Round of 32 focus - Northern NSW

Two Northern NSW clubs who know what the Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 is all about will suit up for a third crack in 2017. Get the rundown on Football Northern NSW’s two entrants here.

Both of this year’s Northern NSW Football entrants have featured in the Westfield FFA Cup Final Rounds twice and both have made a statment with some commanding performances against fellow PS4 NPL opposition in the Preliminary Rounds.

The previous year that they both made it through to the Round of 32 together came in 2015, so it’s back to the future as two of the most established clubs in PS4 NPL Northern NSW prepare to line up again with 20 other Member Federation clubs aspiring to go on a magical run in the Westfield FFA Cup.

Here are the contenders from Northern NSW…

Broadmeadow Magic #BMA

League: PS4 NPL Northern NSW

Home Venue: Magic Park (Corner Curley Road & Denny Street, Broadmeadow)

Website: broadmeadowmagic.teamapp.com

Twitter: @BMagicFC

Facebook: facebook.com/bmagicfc

Head Coach: Ruben Zadkovic

How they qualified

Round 4
Broadmeadow Magic 8 (Kale Bradbery 4’ (pen)/58’/74’, Josh Piddington 78’, Luke Virgili 19’, Lawrence Foteff 65’, Scott Pettit 66’, James Virgili 90’)
Wallsend FC 0

Round 5
New Lambton 0
Broadmeadow Magic 3 (Scott Pettit 6’, Kale Bradbery 32’/53’)

Round 6
Valentine FC 0
Broadmeadow Magic 4 (James Virgili 13’, Peter Haynes 83’, Samuel Webb 87’, Shane Paul 90+2’)

Round 7
Broadmeadow Magic 3 (Shane Paul 46’, James Virgili 69’/86’)
Coffs City United 1 (Nick Lambert 48’)

Westfield FFA Cup history

2014 - Knocked out in Round of 32 by Brisbane Strikers 2-1 at Magic Park, Broadmeadow

2015 - Knocked out in Round of 32 by Heidelberg United 3-1 at Magic Park, Broadmeadow

2016 - Did not qualify for the Round of 32

Lowdown

Broadmeadow Magic come into the Final Rounds with a point to prove. Twice they have been drawn to host in the Round of 32, and both times they have been on the wrong side of the score line at the first hurdle.

The club played in the first ever feature match of the inaugural Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 when they hosted Brisbane Strikers at Magic Park in front of a national audience watching on Fox Sports.

Despite a spirited performance, Broadmeadow were edged out 2-1 and the following year they suffered a 3-1 defeat to a highly talented Heidelberg United outfit at the same venue.

After missing out last year, they find themselves back in the mix thanks to a convincing run through the Preliminary Rounds.

Former Newcastle Jets and Perth Glory midfielder Ruben Zadkovich took charge at the start of this year and has put his no nonsense, tireless playing traits into his team.

Zadkovich has blooded a number of youngsters this year and with the likes of the Virgili brothers Luke and James, veterans James Piddington and Peter Haynes, and the recent signing of Perth Glory and former Joeys midfielder Mitch Oxborrow, the future looks bright for a proud club with high expectations.

The question is can they make their mark in the Westfield FFA Cup and get out of the Round of 32 for the first time? The club's dedicated and committed group of volunteers and supporters will be hoping so.

Edgeworth FC

Edgeworth Eagles FC #EDG

League: PS4 NPL Northern NSW

Home Venue: Jack McLaughlan Oval (Park Street, Edgeworth)

Website: edgewortheaglesfc.com.au

Twitter: @EdgeworthFC

Facebook: facebook.com/Edgeworth-Eagles-FC

Head Coach: Damian Zane

How they qualified

Round 4
Edgeworth Eagles FC 9 (Keigo Moriyasu 21’/70’, Daniel McBreen 28’/64’/86’, Josh Anstess 46’ (own goal), Will Bower 77’/90’, Aden Gardner 87’)
Belmont Swansea United 0

Round 5
Hamilton Olympic FC 2 (Scott Smith 39’/80’)
Edgeworth Eagles FC 4 (Kieran Sanders 18’/23’/73’, Keigo Moriyasu 80’)

Round 6
Lambton Jaffas 0
Edgeworth Eagles FC 5 (Dylan Holz 53’, Ayden Brice 56’ (pen), Adam Cawley 58’, Daniel McBreen 80’, Kieran Sanders 90+1’)

Round 7
Edgeworth Eagles FC 1 (Adam Cawley 28’)
Maitland FC 0

Westfield FFA Cup history

2014 - Did not qualify for the Round of 32

2015 - Knocked out in Round of 32 by Melbourne City FC 2-1 at Magic Park, Broadmeadow

2016 - Knocked out in Round of 16 by Western Sydney Wanderers FC 5-1 at Magic Park, Broadmeadow

Lowdown

Edgeworth Eagles FC have been the benchmark of Northern NSW Football over the past two years. Their achievements in that time has included winning the league twice, reaching the PS4 NPL 2016 Grand Final against Sydney United 58 FC, and qualifying both years for the Westfield FFA Cup Final Rounds.

And they are back in the Round of 32 for a third straight time in 2017 after booking their spot with a tough 1-0 win over Maitland FC in Round 7.

The Eagles’ previous Westfield FFA Cup Final Round campaigns saw them take it to Melbourne City FC where only two cracking Aaron Mooy free kicks proved the difference in a 2-1 result in 2015.

Then last year, they headed north to Cairns and put three goals past FNQ Heat before coming up against Western Sydney Wanderers FC in the Round of 16, a match they lost 5-1 but would have been an invaluable experience for the players still at the club heading into this Cup campaign.

Hyundai A-League championship winning striker Daniel McBreen continues to provide goals and leadership for a talented squad that proven on their day that they can score heavily and quickly. The club’s fans are in for another exciting Westfield FFA Cup ride in 2017.