Unley Old Scholars gunning for FFA Cup shock

UNLEY Old Scholars hopes to become soccer’s latest giant-killer when it lines up for Saturday’s FFA Cup first qualifying round.

26/3/2015 pic today at Hindmarsh Stadium with the FFA cup Trophy are Unley Ranger players( L-R) Shaun Smith ,31 Trott Park, Matt Mays,27, Toorak Gardens and Phil Welsh ,21,Unley Park The first round of the FFA Cup soccer qualifying will be played on the Easter long weekend. Local amateur club Unley Old Scholars is the lowest ranked team in the competition and have the chance to play SA Premier League or even A-League clubs in later rounds.....PHOTO DAVE CRONIN

UNLEY Old Scholars hopes to become soccer’s latest giant-killer when it lines up for Saturday’s FFA Cup first qualifying round.

The Collegiate League club is the lowest ranked SA side in the competition, which doubles as a feeder for the national knockout cup.

Rangers president Daniel Porter said the chance to make cup history encouraged the Netherby club to enter.

“Through football movies and the FA Cup in England, we all know about the Sunday pub team who come up against Manchester United and that’s everyone’s dream,” Porter said.

“Having a crack at the big boys was something that really appealed to the players, as well as the romanticism of being the giant-killers.

“Even playing the likes of Adelaide City or MetroStars would be a real honour, so playing an A-League team (in future rounds) would be incredible.”

Unley, which plays in the top tier of Football Federation SA’s amateur competition, will travel to the Riverland to meet Barmera United in the first round.

While admitting he knew little of their opponents, Porter said the road trip added an element of adventure for players and fans.

“We’ll go up as a bit of a convoy of cars because we’ve got quite a few supporters that want to come up as well,” he said.

“If we have a win, we might stay up there on the Saturday night and party.”

The winner of the SA competition will qualify for the FFA Cup round of 32 along with A-League and state league clubs from across the country.

Rangers central midfielder Shaun Smith said last year’s cup exploits of Adelaide City, which knocked out Western Sydney Wanderers on its way to the quarter-finals, showed anything was possible.

“It’s daunting for a team like us who pays for the privilege of playing to go up against teams whose players are paid and train four times a week,” Smith, 32, said.

“But we have the potential to pull off a shock because we have a lot of talented young lads who want to prove themselves.

“The advantage is we have nothing to lose, so we’ll throw everything into it and see what happens.”

FFA Cup - first qualifying round

MetroStars v International (Mount Gambier)

Campbelltown City v West Adelaide

White City v West Torrens Birkalla

Barmera United v Unley Old Scholars

Pirates v Adelaide Blue Eagles

South Adelaide v Renmark Olympic

Eastern United v Modbury

Adelaide Olympic v Adelaide Comets

Adelaide Cobras v Adelaide Victory

Playford City v Sturt Lions

Cove v Croydon

Apollo (Mount Gambier) v Cumberland United

Adelaide City v Western Strikers

Byes: Raiders, Para Hills, Salisbury United