FFA Cup Preview – Parramatta FC v St Albans Saints
FFA CUP -ROUND OF 32
TUESDAY 5TH AUGUST 7:30 KO
MELITA STADIUM, PARRAMATTA
#PARvSAS #FFACUP
A clash of the minnows awaits Matchday 2 of the FFA Cup as NSWNPL2 side Parramatta Fc host visitors from another land, the land of Victoria and St Albans Saints who currently reside in the NPL1 competition. Both these teams have a rich history which promises to be an entertaining clash. Fans shall be expecting possible a cagey opening given both teams don’t really know each other but past that it should be a cracker with both teams doing their best to advance.
Parramatta Fc go into the clash surprisingly sitting atop the NSWNPL2 table. This wasn’t supposed to be, they were expected to be challenging for the finals at best but now find themselves trying to preserve their league position while fighting to stay in the cup. The Parramatta based club are coming into the game in average form however with the team only managing two draws in their last two outings. However maybe this is just because this cup outing has taken an extra importance with a win possibly propelling them to a marquee fixture against an A-League club.
Their opponents St Albans Saints are a worthy opposition and very much a breeding ground for national talent with names such as Jason Culina, Branko Culina and current socceroos right back Ivan Franjic amongst many to come through their ranks. As it stands they currently lie in a healthy 5th position in the second division of Victorian Football. However they will be more than keen to succeed in this outing as they look to re-establish themselves as powerhouse of Victorian football. Performance wise, they will be full of confidence holding league NPL1 leaders to a draw this previous Saturday afternoon.
Team Profiles:
Parramatta Fc:
Founded: 1956. Current Competition: NSWNPL2 (Division 2). NSW 1st Division Champions: 1985, 1988, 1989. NSL Cup Winners: 1991, 1994. NSW Super League Champions: 1996,1997. NSW Premier League Champions: 2001/02. NSW Super League Premiers: 2010.
St Albans Saints Sc:
Founded: 1954. Current Competition: NPL1 (Division 2). Victorian State League Cup Winners: 1989. Victorian Premier League Premiers: 1998. State League 1 division champions: 2009, 2010.
Road to the cup:
Parramatta Fc:
Win vs Hills Brumbies 1-0.
Win vs Dulwich Hill 2-0.
Win vs Macarthur Rams 3-0.
Loss vs South Coast Wolves 2-5.
Loss vs Sydney United (playoff) 0-1.
Win vs Northern Tigers 1-0
Win vs Macarthur Rams 3-0.
Loss vs South Coast Wolves 2-5.
Loss vs Sydney United (playoff) 0-1.
Win vs Northern Tigers 1-0
St Albans Saints Fc:
Win vs FC Clifton Hill 2-1.
Win vs Avondale Heights 2-1.
Win vs Eastern Lions 4-1.
Win vs Northcote City (6)1-1(5).
Key Players:
Pat Gatt (Parramatta Fc) plays a crucial role in the current position of the Paramatta club. Having a youthful side, it is important that coach Frank Cosentino has experienced players to steer the ship. He will also be helped by Mathew Clowes in their plight.
Ryan Mcguffie (St Albans Saints Fc) is the most notable man in the St Albans team. He also has big time experience in cup competitions having previously played in the 2006 Scottish Cup final. Having previously retired the defensive utility came to play for St Albans due to a link to their current coach. Other potential game breakers are Brodie Paterson and Tedros Yabio.
Squads:
Parramatta FC squad: 1.Luke TURNBULL (GK), 2.Andre SCHRODER, 3.Lord DARKOH, 4.Robert TRIBBA, 5.Patrick GATT, 6.Daniel GULLO, 7.Frank MARTEY, 8.Mathew CLOWES, 9.Wand JAJAW, 10.Daniel REZO, 11.Suad AMETI, 12.Jess CASEY, 13.Josuha GERSBACH, 14.Joshua JUNG, 15.Blake BROOKER, 16.Joshua SYMONS, 17.Domenic TRIMBOLI, 18.George STROGYLOS, 20.Justin BIEGA (GK), 23.Shayne ARDLE, 32.Peter KARDASIS, 33.Jayden TAUNTON, 36.Damien SMITH
St Albans Saints squad: 1.Stuart WEBSTER (GK), 2.Ryan MCGUFFIE, 3.Georgi NICESKI, 4.Barry DEVLIN, 5.Felix ROSMAN, 8.Ross HARVEY, 9.Sean MCILROY, 10.Brodie PATERSON, 12.Chol NYOK, 13.Nick CULLEN, 14.Chris ROSS, 15.Konrad DOBRASZKIEWICZ, 16.Ajak PANEK, 17.Adam NAKIC, 18.Tedros YABIO, 21.Tonio BARESIC (GK)
Prediction: St Albans 2-1
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