The Men’s NPL takes a break this weekend as attention turns to the WA fifth round of the FFA Cup.
Those still involved not only start to scent the national stage of the competition but a win this round and they are just two games from the final of the State Cup and a crack at silverware.
Belt Up Amateur League outfit Kwinana United have made a strong start to the season and sit second in the Premier Division. But they could not face a stiffer test than a trip to Perth SC, who have moved into third in the NPL on the back of four straight wins. Perth were dealt a blow with the departure of top scorer Cameron Teece to Victoria but Ramon Falzon’s side will be confident of advancing, especially with the game at Dorrien Gardens.
Another NPL side happy to have home advantage on Saturday will be Sorrento, who host 2020 State League Division Two champions Carramar Shamrock Rovers. Carramar enjoyed a fine win at first division Forrestfield United in the last round and won’t be fazed by a trip to Percy Doyle Reserve. Sorrento know they cannot underestimate their opponents, but the Gulls will see this as an opportunity to move a step closer to a first State Cup success in six years.
NPL champions ECU Joondalup do have to travel, albeit the short journey down Wanneroo Road to reigning Division One champions Olympic Kingsway. The tie will see ECU striker and Golden Boot winner Danny Hodgson return to the team he helped fire to promotion in 2018. It will also be a swift reunion for David Tough, who recently left his role as Kenny Lowe’s assistant at ECU to take the head coach’s job at Kingsway.
There are two all-NPL ties in the fifth round, including unbeaten NPL leaders Floreat Athena’s game at Gwelup Croatia. Athena are the last winners of the State Cup after lifting the then Belt Up Cup in 2019. The sides met at the Croatian Sporting Complex a fortnight ago, when Gwelup became the first side to take a point off Floreat this season in a 1-1 draw.
The other all-top flight fixture is between Bayswater City and Balcatta at Frank Drago Reserve. Bayswater are another team who have seen a striker head east, with Ndumba Makeche leaving for Melbourne. Neither City nor Balcatta have hit form in the league, with Balcatta’s only NPL win coming against Saturday’s opponents in Round Two.
Division One Mandurah City have already tasted success this year when they lifted the State League Night Series. On Saturday they host Cockburn City, who had been struggling in the NPL before last week’s 3-0 win over Armadale.
NPL bottom club Rockingham City are also in need of results but they can put their league concerns to one side on Sunday when they welcome Gosnells City to SafeRad Stadium. In 2019 Rockingham were one game from the national stage, going down 1-0 to Bayswater in the WA semi-final.
The final round of 16 tie is next Wednesday night when 2020 Amateur Premier Division champions North Perth United host Armadale.
Filed Under: FFA Cup