Waratah/FFA Cup Preview: Illawarra Premier League teams

The draw for the NSW Waratah Cup has been completed and the region will be represented by seven Illawarra Premier League clubs.

Albion Park White Eagles, Dapto Dandaloo Fury, Woonona Sharks, Bulli FC and Port Kembla will be vying for the seven available FFA cup spots on offer against 97 other teams from New South Wales.

The draw pits 80 teams in the third round before 24 others from the state’s top leagues join in the fourth round.

Albion Park White Eagles:

The club will be making its first appearance in the cup this year.  For the first round they have been given a bye so they automatically go into the fourth round of the competition where they will play Sydney University on Wednesday, 20 April. 

Potential opponents depending on results could be Bulli in the fifth round and if victorious in that game, the White Eagles could be lining up against NSW Premier League powerhouse, Rockdale City Suns.

Wollongong United:

Wollongong United will be making its third appearance in this year’s cup.  Their best finish came in the 2013 edition which saw them knock off Blacktown Spartans and Sydney United, before they were knocked out by St George in the quarter finals.  Wollongong United has been given a bye in the third round.

If United progress to the sixth round, they could potentially be facing up against league rivals, Port Kembla.

Bulli:

Bulli are another team going into the tournament with previous experience, having appeared in 2010, 2012 and 2013.  The furthest they’ve progressed is the fourth round back in 2013, where they were defeated by Sydney United.

Bulli have been handed a third round bye, placing them automatically in the fourth round.  If they progress past the fourth round it sets up a possible mouth-watering local derby against Albion Park White Eagles.

Port Kembla:

Port Kembla are another team entering with previous cup experience.  A fourth round appearance in 2013 has been the club’s best finish.  For this year’s tournament, they’ve been drawn to face Shoalhaven based club, Callala Brumbies.

If Port Kembla progress to the fifth round either Marconi Stallions or Sutherland Sharks will be waiting.  If they win that game then a meeting with Wollongong United in the sixth round becomes a possibility.

Dapto Dandaloo Fury:

The Fury have entered the competition every year since 2010.  Their most successful run was back in 2012 where they were losing semi-finalists against Sutherland Sharks.  Like Port Kembla and Woonona, they too have been handed a third round fixture, this a home tie against Pennant Hills FC.

Dapto Dandaloo’s draw would see them avoid any state league opposition up until the sixth round, where they could face Sydney United or APIA Leichardt.

Woonona Sharks:

The 2015 Waratah Cup will see the tournament debut of Woonona FC.  The Sharks have been handed a third round home tie against central coast outfit, Southern and Ettalong United.

Woonona’s draw has separated them from their Illawarra Premier League counterparts, meaning no local derbies in the tournament’s earlier stages.  Their toughest assignment could be a date with St George FC of the New South Wales Premier League if they make the fifth round.

The NSW Waratah Cup is the qualification route to the FFA Cup, a national knockout competition that includes teams from association and state level, National Premier Leagues, right through to the Hyundai A-League.

The third round will take place on March 14 and 15.

By Peter Prandalos.