Caceres dreams of FFA Cup glory

Adrian Caceres says he’ll draw on his English FA Cup experiences as inspiration when he kicks off his shot at FFA Cup glory this weekend in WA.

The former Glory, Victory, Mariners and Phoenix attacking midfielder plays for the Western Australian NPL leaders Bayswater FC, who begin their Cool Ridge Cup campaign on Saturday.

The club won the Cool Ridge Cup last season and have extra incentive to retain their title, with the two finalists for the season's event to qualify for the inaugural FFA Cup later this year.

Bayswater, who are coached by former Socceroos defender Chris Coyne and have former A-League players Jamie Coyne and Todd Howarth on their books, have won all four league matches this season and are the only club in the West with a 100 per cent record.

A strong Cup run could see Caceres and his teammates squaring off against the professional ranks of A-League stars.

"It's exciting. All the players are buzzing, everyone wants to be in it and it should be a good tournament,” he told www.footballaustralia.com.au.

"It just shows the progress that Australian football is going to have this tournament now.

"Obviously the A-League put a benchmark there, now the lower leagues are following ahead and I think that it's really important to have a cup competition.

Caceres made more than 100 appearances in the A-League in stints with Perth Glory, Melbourne Victory, Central Coast Mariners and Wellington Phoenix.

Asked about the possibility of taking on an A-League side in the Cup, the 32-year-old said: "That's what the Cup is all about. One day the little guys can go up against the big boys.

"You see it in England where a lower league club plays the likes of Manchester United or Chelsea or Arsenal.

“There's a buzz around the city, the stadium, everywhere.

"It's a good thing. There's also the exposure for players which they sometimes might not get and they might get a lucky break and get seen.

“It would be nice to play playing against Victory or Perth Glory again."

Caceres knows all about the romance of cup competitions, having played in the FA Cup for Yeovil Town during his stint in the UK just under a decade ago.

"I've got some very fond memories of the cup over there, it was such great times," he said.

"For a little club like Yeovil playing against (then) premiership clubs like Bolton and Charlton was awesome, a very good experience.

"My club got through a couple of the early rounds which was a great thrill.

"The fans are very passionate about (the cup) over there. The supporters get behind you as a player and you love to play for them. I'm sure it will be something similar here.

Bayswater take on first division club Ashfield in the opening round of the cup at Frank Drago Reserve on Saturday in a repeat of last year's final.

Full list of Cool Ridge Cup Round 1 Fixtures on Saturday 3pm (WADT): *Joondalup United v Bunbury Forum Force, Beldon Park; *Kingsley v Rockingham City, Chichester Park; *Cockburn City v Wanneroo City, Dalmatinac Park; *Dianella White Eagles v Armadale, Dianella Reserve; *Perth v Port Kennedy, Dorrien Gardens; *ECU Joondalup v Forrestfield United, ECU Joondalup Football Stadium; *Bayswater City v Ashfield, Frank Drago Reserve; *Fremantle United v Olympic Kingsway, Hilton Reserve; *Mandurah City v Subiaco, Hyundai Stadium; *Joondalup City v Stirling Lions, Iluka Sports Complex; *Floreat Athena v Perth Royals, Litis Stadium; *Fremantle Croatia v Shamrock Rovers Perth, Len Packham Reserve; *Melville City v Balcatta, Len Shearer Reserve; *Swan United v Sorrento, Swan Italian Club; *Curtin University v UWA-Nedlands, UWA Sports Park; and *North Perth United v Inglewood United, Woodville Reserve

For more WA FFA Cup news, head to www.footballwest.com.au And for FFA Cup news www.footballaustralia.com.au/ffacup

Image courtesy Tom Taylor