Berries mania hits the Westfield FFA Cup
As referee Lachlan Keevers blew the full-time whistle on a cold and windy Wednesday evening at Jensen Park in Sefton, one team rose up against the odds in securing an unbelievable passage to the Westfield FFA Cup Round of 16 as PlayStation4 National Premier Leagues 2 outfit Bankstown Berries took care of South Australian hotshots MetroStars 2-1.
One player in particular epitomized what it meant for the entire club and led by example; Captain inspiration and coach Perry Moustakas.
At 34, the no nonsense tackling footballer who spent a number of seasons playing top flight football in the Cypriot First Division was buzzing with joy as his troops pulled together one of the upsets of the Westfield FFA Cup already downing Robbie Saraceno’s squad that boosted the likes of former Adelaide United star Fabian Barbiero and ex-Australian youth international Adam Van Dommele.
The heroics of the oldest club in Australia proved vital as each player played a pivotal in the success of the team’s memorable victory but one player that stood bright was their fearless leader Moustakas.
He was everywhere.
“I am speechless but what a massive result for the club.
“We didn’t have much time to prepare for this match due to a back log of matches but I did see a bit of footage of the MetroStars and I knew it was going to be a very tough game against quality opposition.
“To be honest we had to ride our luck especially with the quality they but after the first twenty minutes we got into the game and made it very hard for them and I couldn’t be prouder of the boys.”
The traditional centre back has now reverted to playing as a deep striker or number ten was everywhere and was the central figure in the Berries’ huge win as well as being amongst the goals as he scored his side’s second in the 47th minute in what proved to be the winner after Jake Bradshaw opened the scoring in the 17th minute.
“For me it was a special day as I spent most of my time as a footballer playing abroad, so I never got that opportunity in playing in front of cameras in the country of my birth.
“But it was extra special as scoring that goal meant so much for the players, the club and myself and will be something I’ll never forget.
“It’s a massive result for the club and to be able to play a role in writing a piece of history by securing a spot in the Round of 16 for the Westfield FFA Cup is something our boys will never forget.”
With a couple of matches still to play in the PS4 NPL 2 NSW Men’s competition as well as the objective of winning as many games for the club to avoid relegation via the Club Championship, Moustakas is also dreaming of an interstate date with destiny or facing a Hyundai A-League side when the Round of 16 draw kicks off.
“It be nice to go interstate but for me on a personal note I would love to play a A-League team as I never got the chance to play against the elite teams in our top tier and I would love to test myself at that.
“In saying that, anything that comes our way we will be over the moon, we just want to enjoy this moment as a club and continue to build on what is an exciting journey for all of us players.”