Tom Briscoe was on fire as West Adelaide eliminated Campbelltown City from Round 1 of Westfield FFA Cup Qualifying with a thrilling 3-2 extra time victory at Steve Woodcock Sports Centre on Saturday. 

Briscoe netted twice to put West Adelaide ahead at the interval, erasing Valentino Yuel’s opener. Iain Fyfe sent the match to extra time, but in a hard-fought additional period it was Briscoe who proved the difference. 

West Adelaide coach Paul Pezos was impressed by the determination his side displayed to advance to the next round. 

“To get the win was pleasing. And the guys fought hard to get it,” Pezos stated. 

“Tom put his chances away, but both goalkeepers pulled off some great saves. It was a finals-like game, just fantastic throughout. 

“We showed improvement in how hungry we were and by showing plenty of character. That was pleasing for me.” 

Campbelltown coach Joe Mullen was disappointed, but couldn’t fault the effort shown by his players. 

“It was a good game, worthy of a final. It was end-to-end, both teams had a go and the respective goalkeepers did well. Credit to both sides,” Mullen said. 

“It’s disappointing because this is a competition we wanted to go further in. But now we will fully concentrate on the league, starting with the game on Monday. 

“If we play games like we did this one I think we’ll win more than we’ll lose.” 

Briscoe fired a warning inside 10 minutes following Yudai Yamaguchi’s pass, his shot thumping the post. 

He was again denied a moment later, Ben Moore pulling off a fine save after Briscoe got his head to Ricardo Da Silva’s cross. 

It was Campbelltown who took the lead after 18 minutes. Jake Monaco played in Yuel with a fine flick and the winger was able to slide his shot past the advancing Lewis Moss. 

The Blue and Whites equalised when Yamaguchi found Lewis Vallelonga out wide and his instantaneous cross was met by a crisp, first-time Briscoe finish that gave Moore no chance. 

The visitors were ahead at half time as Nathan Andijanto’s centre was met by Da Silva, whose blocked shot gave Briscoe the chance to sweep in his second. 

The Red Devils were back on level terms just prior to the hour mark as Fyfe clipped a free kick over the defensive wall and past Moss, who was rooted to the spot. 

Yuel came close to putting Campbelltown ahead, his shot from a corner stopped by a combination of Moss and the woodwork. 

Christian Verbi and Briscoe combined to give Alex Jackson a late chance, only for his attempt to drift the wrong side of the post. 

Moore and Briscoe renewed their duel in extra time with the goalkeeper performing a double save to frustrate the striker. 

Yet Briscoe was smiling at the end as he pounced on a Campbelltown defensive error four minutes into the second period. He finished past Moore to grab his third and send West through to the next round.

Article by Luca Cetta - @l_cetta