Fremantle City’s inaugural run in the Hahn Australia Cup will continue after a dramatic come-from-behind win over Maitland FC in the Hunter Valley on Wednesday night.
WA’s last team standing produced a stunning late double to become only the third Football West club to advance beyond the Round of 32.
The first half proved a tense affair, but neither team could land a telling blow on their opponents heading into the break.
The home side snatched the lead in the 72nd minute when Daniel McFarlane whipped in a right-wing cross for Scott Wara, who provided a towering header to steer the ball into the right of the goal.
Maitland’s star striker Braedyn Crowley then had a golden opportunity to put the game beyond Freo’s reach but shot wide. And that proved costly as Scott Miller’s visitors restored parity in the 88th minute.
Taj Bingwa sent a looping cross from the right for new signing Michael Domfeh, who executed an unorthodox volley that found its way in. Domfeh, a former NPL league winner with Perth SC, has made only two substitute appearances for Fremantle and scored on both occasions.
Less than two minutes later, the Western Australia side turned the match around with a stunning strike.
A free-kick from inside their own half was fired towards the edge of the box, where it dropped into the path of Iljas Ahmedov, who delivered an audacious volley that looped into the goal.
The special moment from Ahmedov was enough to confirm Fremantle City’s place in next Thursday’s Round of 16 draw.
Bayswater City’s interest in the competition ended on Tuesday night with Sydney FC showing their quality at Frank Drago Reserve.
In front of a big crowd, Bayswater were hoping to catch the five-time grand final winners cold early in their pre-season. But it was not to be, with Patrick Kisnorbo’s side running out impressive 5-1 winners.
Tiago Quintal was the star man with a hat-trick. He gave Sydney the lead on 20 minutes when Akol Akon threaded through a ball that the Australia U20 midfielder put away.
Bayswater briefly got the home fans excited when Cam Teece headed home from a corner to level. But Sydney regained the lead almost immediately, Akon once again in the centre of the action as he squared for Mathias Macallister to tuck home.
The goals kept coming for the Sky Blues after half-time. Quintal’s second was a lovely individual effort, driving past several defenders to find space for the shot to give his side some breathing room.
Zac de Jesus scored his first senior goal for Sydney in the 62nd minute, before Quintal completed his treble with a similar goal to his second to put the result well and truly beyond doubt.
Unfortunately, WA’s own A-League side Perth Glory were unable to get past NPL opposition as they went out on penalties in Brisbane against Lions FC.
Goalless at the end of 90 minutes, Lions took the lead five minutes into extra time. Jerson Lagos came off the bench to score a stunner from distance, a curling strike that left the goalkeeper with no chance.
It would have been a worthy winner, but Glory got on terms in the second period of extra time when Andriano Lebib popped up at the back post to equalise and send the game to penalties.
Goalkeeper Jacson Reilly was the hero for the home side during the shootout. He made consecutive saves, denying Seb Despotovski and Arion Sulemani, to open the door for Tommy Jarrard to convert the winner.
This is the second time in three years that Glory have gone out to NPL opposition.
