Matty Lewis embracing FFA Cup reunion against the Mariners
Blacktown City FC’s legendary skipper Matt Lewis still remembers the club’s heroic 3-2 FFA Cup Round of 32 victory against the Central Coast Mariners in 2017.
Leading his beloved City out onto a packed Lily Homes Stadium, it was a moment he and his teammates as well as the proud club will live long in their memories as one of the biggest achievements the Western Sydney side has seen.
Fast forward to 2021 and the tides have once again pitted the two to face off in identical circumstances with this match being new Mariners coach Nick Montgomery’s first assignment and a hard one at that in facing one of the NPL NSW Men’s toughest outfits.
“On a personal level I am very excited to have the opportunity to test ourselves against an A-League side once again in the Mariners,” said Lewis.
“The boys were buzzing last night in the group chat.
“I was just happy to get a game against a team that’s not in our NPL competition as I feel that’s the whole purpose of the FFA Cup, so it was a great result and relief in that sense.
“For the club obviously it’ll be a big night too and hopefully with restrictions taken away fingers crossed, we can attract a large crowd at Lily Homes Stadium as we have in the past against A-League opposition which is always a big help for any NPL club.
“We did get up against them 3-2 in 2017 in our FFA Cup run which is something I’ll never forget and was one of my proudest memories as captain of Blacktown City. The buzz around the place at the time was unreal as we ended up taking on the Western Sydney Wanderers to penalties in the quarter final that same year and it felt like we could have beaten anyone.
“This year has been a great one so far for us, we’ve got a really good squad of boys that I’d back against anyone and obviously would love nothing more than for history to repeat itself.”
Strong words from the 320 plus gamer for the one club who always plays with his heart on his sleeve.
Central Coast Mariners underestimate Blacktown City at your peril as we all await to hear the club’s famous walkout song, AC/DC’s ‘Back in Black’ bellow out of the Lily Homes Stadium speakers in what will be a massive evening for Mark Crittenden’s men.
Spare a thought for the club’s influential Team Manager and ‘Mr Blacktown City” himself Graham Crawhall who will also be buzzing from ear to ear seeing this massive fixture unfold of his beloved side.
The #MagicOfTheCup in all its glory right here.
