Round 7 FFA Cup Preliminary Fixtures announced

Brace yourselves as Wednesday 30^th of May will be D-Day for ten NSW clubs hoping to be one of five teams celebrating at the final whistle with each winner representing the state at the 2018 FFA Cup Round of 32.

It’s been a long journey for a number of these teams, none more so than the Football South Coast’s Tarrawanna Blueys.

Having commenced its FFA Cup journey way back on the 18^th of March when they defeated Sydney North West FC 5-1 in round 3, the club has gone from strength to strength claiming victories over the Macarthur Rams 2-0 in round 4, UNSW on penalties in round 5 and recently defeating the Kirrawee Kangaroos 2-1 to reach Round 7 of the Preliminary stages of the Cup.

Blueys coach and former Leeds United footballer Peter Willis will see his chargers take on NPL NSW Men’s outfit Hakoah Sydney City East in a cracking match down South.

The visitors Hakoah, coached by Scottish legend Gavin Rae, will know that they need to be at their very best to avoid what would be one of the biggest upsets in the Cup’s history. Should the Blueys advance to the round of 32, it will be the first association club from across the country to earn such an honour.

Elsewhere, a top of the NPL NSW Men’s table clash will feature two of the most in-form teams of the league as high flyers Sydney Olympic take on the APIA Leichhardt Tigers at home. It will be unfortunate to see one of these teams knocked out of the round of 32 race but one things for sure, this match has entertainment written all over it. It will be Abbas Saad’s hungry stars such as Spanish sensation Alejandro Sanchez, Max Burgess, Will Angel, Jason Madonis and co go toe to toe with Billy McColl’s sharpshooters such as goalscoring freak Jordan Murray, Tasuku Sekiya, Corey Biczo and 2017 Gold Medal winner Sean Symons.

The evenings other all NPL NSW Men’s affair will feature the Rockdale City Suns entertain Blacktown City in a crunch match for both clubs.

Since the inception of the FFA Cup in 2014, Blacktown City has featured in every Round of 32 stage and should they defeat the Suns on Wednesday, will only add a further tick to the clubs growing list of honours as being of NSW’s proudest NPL clubs.

Bonnyrigg White Eagles will have to step up a gear when they face NPL 2 NSW Men’s outfit Hills United. After being pushed to the edge by NPL 3 Men’s side St George City in round 6 thanks to a Ray Miller goal in the 113^th minute, Brian Brown’s men face a tricky tie against a tough opponent in Hills who qualified for the round of 32 stage last year.

Finally, NPL 2 NSW Men’s side GHFA Spirit FC hope that they can put its current league woes behind them by shocking NPL NSW Men’s side Marconi Stallions in Sydney’s South West.

FFA Cup Round 7 Preliminary Fixtures

Sydney Olympic v APIA Leichhardt Tigers – Belmore Sports Ground – 7:30pm

Tarrawanna Blueys v Hakoah Sydney City East – Hooka Creek Park – 7:30pm

Hills United v Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC – Valentine Sports Park 2 – 7:30pm

Rockdale City Suns v Blacktown City – Illinden Sports Centre – 7:30pm

Marconi Stallions v GHFA Spirit – Marconi Stadium – 7:30pm

Previous FFA Cup Round of 32 Football NSW Entrants:

2014

• Sydney United 58
• Manly United
• Parramatta FC
• Blacktown City
• Sydney Olympic
• Wollongong Wolves
• Hakoah Sydney City East

2015

• Sydney United 58
• Balmain Tigers
• Blacktown City
• Sydney Olympic
• Rockdale City Suns

2016

• Sydney United 58
• Wollongong Wolves
• Manly United
• Bonnyrigg White Eagles
• Marconi Stallions
• Blacktown City

2017

• Sydney United 58
• Bankstown Berries
• APIA Leichhardt Tigers
• Hakoah Sydney City East
• Hills United
• Blacktown City

*Football NSW Media Release