Waratah Cup Round 3 Review

The big clash at Bonnyrigg Sports Centre saw current NSW Premier League leaders Sydney Olympic take on the White Eagles with the game finishing in the Blues favour 3-2.
Peter Tsekenis had Alex Smith, Tod Bamber and Ibrahim Haydar to thank as their three goals were enough to see off the White Eagles? strikes by Daniel Severino and Blake Powell to guide them through to the fourth round of the cup competition.
2010 Waratah Cup winners Marconi Stallions were bundled out of the prestigious tournament in a thrilling 3-2 loss to Super League side West Sydney Berries.
Former Berries striker Gosue Sama scored twice but the Berries had Steve Wright and a double by Ante Deur, one from the penalty spot, which sent the Super League side on their way to round 4 of the Cup.
Sydney United needed to go to extra time to defeat Super League side Sydney University after the game finished 1-1 after ninety minutes ? the Reds won 4-2 with two goals coming in extra time.
Sutherland Sharks faced a tricky tie away to Super League high flyers Granville Rage but the Shire squad put in a gritty performance to win 2-0.
Goals to Sam Awad and a penalty by Panny Nikas were enough to see the Sharks cruise through to the fourth round of the Cup competition.
Blacktown City FC advanced to the next stage of the Cup by defeating State League One side Fairfield Bulls 3-0 at Lily Homes Stadium.
Travis Major kick started proceedings as early as the first minute with a goal while Mitchell Duke in the 50^th and Bruno Pivato in the 60^th all but ended the Bulls? run in the Cup.
South Coast Wolves made the trek to Bensons Lane where they tackled State League Two side Hawkesbury City and were given an early scare when Paul Cooper scored first for the hosts in the 34^th minute.
Leading 1-0 into the break, Trevor Morgan?s men adjusted in the second half and scored four unanswered goals starting from Mark Picciolini in the 55^th a double by Cameron Littler and an own goal by Ethan Simone secured the Wolves passage to round four of the Cup.
State League Two side Chopin Park Rams almost caused a boilover at Super League side Fraser Park, taking the lead three times before finally succumbing 4-3 after extra time.

The second division outfit showed plenty of endeavour and took the game to their Super League opponents, taking the lead for the first time via the penalty spot, midway through the first half. Marko Kraljevic netted to give the Rams a surprise lead but only a minute later, Fred Umlil equalised, scoring through a crowded area.

But if Fraser Park thought they would take control from there, they were to be proved horribly wrong. Chopin Park took the lead again just after the restart, the pacy Nima Nikfarjam getting between defenders to lob the keeper. Carlos Villazon then got Fraser back on level terms for the second time, neatly turning his man before firing home.

Villazon almost had his second with a quarter of an hour to go but struck the post with force, in a good opportunity. Des Koroma also came close with a header as Fraser Park worked hard for the winner. But they couldn’t get the goal they needed and with extra time called, it was Chopin Park who took the lead yet again.  

Kraljevic got his second of the night to put the Rams up 3-2 and things looked ominous for Fraser. But a high lob from the sideline by Clive Delaney in the second period of extra time, sailed over the area, evading the keeper and into the net. A lucky escape perhaps.

With penalties looming, it was Koroma who was to save the night for Fraser Park, scoring into the top right with just five minutes to go.
In other matches, Mounties Wanderers defeated FC Gazy Lansvale 2-0 goals coming from Reece Iredale and Greg Baldock, Bankstown City defeated Schofields Scorpions 1-0, Macarthur Rams defeated Fairfield City Lions 2-1, APIA Leichhardt Tigers thrashed Fairfield Wanderers 5-0, State League two side Northbridge FC scored a huge 7-4 win over Mt Druitt Town Rangers, Blacktown Spartans ended Illawarra Premier League side Port Kembla?s run in the cup with a 3-1 win while Super League side Hills Brumbies knocked out NSW Premier League side Rockdale City Suns with a  3-1 victory.

Two matches remain in concluding Round 3 of the Waratah Cup on Wednesday 25^th of May as St George FC take on Parramatta Eagles at St George Stadium while Manly United tackle Dandaloo FC at Cromer Park.
After these two matches are completed the official draw for Round 4 of the Cup will take place at Football NSW headquarters on Thursday 26^th May.
Round 3 Waratah Cup Results
Fraser Park 2 v Chopin Park Rams 2 (4-3 after extra time)
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 2 v Sydney Olympic FC 3
Mounties Wanderers 2 v FC Gazy Lansvale 0
Blacktown City FC 3 v Fairfield Bulls 0
Sydney United 1 v Sydney University 1 (4-2 in extra-time)
Bankstown City FC 1 v Schofields Scorpions 0
Mt Druitt Town Rangers 4 v Northbridge FC 7
Macarthur Rams 2 v Fairfield City Lions 1
Marconi Stallions 2 v West Sydney Berries 3
APIA Leichhardt Tigers 5 v Fairfield Wanderers 0  
Blacktown Spartans 3 v Port Kembla 1
Hills Brumbies 3 v Rockdale City Suns 1
Hawkesbury City FC 1 v South Coast Wolves 4
Granville Rage 0 v Sutherland Sharks 2
Round 3 Waratah Cup Fixtures
St George FC v Parramatta Eagles Wednesday 25th May 7:30pm St. George Stadium
Manly United v Dandaloo FC Wednesday 25th May 7:30pm Cromer Park
-Football NSW Press Release