Results Wrap: Australia Cup South Australia Preliminary Round 3

The Australia Cup South Australian Preliminary Round 3 action kicked off across the state on Friday 10^th February with immediate immense competition across all league sides, extra-time drama and pulsating penalty shootouts.

State League 1 side, Fulham United are exit-bound after State League 2 outfit, Seaford Rangers FC were able to equalise in the second half to push the game to extra time. The additional 30 minutes couldn’t separate the sides as the score stood at one goal apiece. Seaford Rangers eventually prevailed 5-4 on penalties to see themselves through to the next round after overcoming some hefty competition.

Saturday saw the competition travel all the way to Naracoorte, with newly-promoted State League 1 team, Adelaide Omonia Cobras facing unknown opposition in Limestone Coast’s 2022 semi-finalists Naracoorte United. Whilst the scoreline finished 0-5 in favour of metropolitan Adelaide side, Omonia Cobras, thanks to braces from Luigi Ditroia and Perry Mitris, the opportunity to build the profile of the game within the region and the support from the local community was palpable.

The final day of Round 3 fixtures undoubtedly provided the closest results amongst cross-league sides and the biggest ‘cupset’ of the competition thus far.

CSL side, Rostrevor Old Collegians pushed State League 2 Western Strikers until the end, nipping at their heels with a 92^nd minute goal to ensure Western Strikers never felt comfortable. Goals from Anthony Dimas and an own-goal from Joseph Pipicella had Strikers up early, but an injury-time goal from Luca Migliaccio inspired Rostrevor Old Collegians until the final whistle.

The biggest result was saved for the final game of the round, with SAASL side Ghan United hosting State League One big guns, Para Hills Knights SC. Para Hills looked to be on script early, opening the scoring in the 5^th minute, however the pressure from Ghan United meant it was all one-way traffic after that. Ghan United equalised in the 24^th, with both teams going into the sheds at half-time on even playing ground. With what could have only been an inspirational team talk for Ghan United at the break spurred the team to an emphatic second half with almost immediate effect, taking the lead in the 46^th. Ghan could have extended their lead further, missing a penalty in the 53^rd, however they didn’t drop their heads as they continued their barrage of goals in the 79^th, 88^th, and 92^nd, including an Abbasi hattrick. Para Hills attempted to make a late run home, minimising the damage in the 91^st and 95^th through Mitev slotting home two penalties, however it was too little, too late.

The draw for the next round of Australia Cup South Australian Preliminary Rounds is set to take place on Monday 20^th February. Stay tuned to Football South Australia Facebook and YouTube accounts for all the live-draw action!