Four teams edge closer to McDonald?s Cup Final dream

At Seymour Shaw Park, 2009 Cup winners Sutherland Sharks were dumped out of the tournament by a tough Blacktown City FC outfit 2-0. A double from pragmatic marksman Tolgay Ozbey, both coming in the first half and his second coming from the spot-kick gave Aytek Genc?s men the vital victory over Robbie Stanton?s men.
There was a five goal thriller at Cromer Park as the Marconi Stallions edged out Manly United 3-2 in what were very chilly conditions on Sydney?s Northern Beaches. Things started brightly for the away side as Alex Canak scored in the 8^th minute before youngster Laurence Braude added a second in the 18^th minute. Manly struck back however and scored two before half-time thanks to a classy double by Chris Payne. Lee Sterrey?s men had the last laugh and scored via Nahuel Arrarte with nine minutes remaining sending the Fairfield based side into the Semi-Finals of the McDonald?s Cup.
At Christie Park Super League outfit Spirit FC showed they meant business as they knocked off NSW Premier League side South Coast Wolves 2-0. Defender Daniel Cunningham scored via the spot-kick in the 14^th minute before Ben Gough added Spirit FC?s second in the 59^th minute to earn a spot in the McDonald?s Cup Semi-Final.
Finally at Garside Park, State League One ?giant killers? Blacktown Spartans continued its fairytale run in the McDonald?s Cup after ousting a ten-man Super League Granville Rage side 3-1. Reece Iredale continued his good goalscoring form in the Cup as he opened the scoring in the 3^rd minute. The home side grabbed an equaliser in the 50^th minute via the spot-kick from Pasqualino Cappuccio but the Spartans flexed their muscles and showed why they have knocked out the likes of the Rockdale City Suns and Sydney United when Glenn McPherson notched up a brace to gift the away side a precious victory.
Full reports on all four matches are now online in the McDonald?s Cup section, click here to be directed.
Football NSW will conduct the official 2010 McDonald?s Cup Semi-Final draw very soon, stay tuned.
McDonald?s Cup Quarter Finals Results
Sutherland Sharks 0 v Blacktown City FC 2
Granville Rage 1 v Blacktown Spartans 3
Manly United 2 v Marconi Stallions 3
Spirit FC 2 v South Coast Wolves 0
-By Mark Stavroulakis