FFA Cup Round 4 Update: Manly United survive major scare, UTS FC cause major upset
Round 4 of the Preliminary round of FFA Cup matches took place on Tuesday evening as eleven matches were played overnight across NSW.
At Arncliffe Park in front of a healthy and vocal crowd, Football St George outfit Arncliffe Aurora gave NPL NSW Men’s top tier side Manly United an all-mighty scare as Adam Griffiths men prevailed albeit via an unfortunate own-goal from Hussein Jaafar in the 86th minute for a narrow 1-0 victory.
Melita Stadium played host to a thriller as NPL 4 NSW Men’s side Parramatta FC scored an upset 3-2 win over NPL 3 NSW Men’s side Dulwich Hill thanks to a hattrick from Clement Ebahece Waoci.
It was one-way traffic at Ison Park as NWS Spirit FC made the trek down South where they dismantled Shoalhaven United FC 11-0. Doubles from Ahmed Sweedan, Michael Konestabo, Edward Lee and Anthony Vastag as well as goals from Narveen Richardson, Jose Teal-Meson and an own goal assured the NPL 2 NSW Men’s side’s comfortable passage to the next round.
Charles Bean Oval was the scene of a huge result as Northern Suburbs FA side UTS FC knocked out NPL 4 NSW Men’s club Camden Tigers 1-0. It was a huge result from UTS FC who fielded a familiar face in Amazing Race contestant and former Blacktown City and Mt Druitt Town Rangers striker Osadolor Edosomwan.
The all NPL 2 NSW Men’s battle was on the menu at Valentine Sports Park as Hills United took on cross-town rivals Blacktown Spartans. It was the Spartans who got up thanks to goals from Mark Cindric and Michael Jeffrey as their strikes cancelled Jordan Parfait’s pushing them to a 2-1 win.
Berowra Oval saw Illawarra Premier League outfit Wollongong Olympic defeat Northern Suburbs FA side Berowra FC 2-1. First half goals to Josh Hawker and Tory Musemeci were the difference even though Jake Harris struck in the 70th minute for the hosts setting up a grandstand finish, but it wasn’t to be, as the boys from the ‘Gong went home happy with a round 5 spot.
A five-goal thriller was on display at Macedonia Park as Wollongong United defeated NPL 2 NSW Men’s side SD Raiders 3-2. Nick Carle’s men looked like they did enough to secure a spot in the next stage of the FFA Cup as Matthew Barkho and Anthony Proia struck, giving the visitors a two-goal cushion. Wollongong United’s Japanese star import Mitsuo Yamada turned up the volume bagging a brace before Zac McLaren scored the winning goal sending the home fans into raptures with a famous win.
Nick Dimovski’s Sutherland Sharks squad made light work of their NPL 4 NSW Men’s counterparts South Coast Flame running riot with a 7-1 result. Jeremy Cox was “the man” with four goals while Patrick Scibilio grabbed a double and Jonathan Grozdanovski also got on the scoresheet recording an easy win for the NPL NSW Men’s top tier side.
NPL 3 NSW Men’s side Canterbury Bankstown also eased into round 5 of the FFA Cup after a convincing 5-0 victory over Football St George outfit Carlton Rovers. Goals from Shaqil Ali, Abdul Zahra, Chris Katsaros, Leandro Guzman and Michale Trajkovski did the trick in a good night for the visitors at Harold Fraser Oval.
In the final two matches of the opening round 4 evening, Eastern Suburbs FA side Glebe Gorillas defeated Blacktown FA side Marayong 2-0 while the lights went out at Melwood Oval as the scores were locked 3-3 between Forest Killarney v Unanderra Hearts FC. A decision on the outcome of this match will be determined via Football NSW in due course.
A handful of round 4 matches will take shape tonight (Wednesday 14th April) as well as well as the 20th and 21st of April to complete the round – Click here to view these fixtures
Main Photo Credit: Jackson Dwyer
