The Berries bounced back in style in their Round 28 home match against Hakoah, recording a deserved 4–3 victory in an entertaining contest.

The win was the Berries’ 13th of the season, keeping them in 5th position on the ladder with a record of 13 wins, 6 draws and 9 losses, with just two rounds of the 2026 season remaining.

The Berries showed their intent from the opening whistle, and it was Man of the Match John Fotopoulos who opened the scoring after just four minutes.

Midfielder Aleks Zecevic played a superb ball across from the right edge, finding Fotopoulos unmarked. The Berries winger made no mistake, giving Hakoah goalkeeper Nicholas Loe no chance to make it 1–0.

The Berries continued to threaten, and in the 22nd minute left-back Ryan Jom played a superb forward pass for Fotopoulos, who produced a beautiful first-time cross but no CC  right winger Fiks Berisha narrowly missed the opportunity to double the Berries’ advantage.

Two minutes later, Hakoah hit the post when Benjamin Fuchs struck from the edge of the box.

The Berries continued to create chances. In the 32nd minute, William Kounnas drove forward before releasing the ball to Fotopoulos, who returned it to Kounnas, but he was unable to add to his impressive 20-goal tally and is in the hunt for the golden boot with two rounds to go.

Against the run of play, Hakoah levelled in the 33rd minute when Nicholas Tilley saw his shot take a deflection and find the back of the net.

The Berries responded immediately. In the 38th minute, Kounnas again drove forward before playing a first-time ball to Fotopoulos. and he delivered a pinpoint cross for Fiks Berisha, to head home his 9th goal of the season and restore the Berries’ lead at 2–1.

The Berries went into the half-time break leading 2–1, with Fotopoulos having scored his 8th goal of the season and provided an assist for Berisha’s 9th of the season.

The Berries continued to attack after the break. In the 48th minute, Fotopoulos combined with Kounnas and Jom before receiving the ball back and delivering a teasing cross that Hakoah almost turned into their own net.

Three minutes later, centre-back Dejan Bakrdanikoski played a long ball forward for Kounnas to chase and his shot was blocked.

Hakoah then levelled for a second time in the 55th minute when striker Valentine Cunny produced a neat finish to make it 2–2.

The Berries refused to be denied. In the 73rd minute, a superb set piece from Patrick Savor found Bakrdanikoski, who rose highest to head the ball home and put the Berries back in front 3–2.

 

Just three minutes later, Fotopoulos delivered another outstanding set piece, this time finding substitute striker Jake McLeod, who headed past Loe to make it 4–2. It was Fotopoulos’ second assist of the night.

In the 79th minute, substitute Dennis Jang nearly added a fifth after good work down the left from Kounnas, who combined with Fotopoulos but  Jang’s effort was saved by Loe.

Hakoah made the closing stages interesting when Nicholas Tilley scored his second of the night in the 89th minute to reduce the margin to 4–3.

The Berries, however, held firm to secure three important points and a well-deserved victory.

Head Coach Wally Savor was pleased to see his side return to winning ways after a difficult month of fixtures. “It was good to see the boys win after a disappointing loss last week.”

Club President Stan Seraskeris was delighted to see the team score four goals and produce the attacking football that has made the Berries one of the league’s most prolific sides. He was also hopeful the Berries can finish the season strongly with just two rounds remaining.

The Berries now turn their attention to Round 29, when they travel to Bulls Academy at Edensor Park on Saturday, 22 August, with kick-off at 7:00pm.