McDonald’s Cup Round 3 Draw includes Premier League teams

Round 3 of the prestigious McDonald's Cup draw was announced at Football NSW headquarters on Thursday morning as sixteen hugely anticipated matches were sanctioned to be played next Tuesday and Wednesday with the introduction of all NSW Premier League sides.

Apart from the twelve NSW Premier League teams a total of six Super League sides, eight State League One sides, one State League Two side, four Association clubs and one Illawarra Premier League side are currently in the hunt in progressing further into the tournament.

It will be an all NSW Premier League affair as current high flyers Marconi Stallions host the West Sydney Berries who recently appointed Steve Karavatakis as the new head coach for the remainder of the season. Lee Sterrey's Stallions could well blood more exciting youngsters while the Berries will be hoping to put their dismal year aside in the hope of progressing into the latter stages of this tournament.

At Bonnryigg the White Eagles have been pitted against fellow NSW Premier League side South Coast Wolves with Brian 'Bomber' Brown's squad hoping that they can continue their good run of form this season. The club has invested well prior to the season commencing and one of their aims was to lift as many trophies as possible with the McDonald's Cup being one of them. Progressing into the next stage will by no means be an easy task as the Wolves have proved to be a handful this season under the leadership of Trevor Morgan.

It will be a local derby at Cromer Park as NSW Premier League side Manly United host Manly Association's Collaroy Cromer Strikers. The Association side will be going all out in hoping to create a stir with overhauling one of the big guns of the McDonald's Cup tournament in what should be fantastic affair at the Northern Beaches. The Strikers defeated Super League side Central Coast Lightning 4-2 in their round 2 clash and the players are hoping that they can find that same form against Phil Moss' men.

2009 Cup and Premier League champions Sutherland Sharks face an away match against Super League outfit St George FC at St George Stadium. Robbie Stanton's men have slowly found their rhythm in the Premier League but will have their work cut out against Nick Orlic's St George side. Orlic's men will be no slouches however as they currently find themselves as finals series contenders in the Super League.

Newly rejuvenated NSW Premier League side A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers make the trek to the Northern Beaches when they face Manly Association side Mosman. The Tigers' opponents were in a rampant mood during round 2 of the McDonald's Cup which saw them grab huge headlines after smashing Super League side Mt Druitt Town Rangers 5-0 away from home.

2009 Illawarra Premier League Champions Dandaloo will also face a tough task down the South Coast when they tackle current State League One high flyers Hills Brumbies. Dandaloo progressed to round 3 after defeating State League Two side Roosters FC 4-1 with goals to Paul Harries, Chris Jackson, David Reid and Sam Munro and no doubt will all be on call for doing much of the same in edging closer to a round 16 spot. Coached by Peter Beggs 'Dandy' will be in full voice as they take on the might of the Brumbies.

State League One side Inter Lions have the arduous task of knocking off 2009 NSW Premier League Premiers Sydney United at Sydney United Sports Centre with David Zdrilic's men stating prior to the season that the club's priority has been to win every competition this year.

There will be an Association side in the round of 16 as an-all Association affair will take place at Glendenning Reserve when Blacktown Association's Doonside Hawks tackle Sutherland Association's Gwawley Bay.

In other matches Mounties Wanderers take on Sydney University, Spirit FC face Camden Tigers, Parramatta Eagles take on Fairfield City Lions, Granville Rage take on Sydney Olympic, Hawkesbury City face the Northern Tigers, Blacktown City FC tackle Stanmore Hawks, Bankstown City FC face Schofields Scorpions while the Blacktown Spartans take on Rockdale City Suns.

To view the entire round 3 draw details click here

McDonald's Cup Round 3 Draw

Mounties Wanderers (SL1) v Sydney University (SL)

Spirit FC (SL) v Camden Tigers (SL1)

Parramatta Eagles (SL) v Fairfield City Lions (SL1)

Manly United FC (NPL) v Collaroy Cromer Strikers (Assoc)

Marconi Stallions (NPL) v West Sydney Berries (NPL)

Granville Rage (SL) v Sydney Olympic (NPL)

Hawkesbury City (SL2) v Northern Tigers (SL)

Blacktown City FC (NPL) v Stanmore Hawks (SL1)

Mosman (Assoc) v APIA Leichhardt Tigers (NPL)

Doonside Hawks (Assoc) v Gwawley Bay (Assoc)