Australia Cup: Shock results, goal-fests and stand out players from Football NSW round four matches
NPL NSW teams have entered the Australia Cup, producing some surprising results against local clubs. Check out all the results and highlights from round four.
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Round four of the NSW Australia Cup matches are in the books featuring some expected results and surprise upsets.
The fourth phase of the NSW qualification featured seven League Two teams, 12 League One teams, 32 association teams and the addition this round of 13 NPL NSW teams, all vying for a coveted round of 32 finals spot.
Football South Coast side Coniston FC produced the first major upset, downing round of 32 regulars Mt Druitt Down 5-1 in front of a hostile crowd to progress to the next round. Jarvis Paterson and Kade Kinsella starred for Wollongong Olympic in their 7-0 drubbing of Yagoona Lions, each recording a hat-trick.
Check out all the results from round four of the Australia Cup.
SD Raiders FC (FNSW League One) defeated Hurlstone Park Wanderers (Football Canterbury) 7-2
The 7-2 scoreline was anything but a simple win for the Raiders, who took down Hurlstone Park Wanderers away from home to secure a round five berth.
The match was turned on its head just minutes in with the Raiders’ Nick Kambouris sent to the sheds for a foul in the box, handing the Wanderers a penalty which was expertly converted by Matteo Pandolfo.
But even a man down the Raiders showed their class as Jairo Torne Fernandez scored a brace before halftime, with Thomas Santarossa recording the first of his two goals to give the side a 3-1 advantage.
The second half was all Raiders as Brayden McPherson, Santarossa, Fidel Hawke and Tanakorn Rugsat blowing out the score to 7-1.
Frank Calcagno secured a consolation goal for the Wanderers just before the end of regulation.
Blacktown Spartans FC (FNSW League One) defeated Bankstown City FC (FNSW League One) 2-1
Bankstown sits just ahead of the Spartans on the League One ladder, but it was the latter who secured progression to round five of the Cup with a 2-1 win.
The Spartans gifted Bankstown a goal midway through the first half, with Paolo Bonanni putting the ball in his own net for Bankstown to lead 1-0.
Spartans skipper Peter Pelekanos secured the equaliser just before the break, setting up an exciting second half.
Blake Ilitch scored the winner for the Spartans, who go on to face Dunbar Rovers in round five.
Wollongong Olympic FC (Football South Coast) defeated Yagoona Lions FC (Bankstown District Soccer Football Association) 7-0
Individual hat-tricks from Jarvis Paterson and Kade Kinsella made Olympic’s 7-0 demolition of Yagoona Lions look easy.
Paterson opened the scoring just three minutes in, scoring his second late in the half with captain Chris Price getting his own goal just a minute before.
Kinsella came on at half time, with all three of his goals coming within 30 minutes of each other.
Hills United FC (NPL NSW) defeated Waverly Old Boys (Eastern Suburbs Football) 4-2
Although the scoreline suggests a dominant Hills victory, the Old Boys were gutsy in defeat.
Hills wasted no time in scoring the first goal with Waverley facing an uphill battle less than 10 minutes into the match.
Jack Seccombe found an equaliser before the Old Boys went down 2-1 again, but Seccombe was once again the hero, converting from the spot for a 2-2 deadlock at the break.
From there it was all Hills, scoring another two goals to go over 4-2.
Marconi Stallions FC (NPL NSW) defeated UNSW FC (FNSW League One) 3-2
The Stallions took the more difficult route to make it to round five, overcoming UNSW FC by just one goal in a tight contest.
The Stallions had a narrow one goal lead at the break but UNSW brought it back level and kept the match alive.
However the Stallions weren’t to be denied, recording two more goals to secure progression in the Cup.
Dunbar Rovers FC (FNSW League One) defeated St George FC (NPL NSW) 2-1
Dunbar Rovers produced one of the most surprising results of the round as the League One side took down NPL NSW club St George FC 2-1.
The Rovers were definitely the underdogs heading into the found four clash, sitting in 15th on the League One ladder with just one win so far this season.
But the Rovers were dominant over St George, taking the lead from a Reece Berelowitz goal midway through the first half before substitute Sam Tzanakes doubled it with 10 minutes to go.
