Westfield FFA Cup Brisbane Zone Preliminary RD5 Draw
The Brisbane Zone Preliminary RD5 Draw of the Westfield FFA Cup has taken place earlier today at the offices of Football Brisbane and it’s produced some interesting ties.
Here's the full draw:
Rochedale Rovers (FCPL) v Brisbane Strikers (NPL)
Souths United (FCPL) v Holland Park Hawks (FCPL)
Albany Creek Excelsior (FCPL) v Moreton Bay United (NPL)
Southside Eagles (CL1) v Grange Thistle (FCPL)
Western Pride (NPL) v Olympic FC (NPL)
Brisbane Knights (CL1) v Peninsula Power (FCPL)
Brisbane City (NPL) v Logan Lightning (FCPL)
UQFC (CL1) v Redlands United (NPL)
Giant killers Brisbane Knights will enjoy home advantage and have the opportunity to claim another Flight Centre Premier League scalp in the shape of Peninsula Power. Coach Dave McEvoy and his side will undoubtedly relish such an encounter and will enter the game brimming with confidence having already accounted for both Lions FC and Mitchelton in the previous two rounds. Can their their cup fairy tale continue? I wouldn't put it past them.
Photo: Sarah Keayes - Quest News.
Rochedale Rovers Coach Scott MacNicol will come up against one of his old clubs from his playing days when PlayStation4 NPL outift Brisbane Strikers visit Underwood Park in what is set to be a blockbuster of a tie. In the 2016 edition of the cup, Rovers featured in one of the greatest ties to have been played out in our zone when they came from behind to defeat Moreton Bay United before falling at the last hurdle to reach the Round of 32 when Redlands United ended their cup aspirations. They’ll have a chance to end Strikers somewhat impressive undefeated record in the zone preliminary stages which will be a tough ask but if anything, they’re looking a better side than they were in 2016. One player in particular will be relishing the tie with former Rovers striker Greg Cheshire set to make a return to his old club. Cheshire will have fond memories from the clash against Moreton Bay last season as it was his strike late on that secured victory. Will he return to haunt his old club? The lowest ranked side still remaining is Southside Eagles who currently languish in second bottom spot on the Capital League 1 ladder. They of course enjoyed a good cup run last season but to continue in this season's competition they’ll have to overcome Flight Centre Premier League basement dwellers Grange Thistle. Thistle reached this round with a 3-1 success over Capital League 1 leaders Taringa Rovers. Eagles will however be keen to seek some revenge over Thistle who defeated the Bulimba side on penalties in the Capital League 1 Grand Final at the end of last season. Perhaps one of the more intriguing ties will be played out at Wolter Park, home of both Albany Creek and Moreton Bay United. Although Creek will be the home team, there will be no advantage as they face their sister club the Jets in the next round. Bragging rights could play a big part in this one as naturally neither side will be wanting to lost to the other and with former Jet Royce Brownlie now donning the red and black of Creek, it will be interesting to see how this one plays out. Souths United will host Holland Park Hawks in the only all Flight Centre Premier League tie to be drawn. Hawks enjoyed early season success at Wakerley Park albeit with a narrow victory over Souths who have improved since then in the league. The remaining ties will see Brisbane City host Logan Lightning in another NPL v FCPL tie, whilst the only all PlayStation4 NPL clash will see Western Pride welcome Olympic FC to the Briggs Road Sporting Complex. The two have met in the league already with Olympic taking out a slender 1-0 victory so it should prove another mouth watering tie with Pride eager to reverse that result. The final tie drawn from the bowl sees UQFC at home to last seasons giant killers Redlands United where Redlands went on to produce one of the greatest shocks of Westfield FFA Cup history when they knocked out reigning Hyundai A-League Champions Adelaide United.
Personnel changes have been a plenty though since then and Redlands early season form hasn't impressed. That aside, it will be a tough test for the Students who themselves are struggling in Capital League 1.
The ties are scheduled to be played the first weekend of May and depending on rescheduled league fixtures.
