Round of 16 McDonald?s Cup matches set for Tuesday
Lambert Park will play host to a classic encounter involving two staunch NSW Premier League rivals A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers taking on Marconi Stallions. The two teams have always produced top notch football matches and this game will be no exception as the Tigers look towards maintaining their recent run of good form against the current NSW Premier League leaders. Lee Sterrey?s men were taken to the wire against the West Sydney Berries in their round 3 clash while the Tigers defeated Mosman 3-1.
At Jensen Park Bankstown City FC play host to the South Coast Wolves in a match that could go either way. Bankstown were convincing round 3 winners against the Schofields Scorpions while the Wolves produced a stellar performance which saw them dump one of the Cup favourites Bonnyrigg White Eagles out of the tournament.
A titanic battle will take place at Seymour Shaw as 2009 Cup winners Sutherland Sharks face former Illawarra Premier League champions Dandaloo. The hungry Sharks will be hoping that they can continue their form in the Cup but will come against some hefty opposition in Dandaloo who with players such as former Sharks star David Reid and ex-NSW Premier League players Milan Bosnar, Sam Munro, Alvin Ceccoli and Mitchell Blowes, will prove to be a tough opponent on the night.
Fairfield City Lions travel to Cromer Park to take on Manly United with their new player/manager in charge Craig Midgely running the ship. The Lions have been very impressive in the Cup having knocked out the likes of Super League sides Macarthur Rams and more recently Parramatta Eagles. The prospect of knocking out a NSW Premier League side will be motivation alone in the Lions? aspirations of reaching the quarter-final stages of the McDonald?s Cup.
Blacktown City faces a tricky tie at Lily Homes Stadium when they take on Sydney University who are one of the toughest Super League opponents at the present moment. Aytek Genc?s squad have indicated their intentions of lifting up silverware in the McDonald?s Cup after smashing Stanmore Hawks 7-0 in their round 3 duel but will need to overcome a young side fresh from giving Mounties Wanderers a 7-1 touch up.
Sydney United have been drawn to take on known Cup surprises Blacktown Spartans at Francis Park. The State League One outfit claimed the scalp of NSW Premier League side Rockdale City Suns during their round 3 clash and will no doubt be up to the task when they take on one of the Premier League?s finest. The Reds found it tough in their round 3 clash against State League One side Inter Lions as they won 4-2 after extra time but will no doubt look to their players for more against their opponents.
It will be an all Super League affair when the Granville Rage take on the Northern Tigers with a spot in the quarter-finals up for grabs. Both teams have endured an up and down year in their respective competition but will look towards furthering their chances of a Cup spot with this draw. The Rage will be on a high after defeating NSW Premier League side Sydney Olympic 3-2 scoring their final goal in the 90th minute.
Finally Super League side Spirit FC will be hosting the Cup?s fairytale team Sutherland Association?s Gwawley Bay at Christie Park. The Shire based side have had a wonderful run in the Cup and have upset all odds in being amongst the final 16 but will need to be at their very best when they tackle Jason Van Blerk?s gritty Spirit FC outfit.
Round 16 Fixtures
(All matches to be played on Tuesday the 25th of May at 7.30pm)
Granville Rage v Northern Tigers ? Garside Park
Manly United v Fairfield City Lions – Cromer Park 2
Sydney University v Blacktown City – Lily Homes Stadium (8pm)
APIA Leichhardt Tigers v Marconi Stallions – Lambert Park
Sutherland Sharks v Dandaloo FC – Seymour Shaw
Blacktown Spartans v Sydney United – Francis Park
Bankstown City Lions v South Coast Wolves – Jensen Park
Spirit FC v Gwawley Bay – Christie Park
-By Mark Stavroulakis