Sebastian Cerecedo secured a consolation goal for St George in stoppage time but the Rovers will be moving onto round five.
Emu Plains FC (Nepean Football Association) vs. Eschol Park FC (Macarthur Football Association) - Match abandoned
A lighting mishap just as the match was set for penalties has left the result up in the air.
With scores level at the end of regulation at 1-1, the teams headed into extra time.
Eschol Park managed to snatch the lead 2-1 at the midway point of added time, before a stunning corner resulted in an equaliser from Emu Plains sent the game to penalties.
However, automatic lighting spoiled what was shaping to be an Australia Cup classic, shutting off as teams prepared for spot kicks.
“The lights automatically go off at a predetermined time,” host club Emu Plains explained in a statement on Facebook.
“Which was reached due to all of the stoppages and injuries during the game.
“We will have to wait and see what happens next, but it may be possible that Eschol Park will have to return to complete the penalty shoot out.”
The 2024 Australia Cup regulations state that if the match is forced to be abandoned after the 60 minute mark with the scores level, it must be rescheduled.
APIA Leichhardt FC (NPL NSW) defeated Hazelbrook FC (Nepean Football Association) 19-1
An incredible 19 goals, a four-goal haul from Ben Gibson and hat-tricks from three separate players move reigning NPL premiers APIA Leichhardt through to round five in dominant fashion.
Hazelbrook amazingly scored the first goal, with Keegan James finding the back of the net just four minutes in, but from there it was all APIA.
Nick Sullivan, Luigi Ditroia and Alex Denmead all netted three goals a piece, Rory Jordan recorded a brace while Jack Stewart and Jack Armson also got their names on the scoresheet.
Northbridge FC (Northern Suburbs Football) defeated Narellan Rangers SC (Macarthur Football Association) 6-0
Narellan Rangers were simply outclassed by the Northern Suburbs club, with Northbridge dominant in their 6-0 victory.
Sebastian Saunders was impressive, netting a hat-trick, while Michael Cole, Emilo Manos and Branden Cheng all added to the scoreline.
Lindfield FC (Northern Suburbs Football) defeated Woongarrah FC (Central Coast Football) 3-1
An own goal was the only flaw in Lindfield’s 3-1 win over Woongarrah to move on in the Australia Cup.
Captain Dominic Ferguson put Lindfield in front before the 20 minute mark, while Daniel Rigby and James Rengasamy added another two goals in the second half.
Rydalmere Lions (FNSW League One) defeated Randwick City (Eastern Suburbs Football) 5-3
A gutsy Randwick City was unable to over League One side Rydalmere Lions, going down 5-3 and bowing out of the Australia Cup.
Dillan Kahale and Marcus Lal put the Lions in front by the half-hour mark, but two goals in the remaining 15 minutes of the half by Ross Mann and Ryan O’Shaughnessy levelled the scores at 2-2 at the break.
Aaron Murphy then gave Randwick the lead minutes after the restart but the Lions weren’t ones to give up, with Lal, Kahale and Luke Kraljevic all scoring before the final whistle to secure the win and progression in the cup.
Rockdale Ilinden FC (NPL NSW) defeated Manly United FC (NPL NSW) 2-2 (4-2 on penalties)
Rockdale Ilinden captain Alec Urosevski inspired a spectacular stoppage time comeback, forcing extra time and eventually penalties to come out on top over fellow NPL side Manly United.
Urosevski’s opening goal was nullified by Manly’s Peter Kekeris before half time for the team’s to go into the break 1-1.
Zac Sfiligoi looked to have won the match for Manly with a goal in the 67th minute, but Rockdale and Urosevski did not give up.
Three minutes into stoppage time the skipper scored the equaliser to send the match to penalties, where Rockdale came out on 4-2.
Blacktown City FC (NPL NSW) vs. St George City FA (NPL NSW)
Blacktown City continued their strong run of form, downing NPL rival St George City 2-1 and securing a place in the Australia Cup round five.
Jak O’Brien added to his impressive goal tally of the season while Jayden Trenkoski scored his first in City colours.
St George captain Tarik Ercan scored the sole goal for his side.
