take them lightly.
“We played Melrose in the last game of the season and were missing a few, and we tried a few guys in different positions.
“But at the end of the the the scoreline says it all.”
The Savoys are set to field a mostly full-strength side, while Melrose will be without key defender Logan Rickard, after the playmaker suffered a season-ending knee injury a few weeks ago.
The ledger is square between the two sides this year, with both claiming 2-1 wins throughout the season.
Thomson said he was confident his team has what it takes to claim another win over the arguably more consistent Myrtleford.
“In the games we've played this year both sides have created plenty of chances,” Thomson said.
“The team that has taken those chances has won on those occasions, and it'll be no different on Sunday.”
In the other semi-final this weekend, Boomers will have to overcome bogey side Wangaratta to book a spot in the Cup final.
It's been one-way traffic in Wangaratta's favour this year, registering 5-0 and 3-0 wins in their previous encounters, despite Boomers taking the round one points due to a dispute over visa restrictions.
Boomers coach Andrew Grove said his side needed to close down Wangaratta's avenues to goal.
“We need to tighten up in the back half, keep ourselves in it for longer,” Grove said.
