FFA Cup Match Preview: Blacktown City vs Central Coast Mariners

Blacktown City will be looking to cause another ‘Cupset’ when they take on Central Coast Mariners at Glen Willow Stadium in FFA Cup Round of 32 action on Saturday evening.

City claimed a famous win against the Mariners when the two sides last met in the Round of 32 with a 3-2 win thanks to goals from Joey Gibbs and Girgio Speranza in 2017.

Mark Crittenden’s side, who reached the Quarter Finals in both 2016 and 2017,  line up in the Round of 32 for a fifth time on Saturday evening against the Mariners.

The Demons qualified for the National Rounds courtesy of wins over Marconi Stallions, Blacktown Spartans, UTS and the Tarrawanna Blueys.

Blacktown sat top of the NPL NSW standings, four points clear of second placed Sydney United when the competition was abandoned as a result of the COVID enforced lockdown after 17 rounds.

Spearheading City’s attack will be Jordan Smylie, who made the switch from the Mariners last month and is in line to make his competitive debut for his new club against his former suitors on Saturday evening.

He’ll be joined in attack by another former Mariner in Mitch Mallia who returned to Blacktown after spending the 2021 NPL NSW season at Marconi.

Saturday’s match will be a first competitive game at the helm for new Central Coast Head Coach, Nick Montgomery.

The former Sheffield United midfielder took the top job following the departure of Alen Stajcic at the end of the 2020/21 Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s season.

A number of new recruits are in line to make their competitive debut’s for the club on Saturday evening including: Noah Smith, Cy Goddard, Moresche, Beni Nkololo, Yaren Sozer and Nicolai Muller.

The Mariners have played four friendlies leading into Saturday’s match, claiming victories over Sydney FC and Macarthur FC while suffering defeats to Wellington Phoenix and Western Sydney Wanderers.

Saturday’s match will be the first time the competition’s Final Rounds visits Mudgee, with the game set for the Glen Willow Stadium.

Blacktown City – who are the ‘hosts’ of the match – and Central Coast Mariners made the decision in tandem to take the game to Mudgee as travel opens up between Greater Sydney and regional NSW.

You can catch all the action from Saturday’s match live and free via 10 Play.

Blacktown City vs Central Coast Mariners
Date: Saturday, 13 October 2021, 5pm AEDT
Venue: Glen Willow Stadium, Mudgee
Broadcast: Live and free via 10 Play
Tickets: Buy here

International viewers can stream the game via our official YouTube channel.

How to watch the FFA Cup in 2021