FFA Cup romance reaching out to regions

More than 61 teams from across Western Australia are hoping to experience the romance of the Westfield FFA Cup in 2015 after entries closed for the second edition of the new tournament.

Teams from as far north as Geraldton, south to Albany and east to Kalgoorlie will compete in this year’s initial rounds.

In 2014, Bayswater City and Stirling Lions’ progress to the Cool Ridge Cup final gave them qualification into the Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32. This year, regional clubs have been included for the first time in the preliminary rounds of Australian sport’s newest national club competition.

The knockout format replicates England’s historic FA Cup competition and aims to give clubs a shot at some of the best teams in the country. The competition offers the tantalising prospect of small local clubs flexing their muscle against more fancied opponents.

Last year, National Premier Leagues WA sides Bayswater and Stirling were pitted against heavyweight A-League opposition in Melbourne Victory and Brisbane Roar in what were dream ties for the local clubs.

The initial WA round of the Westfield FFA Cup will be held over a three-week period. WA’s north will have the honour of kicking off the competition when four Geraldton clubs go head to head on February 21. These matches will be followed by games in Kalgoorlie, Margaret River, Bunbury and Perth across the weekend of March 14 to wrap up the Round 2 action.

Football West State Amateur and State League Clubs will enter the competition in Round 3 with clubs from the National Premier Leagues WA to join the remaining clubs in Round 4.

Click here for more details.