Amateur league Elizabeth Downs plots more FFA Cup SA heroics in semi-final clash with Adelaide City
Sunday amateur side Elizabeth Downs is looking to make more history when it meets three-time NSL champion Adelaide City in the FFA Cup SA semi-finals. But the giant-killing heroics are a far cry from the club’s humble origins.
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Tony Partridge recalls using a concertina door to create a makeshift changeroom in a small clubhouse when he helped establish Elizabeth Downs’ inaugural senior team in 1971.
Nearly half a century on, the Sunday amateur club would aim to extend its history-making run when it met three-time national champion Adelaide City in Tuesday’s FFA Cup SA semi-final.
“From where we were back then, to where we are now it’s chalk and cheese,” said Partridge, who played in the original team alongside Bernie Kenyon.
“We had a concertina door down the middle of the clubrooms, a changeroom on the other side and a hatch for serving food from the canteen.
“We were like the proverbial yoyo early on, going up and down (between the divisions), but now we’re firmly established and well ahead of some federation clubs.
“We always thought we were good enough to compete with federation clubs, now we get the chance to prove it.”
Downs became the first amateur side to progress to the last four of the statewide cup when it came back from a two-goal deficit to edge past top flight MetroStars on penalties last month.
It was a far cry from the humble beginnings at Argana Park, when Partridge and two other players from local rival Elizabeth Vale created a pathway for the club’s juniors to progress to.
Partridge, 72, said the loyal Downs fans, who turned in force for the quarter-final upset, were confident their side would create problems for the Black and Whites at the Parks (7pm).
“That penalty shootout win (over MetroStars) was absolutely magic — you couldn’t script it any better,” said the lifelong Downs supporter, who later served as the club’s bar manager.
“Adelaide City shouldn’t write us off too easily because you never know in a cup match.
“I don’t think you could explain it in words what it would do for the club and the northern area to get to the final.
“We’re not just flying the flag for the club, we’re doing it for the amateur league as well.”
Goalkeeper and co-captain Ben Aldridge was the hero against MetroStars, producing a string of brilliant saves during the 120 minutes and a crucial stop in the shootout.
The 12-year Downs veteran said his teammates were dreaming of progressing to the final and moving a step closer to representing SA in the national round-of-32.
“I’ve been around for a long time now and we’ve won championships and we’ve won (amateur) cups, but I’ve never seen so much hype,” the ex-Modbury Jets player said.
“This is why we play soccer, to represent your club on the big stage and to be part of this is what we train for and sacrifice our time for.
“I know a few of the boys are already mucking around saying ‘hopefully we get through, win the competition and maybe draw Wellington Phoenix away’.
“We’re buzzing for it and we’re looking forward to another massive test against Adelaide City.”
The six-time division one amateur champion had plundered 20 goals in four matches during its cup campaign.
It would face former NSL giant City, which was languishing in the National Premier Leagues SA relegation zone.
“No one thought other than ourselves that we were going to be good enough to get the result against MetroStars,” Aldridge, 34, said.
“But we know as a team and as a squad that on any given day we can match it with anyone when we play at our best.
“I keep saying to myself this is going to be my last year, but the way I’m playing I could maybe play a couple more years.
“I love the club and I love all the boys.”
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