The final two Round of 32 entrants from Queensland have been decided with a debutante club from the Glitter Strip and a familiar club from up north reaching the Final Rounds.
Surfers Paradise Apollo take Fire scalp
The fairytale Westfield FFA Cup run of Surfers Paradise Apollo has continued as the Gold Coast team progressed to the Round of 32 with a stunning 2-0 win over PlayStation 4 NPL outfit Sunshine Coast FC at Lex Bell Oval.
The teams battled to a scoreless stalemate at half-time before Apollo struck twice in the second stanza via Nikki Fela and Wade Russell to seal Fire’s fate.
The result adds another chapter to Apollo's incredible Cup journey while ending Fire’s best ever return in the national knock-out competition – their 2016 run marking their first two wins ever in the Westfield FFA Cup.
Apollo, who compete in the third tier BLK Premier League competition, become the first Queensland community club to secure passage to this year’s Round of 32.
It marks the first time the Gold Coast based club will compete on the national stage in their 38-year history.
CLICK HERE for the full match report.
Heat return to national stage again
Skipper Jamie Carroll netted a double as FNQ Heat booked their third straight appearance in the Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 with a 4-2 win over Frenchville SC at Barlow Park.
Considered underdogs coming into the contest, Frenchville benefitted from an own goal only minutes into the match before Heat wrested control – storming to a half-time lead via Carroll and a penalty from Jamie Gosling.
Carroll wrapped up his haul shortly after the restart before Ari Isman effectively booked his side’s return to the national stage with 20 minutes remaining.
Frenchville’s star attacker Michael Cay pulled a further goal back entering the final quarter hour from the penalty spot, however Heat held firm for the remainder of the contest.
Heat now join fellow PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Queensland clubs Brisbane Strikers and Redlands United in the Round of 32, along with Surfers Paradise Apollo.
The result marks the second straight year Frenchville have fallen at the final qualifying hurdle to Heat.
CLICK HERE for the full match report.