NWS Spirit (NPL NSW) defeated Albion Park White Eagles (Football South Coast) 4-1
Albion Park almost pulled off a major upset against NPL outfit NWS Spirit, holding onto a 1-0 lead for most of their Australia Cup match.
Riku Amakawa’s 14th minute goal was unanswered by the Spirit up until the 65th minute when Richie Darko equalised, and from there the White Eagles couldn’t hold them off.
Three more goals followed in quick succession from Kyle Shaw, Ante Bakmaz and Jacob Chidiac and the Spirit snatched victory 4-1.
Cringila Lions FC (Football South Coast) defeated Doonside Hawks (Blacktown District Soccer Football Association) 4-1
Fans disappointed by match cancellations on the weekend due to heavy rains were treated to a midweek victory as Cringila Lions easily defeated Blacktown side Doonside Hawks 4-1.
Skipper Peter Simonoski was the first to score for the Lions, followed by Ekoue D’Almeida, Tyler Fuller and substitute Jordan Prentoski.
Marcus Correia recorded the only goal for the Hawks, scoring in the 57th minute.
Coniston FC (Football South Coast) defeated Mount Druitt Town Rangers (FNSW League One) 5-1
The first major Cup-set of the NSW bracket saw defending Illawarra Premier League champions Coniston FC take down League One ladder leaders Mount Druitt Town Rangers 5-1.
It took just three minutes for Adam Timpano-Voloder to put Coniston in front, with goals to Tobias Norval and Adrian Cabral giving the side a 3-0 lead heading into the half.
Timpano-Volder added a second not long after the break followed by a goal from substitute Temma Nomura, with a sole Rangers goal from Praneet Singh only a consolation.
It’s a shock result for the Rangers who made the round of 32 last year, before being relegated from the NPL in favour of St George FC.
Coogee United (Eastern Suburbs) defeated Inner West Hawks FC (FNSW League Two) 2-1
Eastern Suburbs club Coogee United are through to round five after a close 2-1 win over Inner West Hawks.
An early goal for the Hawks from Peter Kontis wasn’t able to hold off United, with Dale Howarth levelling the scores before halftime and Daniel Reynolds sealing the victory late in the match.
Sydney Olympic FC (NPL NSW) defeated Umina United SC (Central Coast Football) 11-0
It was the goal fest demolition that was to be expected when one of the top NPL teams in the state takes on a small association club from The Central Coast, though it did take 30 minutes for the first goal to be scored.
From there it was all Olympic, with Jaden Casella netting a hat-trick, Oliver Puflett, Josh Okan and Abraham Majok all securing a brace and substitutes Darcy Burgess and Jackson Bandiera adding a goal each.
Austral Soccer Club (Southern Districts) vs. Dulwich Hill FC (FNSW League One)
Washed out - to be rescheduled.
Shellharbour FC (Football South Coast) defeated Bonnet Bay FC (Sutherland Shire Football) 3-2
Shellharbour were able to hold off a last-ditch effort from the Bombers to claim a 3-2 win and progression to round five.
Jayden Branovski’s three goals gave Shellharbour a solid lead for much of the game, before Bonnet Bay substitute Jacob Roll came onto the pitch.
Roll scored two goals in the final few minutes, but it wasn’t enough to take down the South Coast outfit.
Wollongong United (Football South Coast) defeated Forest Killarney FC (Manly Warringah Football Association) 5-0
Wollongong United were ruthless in their 5-0 drubbing of association club Forest Killarney.
All five goals came from five different players with Sam Matthews, Mitsuo Yamada, Klime Sekutkoski, Daniel Geroski and Nav Darjani all making it onto the scoresheet.
Wollongong Wolves FC (NPL NSW) defeated Lane Cove FC (Northern Suburbs Football) 1-0
A 19th minute goal from Damon Gray was all that was needed for Wollongong Wolves to progress to round five of the Cup.
It was a surprisingly low scoreline given it was an NPL side taking on an association club, but nevertheless the Wolves got it done away from home.
Sutherland Sharks FC (NPL NSW) defeated Kellyville Kolts SC (Hills Football) 9-0
The Sharks may be struggling at the bottom of the NPL ladder this season, but they made taking down the Kolts look easy in their 9-0 win.
