There was plenty at stake at Russell Reserve as NPL2 side Hills Brumbies played Kemblawarra Fury for a place in the final 32 teams in the FFA Cup. Both sides were eager to get the ball rolling in the frosty conditions, with both knowing their opposition were strong but beatable. Kemblawarra had defeated NPL 3 leaders, Fraser Park in the previous round while Hills knocked out Wollongong United 6-3.

As play kicked off in the icy conditions - the ball raced off the pitch and heads were steaming as the crowd gathered around the gas heaters on the sidelines.

The visitors nearly started off with a bang as Shane Murray found the run of Matthew McNab with a delicate aerial through ball, the striker rounding Hills goalkeeper Joshua Stancic but leaving the ball behind in the process.

Hills began to assert their dominance as Futsalroos brothers Wade and Greg Giovenali took control of central midfield - an area the Fury so often control in the IPL.

Inside ten minutes, Brendon Hoyer hit Wade Giovenali in the box, the midfielder running around the left foot shot to curl in at the near post with his right, Fury goalkeeper Mitchell Blowes guessing the wrong way.

Just after the quarter hour, the hosts had their second, this time Wade Giovenali turning provider. Beating two on the sideline with some silky skills, a defence-splitting pass put Nikolas Dimitriadis in behind the defence, chipping over Blowes who was in two minds about whether to advance for the ball or stay on the line.

On the half hour, it was 3-0 to the hosts as Wade Giovenali again tore the Fury defence wide open - beating two players on the edge of the area before a smothered clearance fell to Peter Cejka 18 yards from goal, the marksman calmly slotting home to his left.

The horrendous start was nearly made worse moments later. Nathan Rayner was allowed freedom on the left flank and a fingertip save from Blowes prevented the low shot from finding the far bottom corner, Cejka following up was agonisingly close to reaching the loose ball but he could not quite stretch far enough to poke home his second.

The panic had well and truly set in for Kemblawarra, the defence affording Dimitriadis space on the right, sending a powerful drive crashing into the upright from 25 yards.

Just before the interval, Hills found their fourth, Wade Giovenali chipping a ball to Rayner and sending him one-on-one with Blowes, slotting the ball under the gloveman.

The Fury worked their best chance of the match so far moments into the second half - Anthony Proia's left footed shot sneaking under Stancic only to roll just wide of the far post.

The pressure continued as Proia provided neat hold-up play, Kazuto Kushida unable to hit the target from 20 yards with Stancic worried.

The midfield strength of Kemblawarra began to show glimpses of shining - a big switch to Sam Matthews saw a strong volley hit the gloves of Stancic, and a 20 yard curled effort by McNab just missed the junction of the upright.

The Kemblawarra defence crumbled once more as Wade Giovenali chipped Blowes, the shot striking the upright, with substitute Victor Anymiba on hand to slot home the rebound for five.

With minutes remaining, Fury grabbed a pair of consolations goals. The first a quick free kick finding substitute Van Elia 18 yards out for a simple finish to the left of goal, before Murray snuck into the left side of the box and beat Stancic at his near post for 5-2 into injury time.

The midfield dominance of Wade Giovenali was a telling factor in the outcome of the match with 22-year-old playing a role in all five goals including his 7th-minute opener.

After the match Kemblawarra coach, Luke McGuire said, "Hills were very clinical up front and we started slowly, which really cost us, so we were always chasing the game… That's why they are playing NPL2, and we let ourselves down in the first half tonight, our second being quite dominant.”

"We had to rely on them being off their game, and they were instead exceptional for the most part. It was a great cup run - we beat two NPL sides (Camden and Fraser Park) on our way here."

"It is outstanding for the IPL to have two teams in round seven, and another in Round 6, and I don't think anyone would have expected that. It just goes to show the quality of the competition and that is a real positive for the Illawarra community."

Speaking to Football Alive, Hills coach, Dan Sheppard praised the IPL, "We knew they would be tough - they had Bulli facing Blacktown City tonight too and this was our second Illawarra team in a row. They have teams here for a reason."

Wednesday 31st May 2017 at Russell Reserve, Rouse Hill

Hills Brumbies - 5 (W. Giovenali 7', Dimitriadis 18', Cejka 30', Rayner 44', Anymiba 69')
Kemblawarra Fury - 2 (Elia 83' Murray 90')

Referee - T. Panaskos
Assistants - N. Farmer, J. Park

Hills Brumbies - J. Stancic, B. Robertson, W. Giovenali, E. Montford (Pace 73'), S. Mitchell, G. Giovenali, B. Hoyer, G. Kelshaw, N. Dimitriadis, N. Rayner (Anymiba 63'), P. Cejka Subs - A. Bruce, M. Viera, V. Anymiba, M. Toko, K. Pace

Kemblawarra Fury - M. Blowes, S. Wright, D. Hartas, F. Iacovelli, A. Ceccoli, S. Murray, S. Munro (Elia 80'), L. O'Connor, K. Kushida, A. Proia, M. McNab (Unicomb 75') Subs - D. Pender, V. Elia, S. Matthews, L. Unicomb, D. Zufic

Report by David Atherton, on Twitter @daveatho5

Photo credit - Hills Brumbies