Six teams book their Round 7 Preliminary Round Australia Cup tickets
It’s almost at the business end of the Hahn Australia Cup Preliminary rounds as Round 6 has seen a further six teams book their tickets to Round 7 of the knockout tournament with the winners progressing to the Round of 32.
National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW league leaders did it the hard way but overcame Illawarra Premier League side Bulli FC 2-1 at Balls Paddock on Tuesday. Club captain Marko Jesic scored the game’s first goal before Ben McDonald equalised for the hosts just before the half-time whistle blew. Julian Monge was the hero for the Stallions as the youngster got his just reward scoring midway through the second half that guided Marconi to the final stage of the Preliminary rounds.
It was an all-League Two Men’s affair at Garside Park as Granville Rage advanced to Round 7 thanks to a hard fought 2-1 win over Gladesville Ryde Magic. Nikita Andicopoulos scored early in the first half before Mendlenkosi Ndlovu equalised a couple of minutes later. It was Asmir Kadric’s goal in the 36th minute that separated the two sides as the Rage went on to record an important win.
League One Men’s high-flyers Northern Tigers made light work of Illawarra Premier League side Cringila Lions although they were given a slight scare. Jesse Spang banged in the first goal for the Tigers in the 24th minute before Lions striker Peter Simonoski equalised three minutes after the break. The Tigers then hit a different gear soon after that goal as Connor Rose, Koya Nakano and Alexander Brown etched their names on the scoresheet to push the Tigers one step closer to a round of 32 spot.
Sir Ian McLennan Oval saw Illawarra Premier League side Wollongong Olympic bow out to NPL Men’s NSW side Blacktown City 3-1. Shoji Mori sent a scare with an injury time goal that put the hosts in the lead but their lead was short-lived as Jak O’Brien, Travis Major and Keanu Moore all chimed in to record a good victory for Mark Crittenden’s troops.
Christie Park saw APIA Leichhardt FC end NWS Spirit FC’s Cup run with a commanding 4-1 win. Seiya Kambayashi got the party started for Franco Parisi’s men with the first goal before Joel Bertolissio scored the game’s second in the dying stages of the opening half. Spirit’s Japanese ace marksman Yu Okubo gave his side a glimmer of hope scoring after the break however Franco Farinella and Jordan Segreto had other ideas as they rounded up a big victory for APIA as they shot down Spirit ending their Cup dreams.
It was drama at Edensor Park as Sydney United 58 defeated Sydney Olympic 10-9 on penalties after the match ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw.
There are still two remaining matches to close out Round 6 with SD Raiders hosting Rockdale Ilinden at Ernie Smith Reserve on Tuesday 13th of May while on the same night Illawarra Premier League side Shellharbour FC tackle League One Men’s outfit Hills United at Barrack Heights Park.
Round 6 Hahn Australia Cup Preliminary Round Results
Bulli FC 1 v Marconi Stallions 2
Granville Rage 2 v Gladesville Ryde Magic 1
Cringila Lions 1 v Northern Tigers 4
Wollongong Olympic 1 v Blacktown City 3
NWS Spirit FC 1 v APIA Leichhardt FC 4
Sydney United 58 3 v Sydney Olympic 3 (United 58 win 10-9 on penalties)
Remaining Round 6 Hahn Australia Cup Preliminary Round Fixtures
Tuesday 13th May
7pm- SD Raiders v Rockdale Ilinden – Ernie Smith Reserve
7:30pm Shellharbour FC v Hills United – Barrack Heights Park
