Dee Why FC trump Balmain Tigers in FFA Cup boilover
There were jubilant scenes at Dee Why Park on Thursday night as association club Dee Why FC pulled off a monumental 1-0 upset victory over State League side Balmain Tigers in Round 3 of the FFA Cup.
In what was a tense contest, the hosts grew into the match to eventually dominate their higher-tier opposition.
However despite the raft of chances they engineered, some poor finishing meant that no decisive blow was struck until the match reached its final ten minutes.
They were made to wait, but the healthy Northern Beaches crowd were sent into raptures as Dee Why’s Spanish Striker Vicente Bosch found the top right corner with a precise free kick.
The Swans’ new recruit etched himself into club history, scoring the first goal in a competitive game under Dee Why Park’s newly-constructed floodlights.
Dee Why Head Coach Ryan Doidge was understandably ecstatic on a memorable night for the Manly Warringah Football Association Premier League outfit.
“I’m very proud of the boys,” he said.
“We came here today, our first game under the new floodlights, and set up with a game plan which they delivered.
“It was one, but I think for me it could have been three or four; it was awesome to get a clean sheet as well.
Doidge, while remaining grounded, is relishing the possibility of more glamour fixtures in the FFA Cup this season.
“This is what FFA Cup nights are about,” he said.
“We can dream but we’ll have to just see who we come up against next.
“We will enjoy tonight but we move on to an important game on the weekend (against Belrose-Terry Hills Raiders in the MWFA Cup) and hopefully the draw’s kind to us in the next round.”
He also had a special message for the club’s strong gathering of supporters:
“They (the crowd) were superb. That’s what it’s about.
“We’re a local community club and the whole community were down here tonight cheering us on.
“Massive thanks to them, we couldn’t have done it without them.
“They were our 12th man tonight.”
The draw for Round 4 of the FFA Cup is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 2nd of April, with Dee Why joining 79 other remaining clubs vying for one of Football NSW’s five allocated slots in the tournament’s Round of 32.
By Football NSW Reporter Chris Curulli (@ChrisCurulli)
