Earlier this afternoon Football Federation Victoria’s Head of NPL and WPL Liam Bentley conducted the draw for Round 7 of the FFA Cup Victoria. Matches will be held mid-week during the weeks starting the 15th June and 22th June, with the precise fixtures soon to be announced. The winners of this Round 7 will qualify into the Group of 32 for the FFA Cup and also the semi-finals of the Victorian Dockerty Cup.
South Melbourne vs Frankston Pines
South Melbourne come into the match having defeated Whittlesea United 0-5, North Sunshine Eagles 8-0 and then 3-1 over Melbourne Knights last Friday in yet another amazing exhibition of the cross-town rivalry between these two clubs. Between now and the next FFA Cup round South Melbourne will travel to George Andrews Reserve to take on Dandenong Thunder and then host Werribee City at Lakeside Stadium.
Frankston Pines are one of two State League 1 teams remaining in the FFA Cup Victoria qualifiers. Their journey stated with a 2-4 win over Moreland United shortly followed by a 5-1 victory over Kings Domain at home. At home again, it was two extra-time goals over Morwell Pegasus which saw the Pines through to last weekends match. A tough match in blustery conditions saw just one goal from Bran Blumenthal as enough to topple NPL team Avondale FC. The Pines are back at home this week against Noble Park United before travelling to Casey Comets FC in their last hit out before the FFA Cup fixture with South Melbourne.
Hume City vs Kingston City
Hume City have grown significantly this year both on and off the pitch. Their road thus far in the FFA has seen them host Riversdale SC for a 5-0 win and then Geelong SC for a 4-0 win. This weekend they were on the road to Morshead Park where they were able to account for a solid but unfortunate Ballarat Red Devils with a 1-2 result. City are currently sitting fifth in the NPL and have two challenging matches before their next FFA Cup fixture. The first is away at Northcote City and the second back at their home of ABC Stadium against last years NPL runners up Oakleigh Cannons. These matches will certain put Hume through their paces in the lead up to the FFA Cup match against Kingston.
Kingston City have certainly had the most impressive run of the FFA Cup Victoria this year. The challenging draw saw them first up they hosted NPL team Dandenong Thunder and secured a 3-2 result. Next it was yet another NPL team this time on the road securing an 0-1 win over Green Gully. On the road again at BT Connor Reserve this weekend they downed State One team Preston Lions 0-4. City are currently positioned third on the ladder in the NPL1 East with nine wins from their fourteen matches this season. Over the next fortnight they play two home matches against the Springvale White Eagles and Ballarat Red Devils before meeting Hume in the mid-week FFA Cup clash at ABD Stadium.
South Springvale vs Oakleigh Cannons
South Springvale continue their glory run from last year and are the sole Victorian FFA Cup team from 2014 still in the running. The path they have taken in 2015 has seen them topple Western Suburbs 3-2, Casey Comets 0-1, NPL1 team Box Hill United 2-1 and then this weekend they downed NPL outfit the North Geelong Warriors 2-1 at home. South Springvale are the second of the State League 1 teams remaining in the FFA Cup and they sit fourth on the ladder with six wins from their ten matches. In the coming weeks they face Morwell Pegasus at home before travelling to Dallas Brooks Park to take on Mornington SC.
Oakleigh Cannons finished second in the 2014 NPL and the first half of 2015 hasn’t seen them replicate their success of last year. They have however turned the corner and are on the way up. Their path through FFA Cup qualifying saw them demolish Corio SC 12-0 before returning to home where they scraped through 5-4 on penalties over Richmond SC and last weekend defeated Bendigo City 5-1. Currently eighth on the NPL ladder following their poor start to the season, the Cannons have a tough match with Melbourne Knights at home then travel to Hume City before their FFA Cup fixture with South Springvale.
Heidelberg United vs Goulburn Valley Suns
Heidelberg United are on song this year and have recorded wins including: 0-7 over Truganina Hornets, 2-5 over Langwarrin, and finally returning to their home of Olympic Village where they downed Caulfield United Cobras 5-0. Heidelberg United currently sit second on the NPL Victoria ladder, a point behind league leaders Bentleigh Greens who were knocked out of the FFA Cup by the Ballarat Red Devils last round. The Bergers will host Port Melbourne at home this weekend before travelling to Kingston Heath in a fortnight for what will be an NPL top two battle with Bentleigh Greens. It will be a big match for Heidelberg and the perfect preparation for their mid-week hit out against the GV Suns for a place in the FFA Cup.
Goulburn Valley are having a positive year following relegation from the NPL in 2014. Their eight wins from 14 matches in the NPL1 East has supported their three wins in the FFA Cup so far this year. The first two matches were at home in Shepparton where they accounted for Whittlesea Ranges 3-2 and Mazenod United 2-0. They then traveled to Clifton Park where they comfortably accounted for Essendon Royals 3-2, despite conceding a stoppage time penalty. The Suns are playing at home for the next two weeks against Whittlesea United and Melbourne Victory. Victory currently lead the NPL1 East and their form of late will give Goulburn Valley the best possible preparation before they meet Heidelberg United.