Thrills and spills hit McDonalds Cup Round 2 matches
Super League side Macarthur Rams became the first Super League casualty of the McDonalds Cup after they lost 4-1 on penalties against State League One outfit Fairfield City Lions at Lynwood Park on Tuesday. The game ended at 2-2 after ninety minutes before both side?s added yet another goal to send the game into extra time. From there it was the Lions who reigned supreme and won themselves a ticket into the next round of the McDonalds Cup where they could face a NSW Premier League side much to the delight of the Lions management and team.
Sydney University ended Eastern Suburbs Association side Lokomotiv Cove?s run in the Cup after defeating them 2-0 at Fraser Park on Tuesday. Carlos Villazon and Caetano Lima were the heroes on the evening as University celebrated their passage into the next stage of the Cup. The Super League side fielded a number of their Under 20?s players and dominated the majority of the match however the Cove did put in a gritty performance on what was a cold evening.
State League One side Mounties Wanderers defeated State League Two team Luddenham with a solitary goal via Stephen Lloyd at Cook Park on Tuesday. It was a hard fought match as both teams went at each other however the Mounties Wanderers proved to be more accurate in front of goal with Llyod?s winner midway through the first half.
There were goals aplenty at Christie Park as Super League side Spirit FC thumped State League One side Hurstville ZFC 6-0 in what was one-way traffic for Jason Van Blerk?s side.
At Melita Stadium current Super League high flyers Parramatta Eagles progressed into the next round of the Cup after a convincing 4-1 win over State League One side Balmain SC.
St George Stadium played host to an entertaining match as Super League side St George pipped State League One side Gladesville Ryde Magic 2-1 on Wednesday. The Saints scored two first half goals via 17-year-old Blake Ricciuto and 16-year-old Jordan Figon before the Magic converted a penalty via Andrew McKie with twelve minutes remaining.
State League One side Inter Lions ended St George Association?s Sans Souci?s run in the Cup after handing them a 6-1 defeat at Claydon Reserve.
Manly Association side Collaroy Cromer produced a herculean effort which saw them oust Super League side Central Coast Lightning 4-2 at St Matthews Farm much to the delight of the Association side.
Fellow Manly Association club Mosman were happy chaps after smashing State League side Mt Druitt Town Rangers emphatically 5-0 which sent out a stern warning to many in Round 3 that this club meant business.
Sutherland Association based side Gwawley Bay sent Super League side Dulwich Hill tumbling out of the Cup after defeating them 3-2 on penalties after the match ended 1-1.
The battle of the Association clubs saw Blacktown Association side Doonside Hawks defeat Granville Association?s Ariana FC 3-0 at Glendenning Reserve.
State League One team Hills Brumbies recorded a monumental 3-1 win over Super League team FC Bossy Liverpool while fellow State League one club Stanmore Hawks sent out Super League side Fraser Park 2-1 in what was an evening of shock results.
Illawarra Premier League side Bulli saw their Round 3 McDonalds Cup finals fade as they were dealt with a 3-2 loss to Super League side Northern Tigers at Balls Paddock.
In other matches Granville Rage scored a 2-1 win over UNSW, Camden Tigers beat Prospect United 2-0 and Hawkesbury City defeated Seaforth 3-1 on penalty shootouts after the game ended 1-1.
There were two Round One matches played as Springwood defeated St Josephs Rydalmere 2-0 while Belmore Hercules beat Dee Why 4-2 on penalties after the game ended 2-2 after ninety minutes.
Three matches are still to be played in completing round 2 of the McDonalds Cup with Schofield Scorpions taking on Belmore Hercules and Roosters FC battling 2009 Illawarra Premier League Champions Dandaloo on Tuesday 4th May while on Wednesday 5th May Blacktown Spartans take on Springwood at Francis Park.
Round 3 of the McDonalds Cup looks set to be played on Wednesday 12th May with the final teams from the NSW Premier League entering the fray.
Football NSW will keep you updated with these forthcoming fixtures.
To view the results click here.
-By Mark Stavroulakis
