The first opportunity for a potential upset in the 2016 Westfield FFA Cup Qualifiers: Canberra comes on Thursday evening when State League 1 side Lanyon United meet Capital League O’Connor Knights at Hawker Football Centre. The high-flying Lanyon, currently second on their ladder and with three wins to their name this season, will be out to pinch a cup scalp with the Knights standing in their way.
“We are entering the Westfield FFA Cup as we feel that our current crop of young, talented players can really test some of the more established teams and clubs within the ACT region and beyond,” Club Media Officer Nigel Rixon commented. “The team is composed of our Lanyon State League Division 1 team, most of whom have been playing together for the last four years. Under new coach Marcus McKillop, they are currently three wins and one loss this season, and are looking to build on a strong start to the year with a strong Westfield FFA Cup showing this coming Thursday.”
Lanyon took part in the Qualifiers last season and put up a spirited display in their 0-5 Round 4 defeat to PlayStation 4® National Premier Leagues side Monaro Panthers after receiving a bye to that stage of the competition and, according to Rixon, the club are very focused on the match ahead.
“Our current goal is to focus on our upcoming match against the O'Connor Knights this Thursday and come away with a win, progressing to the next round of the Cup,” he said. “The goal for the tournament is to be competitive for the matches we play in and show that on any given day, anything can happen. The Cup is important as it delivers an opportunity for smaller clubs to ‘show their wares’ in a tournament setting, allowing the club to nurture talent and grow through the experience.”
Chandar Shekhar Nair is the team’s current top scorer with four goals this season with James Downie, a Lanyon stalwart on two. But the whole squad has plenty to offer and should put up a challenging fight for the Knights who have blown hot and cold so far in the Capital League, winning just one of four matches played to date. “To be honest the whole squad is electric, and on their day all worth a mention,” Rixon commented. “Keep your eyes peeled for team talisman, Centre-Half (and Captain) Frank Calabria, the ever rampant Nicholas Grant and new kid on the block Liam Carey.”
Westfield FFA Cup action at Hawker Football Centre commences at 7pm with the winners in the pot alongside the PS4 NPL teams for the draw on Wednesday 4th May at Westfield Woden.
WESTFIELD FFA CUP QUALIFIERS
ROUND 3
Thursday 28th April
Lanyon United (SL1) v O’Connor Knights (CL)
(Hawker Football Centre, 19:00)