Bankstown Berries led the way as APIA Leichhardt Tigers, Blacktown City FC, Hills Brumbies, Hakoah Sydney City East and Sydney United 58 have marched into the FFA Cup Round of 32.
The Berries scored the upset of the round defeating historic PlayStation4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s side Sydney Olympic 1-0 at the Crest last night.
Coached by former Sydney Olympic youth player Perry Moustakas, the Berries, a division below Olympic, took it to Peter Zorbas’s men and got their reward in the 78th minute when 23-year-old Jake Bradshaw scored the winner that sent Berries fans into hysterics.
Proud layer/manager Moustakas said the result and passage to the Round of 32 was one of the biggest achievements the club has experienced in its history.
“I told the boys before the match that should they win this game, it would go down as one of the biggest results in the club’s history, they did just that and created some history of their own after the match thanks to that goal by Jake Bradshaw.
“I am very delighted for the team as we now await our fate on who we will face in June.”
The Berries join Sydney United 58 who won a straight passage into the round of 32 thanks to their PS4 NPL Finals Series victory over the Edgeworth Eagles last year.
The previous night also saw APIA Leichhardt Tigers defeat PlayStation4 National Premier Leagues 3 NSW Men’s side SD Raiders 2-1 in an epic battle at a packed Lambert Park.
The classic encounter took a twist after the SD Raiders took a first half lead via a John Fahmi spot-kick before Michael West scored a last second penalty to send the game into extra time.
The game was then destined for penalties before Paul Galimi popped up and scored with the last play of the game that sent the 1000 plus spectators wild.
It will be APIA Leichhardt Tigers’ first crack at the round of 32 much to the delight of club President Tony Raciti who stated to Football NSW was one of the club’s major objectives for this season along with clinching the Premiership and Championship.
On Wednesday, Illawarra Premier League side Bulli FC were outclassed by a quality Blacktown City outfit as Mark Crittenden’s men secured a 3-0 victory at Balls Paddock.
A double from in-form Mitchell Mallia, as well as a tidy finish by James Andrew, put the club among the big boys of the Australian game. Blacktown City will now compete in its fourth successive Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 match.
In the all PS4NPL NSW affair at Illinden Sports Centre, it was Hakoah Sydney City East who reigned supreme, knocking out Paul Reid’s Rockdale City Suns 3-1 after playing 50 minutes with 10 men due to an Oliver Green red card.
Gavin Rae’s men got off to a flyer with early goals from Jordan Mundell and Oliver Green with Andre De Jong adding a third in the 52nd minute. The Suns did bang in a consolation goal late in the second half but it was a case of being too little too late as Hakoah Sydney City East qualified for its second Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 after the side took part in the inaugural tournament in 2014.
Finally at Russell Reserve at Rouse Hill, newly promoted PS4NPL2 NSW outfit Hills Brumbies bamboozled Illawarra Premier League outfit Kemblawarra Dapto Fury FC 5-2 in a huge result for the Hills-based club winning its first entry to the Round of 32.
It was one way traffic for Dan Sheppard’s men as they took a commanding 4-0 victory prior to the break with goals from Greg Giovenali, Nikolas Dimitriadis, Peter Cejka and Nathan Rayner.
Victor Anymiba added a fifth in the 69th minute before the South Coast visitors added two late goals via Van Elia and Shane Murray however the night belonged to the Hills Brumbies.
The six clubs also won passage to the next stages of the Waratah Cup with an official live draw to be announced shortly. The draw for the FFA Cup Round of 32 will take place on June 29.
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