With Umina United being knocked out of the FFA Cup on Wednesday night we see the national cup competition officially come to an end for Central Coast based local sides for 2019. This year we saw 14 entrants from the Central Coast region, seven Battlewin Premier League sides, six Mens Division One sides, and Central Coast United from the Football NSW State League Mens competition.
The competition started in Round Two, with both Woongarrah and Berkeley Vale drawn to play the extra game before the preliminary rounds proper kicked off in Round Three. The Wildcats dispatched Macquarie University 5-0, whilst Berkeley Vale beat Holroyd Rangers 2-1 to progress to Round Three.
Round Two Results:
Woongarrah FC 5-0 Macquarie University SC
Berkeley Vale SC 2-1 Holroyd Rangers SC
Both sides joined the remaining 12 Central Coast sides in the draw for Round Three where some tough fixtures were drawn up including state league opposition for Kanwal in UNSW FC and NPL3 opposition for Woongarrah, drawing Dulwich Hill FC. Only five of the 14 Central Coast sides made it through their fixtures and into the draw for Round Four, most notably Division One sides Gwandalan and Summerland Point FC and Umina United. Neither Kanwal nor Woongarrah were able to topple the big Sydney clubs they were drawn against, both going down 4-0.
Round Three Results:
Woy Woy FC 1-2 Gerringong Breakers FC
Lindfield FC 2-0 Kariong United FC
Kanwal FC 0-4 UNSW FC
Pagewood Botany FC 1-3 Terrigal United FC
Dulwich Hill FC 4-0 Woongarrah FC
Gwandalan Summerland Point FC 2-1 Shoalhaven United FC
Abbotsford Juniors FC 3-2 Southern and Ettalong United FC
Pennant Hills SC 13-0 Doyalson-Wyee SC
Wyoming FC 1-5 Bulli FC
Killarney District SC 3-2 Albion Park White Eagles
Umina United SC 2-1 Epping Eastwood FC
Coledale Waves 3-1 Budgewoi FC
Hazelbrook FC 2-1 Central Coast United
Marayong FC 1-7 Berkeley Vale SC
Wins for Terrigal, Gwandalan, Killarney, Umina, and Berkeley Vale saw them into the fourth round. Berkeley Vales progression was particularly emphatic, thumping Marayong FC from the Blacktown and District Football Association 7-1. The Round Four draw once again threw up some challenging fixtures for the remaining Central Coast sides. Division One side Gwandalan were drawn to face NPL2 side the North Shore Mariners FC, whilst Terrigal United and Berkeley Vale were drawn against NPL1 sides Blacktown City and APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC. Umina United drew a home tie with Forest Killarney, whilst Killarney District were forced south, travelling to face Lugarno FC.
Round Four Results:
North Shore Mariners 7-0 Gwandalan Summerland Point FC
Lugarno FC 1-7 Killarney District SC
Umina United SC 2-1 Forest Killarney SC
Terrigal United FC 2-3 Blacktown City FC
Berkeley Vale SC 1-3 APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC
Only two sides were able to seal their progression into the fifth round, with Killarney emphatically dispatching Marayong FC 7-1, whilst Umina United snuck past Forest Killarney with a 2-1 victory in what was an impressive achievement from the Division One side. Gwandalan were unable to put a dent in a quality North Shore Mariners side, whilst Terrigal United and Berkeley Vale both put in great efforts against much fancied NPL opposition. In what eventuated to a double header at Pluim Park, Terrigal United almost caused a huge boilover as they led twice in their match with Blacktown City, only to go down in the end 3-2. Berkeley Vale also put forward a great account of themselves as they went down narrowly to APIA 3-1.
The Round Five draw saw Killarney face a trip to Hazelbrook FC, the side who managed to knock out Central Coast United in Round Three, whilst Umina United faced a home tie with Pittwater RSL FC from the Manly Warringah Football Association’s Premier League.
Round Five Results:
Hazelbrook FC 2-2 (4-3p) Killarney District SC
Umina United SC 0-3 Pittwater RSL FC
Unfortunately, neither Killarney nor Umina could manage progression to round six of the cup competition however both must be commended for their efforts. The Terriers battled it out for 120 minutes plus penalties out in the Blue Mountains, going down 4-3 in the shootout. Umina fought hard in their match with Pittwater but ultimately came up just short. It was a great effort from the Division One side to progress all the way to the fifth round, however now they’ve been eliminated their focus will surely turn to gaining promotion back to the Battlewin Premier League.
