Round 6 Preview – Westfield FFA Cup
After a multitude of fixtures, a glut of goals, and its fair share of upsets, the Westfield FFA Cup is moving closer and closer to the business end of the tournament as we take some time out to preview Round Six.
Round Six will comprise ten fixtures, where the twenty teams will be whittled down to just ten, some no doubt requiring extra time and penalties to sort themselves out.
Round Seven will then obviously provide five fixtures, with the five winners of these matches joining Sydney United 58 FC as this year’s entrants into the main draw of 32 of the 2017 Westfield FFA Cup.
So for most teams, they are possibly 180 minutes away from a berth in one of the showpiece events of the Australian football calendar.
Whilst the opponents and details of seven of the ten scheduled Round Six matches have been finalised, the remaining three are yet to be sorted due to three outstanding Round Five matches which are scheduled to be played the week beginning May 8.
Fraser Park has been setting the PlayStation NPL 3 competition alight this season, currently second on the ladder and undefeated. Fraser have reached this stage of the Cup by winning three games – two of those against teams from higher leagues. Co-coached by the Culina’s – Branko, along with sons, Jason and Dean – Fraser Park knocked out PlayStation NPL 2 side, Spirit FC, 1-0 in Round Four, and then defeated PlayStation NPL NSW Men’s outfit Sutherland Sharks 4-1 to reach Round Six.
Fraser Park’s opponents are yet to be decided, and will come from the victors of the Kemblawarra Fury–Camden Tigers Round Five battle, due to be played on Tuesday, May 9 at Ron Dine Reserve.
Bankstown Berries from the PlayStation NPL 2 are another side who are waiting for their opponent, and that will come from the match between Dulwich Hill (PlayStation NPL 3) and Winston Hills, who will clash at Fraser Park on Wednesday, May 10. Winston Hills play their football in the Hills Football Association, and are one of two remaining local Association sides remaining in the tournament, keen no doubt to spring an upset against their more fancied opponents.
The other local Association side still remaining in the Westfield FFA Cup is Waverley Old Boys, who come from the Eastern Suburbs Football Association. They will take on Albion Park White Eagles, who are currently in 9th position in the Illawarra Premier League, in an outstanding Round Five match at Valentine Sports Park No.2 on Wednesday, May 10th, with the winner progressing to meet PlayStation NPL NSW Men’s side, Hakoah Sydney City East, in Round Six, at a venue and date yet to be decided.
An intriguing clash will be taking place at Cook Park, St Marys, kicking off at 7-45pm on Tuesday, May 9. Nepean FC are the sole survivors from the NSW State League competition, having beaten Padstow United (11-2), Hawkesbury City SC (2-1) and North Shore Mariners (6-1) to reach this stage, with the latter two results especially impressive being against teams that play in leagues above them.
Their opponents will be Bulli FC, who are currently sitting at the summit of the Illawarra Premier League, and they will no doubt be hoping to bring their excellent league form in to these latter stages of the Cup.
In what looms as a derby of the West of sorts, Blacktown City will host Mt Druitt Town Rangers on Wednesday, May 10, the match at Lily Homes Stadium kicking off at 7-15pm.
Blacktown City are currently undefeated leaders of the PlayStation NPL NSW Men’s competition, and even though they are familiar with these stages of the Cup given their performances in recent seasons, they will be wary of the banana skin that presents itself in the form of their opponents.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers have had a solid start to their league campaign and sit in 4th spot of a very competitive PlayStation NPL 2 competition, having reached this round without too much fuss, so will go in to the match as clear underdogs, but confident of springing a surprise.
In one of two all PlayStation NPL NSW Men’s fixtures, Sydney Olympic will host Parramatta FC at Belmore Sports Ground on Wednesday, May 10, at 7-30pm.
The two sides will know each well given they played just over a month ago on April 2 at Melita Stadium, with the clash finishing all square after a 0-0 draw. Both teams will be keen to continue their run this season, so don’t be surprised if extra time is required to sort them out as Round Seven beckons.
The other all PlayStation NPL NSW Men’s fixture is also due to be played on Wednesday, May 10, at 7-45pm, with Bonnyrigg White Eagles hosting APIA Leichhardt Tigers at Bonnyrigg Sports Centre.
These two sides also did battle on April 2 in the PlayStation NPL NSW Men’s competition, with APIA Leichhardt Tigers winning easily by 4-0 at Lambert Park. But Bonnyrigg White Eagles got a taste of the Westfield FFA Cup main draw last season, and will no doubt be looking for a victory against the Tigers in front of their home fans so they can progress towards another ‘Round of 32’ appearance later in the season.
Illawarra Premier League side, Wollongong United, will host Hills Brumbies, at Hooka Creek Park on Wednesday, May 10. United have made a habit of progressing towards the latter stages of the competition in recent seasons, and will be keen to continue that trend at the expense of Hills from the PlayStation NPL 2, but they’ll have to be wary of the attacking prowess of the Brumbies, who have scored 14 goals in their two Cup fixtures thus far.
SD Raiders will entertain Mounties Wanderers on Wednesday, May 17, at 7-30pm, having won three matches to reach this stage of the Cup. The Raiders have knocked out Balmain Tigers (5-1), Quakers Hill Juniors (8-0), before picking up the prized scalp of PlayStation NPL 2 side, St George FC, whom they beat 3-2 in Round Five.
Lee Sterrey’s Mounties Wanderers have beaten two local Association sides in their passage in to Round Six, so will need to up the ante if they are to proceed into Round Seven and further in this year’s tournament.
Round Six finishes off with one of the more interesting clashes of this stage, with Rockdale City Suns meeting Marconi Stallions at Ilinden Sports Centre on Wednesday, May 17, at 7-30pm.
Both teams are having excellent seasons in their respective leagues, with Rockdale City Suns in 2nd place in the PlayStation NPL NSW Men’s competition, whilst Marconi Stallions lead the way in the PlayStation NPL 2 and look good bets for promotion at the end of the current season.
Both sides have had relatively easy victories to reach this stage, and whilst Rockdale have managed 4 goals in each of their two games, Marconi have scored 8 in both of their triumphs – not surprising given the attacking weapons on each club’s roster.
With players from both sides facing off against their old clubs, and with a spot in Round Seven at stake, expect plenty of intensity and goal mouth action when these two heavyweights come face to face next week.
Details of the Westfield FFA Cup Round 6 fixtures can be found by clicking here
