Westfield FFA Cup wrap

From Hobart to Sydney’s west, Adelaide to Newcastle, Westfield FFA Cup match day two conjured up more intense drama. There were heroics from keepers, funny commentators and it was a good night for the Irish. Here’s what happened.

South Hobart 1 (OG - Sean Kiddey 70')
Tuggeranong 1 (Munster 85') 

Tuggeranong win 5-4 on pens

After a goalless but entertaining first half at KGV Park, South Hobart appeared to have one foot in the last 16 when Tuggeranong's Sean Kiddey was credited with diverting the ball into his own net during a goal-mouth scramble, gifting the home side the lead with 20 minutes to go.

The visitors from the ACT were not denied so easily though, substitute Zach Munster heading home from close range after the hosts failed to clear their lines, making it 1-1 with five minutes to go and sending the game to extra-time.

In a frantic start to extra-time, Tuggeranong twice went agonisingly close, striking the side netting and then hitting the bar, the latter chance falling to Muad Zed.

It was the hosts' turn to threaten as the second period of extra-time got underway, with a penalty shout for handball waved away before sub Darcy Hall struck the upright.

A thrilling climax to the additional 30 minutes failed to produce a winner, although there was time for the local live stream commentators to cement their status as instant cult heroes on social media, their description of a yellow card as a 'slice of cheese' proving particularly popular with fans tuning in around the country.

The lottery of penalties was a cruel way for an entertaining game, one played in great spirit, to be decided. 

Tuggeranong goalkeeper Rohan Shepherd, dominant throughout the 120 minutes for the visitors, proved the hero in the shootout, saving Caleb Ludlow's spot-kick before Harry Petit sealed it 5-4, firing the underdogs from ACT into the round of 16.

 

Newcastle Jets 0

Perth Glory 2

(Keogh 20, 88)

A brace from new recruit Andy Keogh inspired Perth Glory to a deserved 2-0 win over Newcastle Jets at Magic Park in Newcastle.

The Republic of Ireland international struck in each half to propel the Glory into the round of 16 of the Westfield FFA Cup.

It was a cagey start to the match with both teams struggling to maintain possession in the early stages in front of a packed crowd at Magic Park.

But it was the Glory who settled the better and took the lead in the 20th minute through Andy Keogh who prodded the ball home from six yards after some good build-up play from Sidnei Sciola.

The Jets looked to respond and nearly levelled in the 29th minute through Jeronimo Neumann but the Argentine's stinging long-range effort smacked into the crossbar.

The former Adelaide United striker should have levelled the scores just two minutes later after being put through by Joel Griffiths but he pushed his shot wide from six yards.

The home side continued to press at the start of the second half and nearly equalised in the 61st minute through the head of Joel Griffiths but Glory keeper Danny Vukovic produced a smart save.

The second half descended into a stop-start affair with both sides struggling to create chances in a largely scrappy encounter.

But the Glory sealed the win in the 88th minute when Mitch Nichols raced clear down the right flank before squaring the ball for Andy Keogh to slide the ball home to make it 2-0.

 

Parramatta FC 0
St Albans Saints SC 1 (Devlin, 35')

After a tight first half at Melita Stadium, Irishman Barry Devlin opened the scoring for the visitors on 35 minutes with one of the first real chances of the game, his dynamic right-foot shot from outside the area putting St Albans 1-0 up at the break. 
 

The Saints came close to doubling their lead 10 minutes into the second half, when Parramatta goalkeeper Luke Turnbull was called on to deny a Brodie Paterson shot from the edge of the area.

Daniel Rezo threatened for the hosts in the 66th minute, receiving Andre Schroder's back-heel to test Stuart Webster with another long-range effort. Just four minutes later and Shayne Ardle hit the woodwork, as the Eagles' second-half pressure began to tell. 

With just 12 minutes remaining the onslaught continued, Webster producing an outstanding double save to preserve his team's lead.

But there was no way through for Parramatta in the time remaining, as the Saints hung on to book their place in the last 16.

 

Adelaide United 1 (Cirio 31)

Wellington Phoenix 0

After Phoenix pinned the Reds back for most of the opening half an hour, it was United who took the lead against the run of play courtesy of midfielder Sergio Cirio.

Neat lead-up play from Tarek Elrich and rising star Awer Mabil found the Spaniard who finished well past Glenn Moss. As the game opened up, the home side almost made it 2-0 when Cirio beat two defenders but his shot was well saved by Moss. And just on the break Phoenix striker Kenny Cunningham was denied an equaliser brilliantly by Reds keeper Paul Izzo.

A slender 1-0 lead for the home side at the break in front of just under 3000 fans.

The second half saw no let up in both sides’ intensity. Changes were made including Fijian flyer Roy Krishna on for the visitors while young Nathan Konstandoupoulos made his competitive debut replacing the hard-working Bruce Djite for Adelaide.

Phoenix hit the post in the final minutes to almost send the game into extra time, but the Reds defence in particular keeper Izzo stood up to help their side to a hard-earned win.

Adelaide are now into the final 16 of the Westfield FFA Cup.

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