The Sharks’ nine goals came from seven different goal scorers with Kotaro Katsuta, Mitchell Stamatellis, Sam Gulisano, Matt Jackson and Jordan Roberts scoring one a piece, while Levi Sciuriaga and Jay McGowan each netted a brace.
Fraser Park FC (FNSW League Two) defeated Camden Tigers FC (FNSW League Two) 2-0
Just a few weeks after the Tigers demolished Fraser Park 4-0 in their League Two match up, Fraser turned it around to down the Tigers 2-0 and progress in the Australia Cup.
Alex Nicolosi added to his Cup tally following the opening goal from Francis McAlpine.
Inter Lions FC (FNSW League One) defeated Warilla Wanderers FC (Football South Coast) 11-0
Oliver Green was the star of the match as he recorded five of the Lions’ double digit goal count in their 11-0 victory over Warilla Wanderers.
Lions captain Sam Armson netted a brace alongside Giuseppe Tilio, with Jack Green also finding the back of the net.
The Lions made a shock debut in the round of 32 last year and progressed to the round of 16, where they lost to South Australian NPL side MetroStars.
Central Coast United (FNSW League Two) defeated Gladesville Ryde Magic (FNSW League Two) 4-2
An impressive hat-trick from Ben Flakus, including two goals in 10 minutes, and a strong defensive second half secured a 4-2 win for Central Coast United over League Two rivals Gladesville Ryde Magic.
Cade Mapu added the fourth goal for United, who ran away with a 3-1 lead before half time.
It was a mixed evening for the Magic’s Tyler Frost, who scored in the 35th minute before being sent off 40 minutes later after receiving his second yellow card of the night.
Hakoah Sydney City East FC (FNSW League One) defeated Bonnyrigg White Eagles (FNSW League One) 6-3
A classic Australia Cup goal-fest resulted in Hakoah Sydney City East take down League One rivals Bonnyrigg 6-3 in front of a home crowd.
Nick Tooley, Gabriel Antoniades, George Tuson-Firth and Sam Shepherd netted the goals for Hakoah along with a brace from Nick Drummond.
Emmanuel Gonzalez opened the scoring for Bonnyrigg while Stefan Nikolic scored two off the bench.
It’s not the first time the two sides have come together in the Cup, with Bonnyrigg the ones to come out on top during their 2018 Round of 32 encounter 2-1.
Berkeley Vale SC (Central Coast Football) defeated Hawkesbury City FC (FNSW League Two) 4-1
Riding high from taking out the Association Cup last week, Berkeley Vale continued their run of form to down League Two club Hawkesbury City convincingly 4-1.
Matthias Palmquist found the back of the net twice on either side of the half while Connor Fitzpatrick and Josh Cairelli scored one each.
Anthony Pedavoli’s goal gave Hawkesbury some hope, but Berkeley Vale were too strong.
Macarthur Rams FC (FNSW League One) defeated Kanwal Warnevale FC (Central Coast Football) 5-2
The Ram’s Leandro Guzman loves scoring in the Australia Cup, scoring a hat-trick against Kanwal to add to his round three goal against Normanhurst Eagles to take his tally to four.
William Provino stepped up from the U20’s side to score a brace for the Rams before the end of the first half.
The Bulls managed to get two back late in the game with Logan Moore and Rorey Rizzi-Lutgerink scoring within minutes of each other.
Phoenix FC (Eastern Suburbs) defeated Glebe Gorillas (Eastern Suburbs) 2-0
Phoenix FC came out on top in the battle of the Eastern Suburbs, however the Gorillas didn’t make it easy for them.
It took Phoenix until the last 10 minutes of regulation to take the lead courtesy of a Dylan Whelan goal, while Dean Byrne cemented the victory in the 89th minute.
Sydney United 58 (NPL NSW) defeated Bulli FC (Football South Coast) 4-0
A Patrick Antelmi hat-trick and a late goal from Alessandro Lacalandra was enough for Sydney United 58 to advance to round five.
The South Coast club put up a strong defence early, keeping United goalless until Antelmi broke the deadlock just after the half-hour mark.
Panorama FC (Bathurst District Football) vs. Mounties Wanderers FC (FNSW League Two)
Mounties Wanderers forfeit, Panorama FC through to Round Five.
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