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Monday 27 July 2015

ODDS STACKED AGAINST BROADMEADOW IN 2015 FFA CUP

This year Broadmeadow Magic are lining up for their second shot at the FFA Cup. After bowing out in the Round of 32 in the inaugural event last year, the Magic have been cursed by injuries, inconvenience and suspension this year.

Broadmeadow Magic are one of two Northern NSW NPL representatives in the FFA Cup, the other being competition leaders Edgeworth FC, who have drawn Melbourne City in the Round of 32.

Broadmeadow face the slightly easier assignment of Victorian NPL outfit Heidelberg United, albeit with a patched up backline. It's expected that the Magic will go into the tussle minus both regular central defenders Jon Griffiths and Josh Piddington.

Griffiths received a nightmare two game suspension last week against Michael Bridges' Lambton Jaffas. Piddington meanwhile, will have to defy the medical community by recovering from fractured ribs in less than three weeks. "I'm certainly doing everything I can do to get these bones healed as quickly as I can," the defensive hard man told the Newcastle Herald.

Speaking with Broadmeadow's co-manager Robert Virgili, there is a level of respect for the club's Victorian opponents. The former NSL club are currently second in their NPL competition, and Virgili was aware of the team's strengths through his Melbourne connections.

"They're a direct side with mobility up front," he said. But Broadmeadow will look to stifle that threat with their own strength.

Though sitting fifth in the NNSW NPL Broadmeadow are the competition's highest goal scorers. "Our strength is our attack," Virgili said. Hinting at some cautious play early, the manager was adamant that his side weren't going to simply park the bus.

The home side will also be hamstrung by the late arrival of club legend Peter Haynes who is away on a coaching assignment in Japan. The goalscoring threat will arrive in Australia on the day of the match, just like he did for last year's FFA Cup tie with Brisbane Strikers.

On a personal level Virgili said, that a meeting with an A-League club in a full competition scenario would be the pinnacle for him.

He and co-manager Bob Naumov will need to overcome Heidelberg United for that opportunity to present itself. After winning three grand finals and two premierships with Broadmeadow Magic between 2011 and 2013, Virgil took time out, but was wooed back by the 'magic of the cup'.

Virgili was impressed by the exposure NPL clubs received last year and was genuinely surprised by the success of the FFA Cup. While Broadmeadow Magic vs Heidelberg United will not feature as the main game on Foxsports next Wednesday, there will be single camera coverage to ensure every goal is captured.

In an honest assessment of his team's hopes Virgili said, "On our day, at our best (we could win), but with them guys out it may be the difference."

Nevertheless, Broadmeadow are in with a fighting chance and they'll know that the history of underdogs doing the unthinkable is what makes cup football so magical.

NOTE: Match kicks off at Wanderers Oval (a.k.a Magic Park) 7:30pm, Wednesday 29th July. Heidelberg United fans should use the nearby Broadmeadow Station for convenient access to the ground (less than 10 mins walk).


Sunday 12 July 2015

PRESSURE ON NORTHERN NSW IN FFA CUP

This year's performance in the FFA Cup is vital for Northern NSW. After both of last year's representatives crashed out in the first round of the competition proper, there is considerable pressure on the region's teams to progress beyond the Round of 32.

Northern NSW National Premier League leaders Edgeworth FC will be extreme underdogs when they face the A-League's richest club Melbourne City in the FFA CUP Round of 32. That match a virtual write off for NNSW, the region will look to Broadmeadow Magic who have been drawn against Victorian NPL club Heidelberg United.

Broadmeadow is currently running 5th in the Northern NSW NPL, seven points adrift of in form Edgeworth FC. The Magic wont be lacking motivation after crashing out of the Round of 32 in extra time last year. The suburban Newcastle outfit hosted Brisbane Strikers and took a 1-nil lead in the 58th minute but the Queenslanders struck back two minutes later, and crushed the hosts with a goal in the 103rd minute.

Broadmeadow's opponents Heidelberg are sitting second in the highly regarded Victorian NPL, and will be favourites despite travelling to Newcastle's Magic Park on July 29th. The 'Bergers' as they're nicknamed have a couple of former fringe Melbourne Victory players in Steven Pace and Daniel Vasilevski. Heidelberg have also recruited former Southampton reserves player Luke Byles into defence, while 21 year old Kaine Sheppard, another English lower league player is top scorer at the club. Adding some more A-League flavour is Griffin McMaster between the sticks.

Though both Heidelberg and Melbourne City are expected to win, there is pressure on Edgeworth and Broadmeadow as continued failings will lead to questioning of the merits of Northern NSW being granted two automatic entrants into the Round of 32.

Already this year the NSW NPL's quota of seven entrants has been cut to five. This move has allowed the Northern Territory to gain one entrant, that being Darwin Olympic. Meanwhile, Australian NPL Champions Metro Stars SC have also gained automatic entry at the expense of the NSW NPL.

The fact that a South Australian club has the Australian NPL title, yet is only designated one automatic entrant won't be lost on many crow-eaters, and the folk at FFA should brace for maximum tweetage, if a repeat performance is acted out.