Singleton Strikers created history on the weekend after winning through to a Round 7 FFA Cup game.
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The FFA Cup is Australia’s largest nationwide knock out competition and the qualification weekend was hosted by NNSWF at the Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility. Saturday saw Singleton take on Thornton in the Round 6 games with the winner qualifying for a semi final spot on Sunday. After falling behind to a Thornton goal at the 15 minute mark, the Strikers stepped up a gear and Thornton had no answer to the pace and precision of the Strikers attack.
Man of the Match Kieron Burrell was proving unstoppable on the left wing, and another of his sniping runs saw him restore parity when he swept in Singleton’s first goal. The second half continued in the same vein – Singleton on the attack and Thornton scrambling to hold on.
With puppet-master Dan Palozzi pulling the strings in midfield, Singleton’s attack of Sam Ford, Nathan Hall, and Burrell ran amok. In the end it was boom youngster Nathan Hall who settled the issue when he mesmerised the Thornton defence with a mazy run before poking the ball past a despairing Thornton goal keeper to make it 2-1.
Thornton redoubled their efforts but to no avail as Singleton’s defence, marshalled by the imperious Jackson Skinner, held firm. The win put them through to a semi final clash against reigning NPL Champions Edgeworth on Sunday.
Despite the pot of gold that awaited the players with a win on Sunday – the last 32 teams nationwide, and a potential game against A League opposition – it proved to be a bridge too far, as Edgeworth showed why they are the best team in NNSWF with a comfortable 7-0 win. However the boys were far from outclassed with goal keeper Stuart Plant, captain Jackson Cox, and young central defender Jackson Skinner all showing their class against quality opposition.
Coach David Willoughby was over the moon with the performance, “It was a great weekend to be involved in, and we played some great football. It was a privilege to be part of the ride.” Willoughby and his charges, would like to thank the big contingent of supporters who braved the elements on Sunday to cheer on the team.
