Eight local clubs will be aiming to take a step closer to the coveted Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 on Saturday when they take part in the latest WA Preliminary Round.
Third-tier Curtin University will need to produce a giant-killing act if they are to progress having been drawn away to PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues WA club Stirling Lions at Macedonia Park (5.30pm).
Stirling have risen to second place in the elite PS4 NPLWA competition, while Curtin are fifth in WA’s third-tier league.
State League Division One side Gosnells City, who are unbeaten in five league matches this season, will have glory on their minds as they take on NPLWA side Cockburn City at Dalmatinac Park (2.30pm).
And in the other all-NPLWA cup matches, Floreat Athena take on Armadale at E&D Litis Stadium (2.30pm) and Balcatta hosts Inglewood United at Grindleford Reserve (2.30pm).
The four winners will progress to the next round where they will play-off for a place in the Round of 32. Two Football West teams and Perth Glory will represent WA in the Round of 32.
Football Federation Australia have announced changes to the Round of 32 draw that allows for the possibility of any of the 10 A-League clubs taking on local opposition.
Football West acting Head of Competitions Chris Beech said the excitement around the Westfield FFA Cup was building as clubs moved closer to the critical stage.
“The Magic of the Cup has been alive and well since the Westfield FFA Cup was launched and it just gets more and more interesting and exciting as we get closer to the Round of 32,” Beech said.
“Great Cup upsets become part of football folklore and there is so much incentive now for clubs to create history.”
Since the Westfield FFA Cup competition was launched, WA clubs have been drawn against A-League opposition in three out of four matches.
In 2014, Stirling Lions were beaten by Brisbane Roar and Bayswater City lost to Melbourne Victory, while last year Sorrento went down to Sydney FC.
WA’s only other Round of 32 representative, Perth SC, lost to New South Wales NPL team Rockdale City Suns.
WESTFIELD FFA CUP, WA PRELIMINARY ROUND 6
Saturday, May 14
Cockburn City v Gosnells City (Dalmatinac Park, 2.30pm)
Floreat Athena v Armadale (E&D Litis Stadium, 2.30pm)
Balcatta v Inglewood United (Grindleford Reserve, 2.30pm)
Stirling Lions v Curtin University (Macedonia Park, 5.30pm)
