Hume City hope they have learned the lessons of 2014 and won’t blow the chance to make the Westfield FFA Cup round of 32 on Wednesday night.
For the second year in a row, Victorian NPL club Hume take on lower-league opposition in the final round of qualifying for the national competition.
Last year they fell victim to third-tier State League giant-killers South Springvale, who went on to make the last 16 of the inaugural Westfield FFA Cup.
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This year it’s Kingston City that stand in the way of Lou Acevski’s side and they are determined not to let this opportunity slip.
“It’s that good old saying that you don’t know what you’ve got until you lose it,” Acevski told the Hume Leader ahead of Wednesday’s match at Broadmeadows Valley Park.
“The opportunity that we had last year, we sort of took it for granted a little bit and unfortunately didn’t go past South Springvale.
“If you’ve got ambition to play at a higher standard, you want to put yourself in that shop window.
“Even if you’re an experienced player that’s got no ambition to move up to a higher standard, you still want to play on the best possible platform available to you.”
Hume City take some inconsistent form into the clash but should have too much quality for Kingston City, who play in the NPL1 East.
“We’ll have the right attitude, the right preparation and hopefully be able to do the job on Kingston,” Acevski said.
“The boys are doing well. There’s a lot of games being played, it is taking a toll of their bodies but we’re doing the right things.”
Victoria's other qualifying clash sees former NSL powerhouse Heidelberg United host the Goulburn Valley Suns.
Heidelberg are currently third in the NPL – having lost 4-0 to league-leaders Bentleigh Greens on Friday night – but will start warm favourites against another NPL 1 outfit.
The winners of the two matches will join South Melbourne and Oakleigh Cannons as Victorian regional clubs in the round of 32.
For all the latest Westfield FFA Cup fixtures and results head to www.theffacup.com.au
