Manly United earn round of 16 FFA Cup spot
Manly United will continue its run in the FFA Cup round of 16 for the first time in its club’s history after defeating fellow NPL NSW Men’s outfit Mt Druitt Town Rangers 4-2 on penalties after the match ended at two-a-piece in regular time.
Manly United striker Dejan Pandurevic drilled home an early effort in the second minute but the attackers opener was quickly cancelled out by Toufic Alameddine as he hit back in the sixth minute.
Manly then had the opportunity to grab the lead once more in the 66th minute via Brendan Cholakian from the spot-kick. His resulting penalty was expertly saved by club captain Carlos Saliadarre.
The game ended at 2-2 with the match heading to extra time and Manly United’s young gun Harry McCarthy put the visitors ahead once more in the 95th minute.
With the Northern Beaches side tasting a round of 16 spot, Rangers’ Young Socceroos star John Roberts had other ideas as he tied the game with a well taken goal in the 110th minute.
With both keepers Salidarre and Dylan Mitchell saving a handful it was Charles Mendy that sent the traveling Manly United fans crazy with his final spot kick that all but assured a spot in the round of 16 for Paul Dee’s men.
Round 20 will certainly be a tough one for both teams with the Rangers backing up on Saturday in an away clash against the Sutherland Sharks at Seymour Shaw while Manly United host Rockdale City Suns at Cromer Park on Sunday.
As many as three Football NSW clubs will be heavily involved in week two of the round of 32 FFA Cup matches on Wednesday 31st of July as St George FC host Sydney United 58 at the Ilinden Sports Centre while the Marconi Stallions travel to chilly Tasmania to take on South Hobart FC at the Blundstone Arena.
In other matches, Magpie Crusaders defeated the Coomera Colts 2-1, Edgeworth Eagles defeated Darwin Olympic 3-0, Moreland Zebras went to penalties and defeated the Bulleen Lions 3-2, Adelaide Olympic beat Floreat Athena 4-3 while Brisbane Olympic crushed Bayswater 5-2.
