FFA Cup challenge ready for Bonnyrigg and Manly
Familiar foes are set to lock horns as Bonnyrigg White Eagles face Manly United in the Round of 32 of the Westfield FFA Cup.
Regardless of what happens next, 2016 has been a year of massive strides forward for Manly United.
The same, however, cannot be said for their Westfield FFA Cup round of 32 opponents Bonnyrigg White Eagles.
The 2015 PS4 National Premier Leagues New South Wales Men’s champions will need a strong run home to avoid a finish outside of the finals, while Manly have moved from being mid-table battlers to Premiership contenders and Waratah Cup finalists.
Manly went down 1-0 in the final against Sydney United 58 FC and club star Brendan Cholakian said he and his team-mates were chomping at the bit to get back to winning ways in cup football, particularly with a potential shot at A-League opposition waiting in the next round.
“I think we have shown how far we have come this season,” Cholakian said.
“We missed out on playing in the national rounds last year, so it’s good to be back. The hype around this competition has been huge and now we want to get to the next stage and hopefully get an A-League team.”
But first, Cholakian and Co. need to get past the White Eagles – a side he knows will not be easy beats regardless of their league struggles this season.
“We are quietly confident, we’ve been playing good football,” Cholakian said.
“But you always get a tough game against Bonnyrigg, especially when you’re travelling there and their pitch is never amazing at this time of year so it can be hard to play good, free-flowing football.”
But with the recent addition of Shane Cansdell-Sherriff, who has spent most of his career in England’s third tier, Cholakian said there is no shortage of cup experience, with the well-travelled centre-back having picked up plenty of FA Cup experience while in England.
“He has not really spoken about it in the dressing room, but you can just tell from his presence that he has a calm head and he is ready for these big games.”
Not that Bonnyrigg are short on big-game players.
Robbie Younis has been a key cog in the club’s recent success in recent years and while he admits he has been disappointed with his and the team’s form this season, he sees the FFA Cup as a great shot at redemption.
“We haven’t played this stage of the FFA Cup yet, so it’s an exciting time,” the former Adelaide United man said.
“It has been a disappointing season for me personally and the team and the club as a whole, and it’s the first time in five years at this club we’ve been outside the top six really.
“Hopefully we can do well in the cup and change that. For us, we want to secure a top-five finish in the league and kick on in the FFA Cup because it’s an exciting opportunity.
“I know we have some younger boys who would love to progress and get an A-League club in the next round so they can really gauge where they are at in their careers.”
Match Details
Wednesday 3rd August
Bonnyrigg White Eagles v Manly United
Bonnyrigg Sports Centre
#BWEvMAN
