The fourth round of the FFA Cup saw seven Illawarra sides attempt to make their way through to the fifth round, with five of them winning their matchups and getting one step closer to the national draw.

The first Illawarra matchups took place on April 4, starting with Albion Park White Eagles taking on Randwick City at Terry Reserve. The White Eagles got off to a bright start, with Cody Wehmeyer opening the scoring for the hosts, before a goal from Sean Kennedy had the White Eagles two up at the half-time break. Randwick City would attempt to work their way back into the match and would score a goal in the second half, but a goal from Chris Gomez secured a 3-1 win for Albion Park and a spot in the next round.

Elsewhere on the 4^th, Wollongong Olympic took on Kenthurst and District at Ray Robinson Field and it was Olympic who continued their strong cup run, running out 7-0 winners in a dominant display. Olympic has now scored 31 goals in their three FFA Cup matches this season, and the side will be hoping their hot streak continues in the next round of the competition.

Finally, NPL side Wollongong Wolves also booked their ticket to the next round as expected when they ran out 3-0 winners against a stubborn Kellyville Kolts side that made the home side work for their passage.

With a further three FFA Cup fourth round matches featuring Illawarra sides this week, it was a chance for more teams to progress from this region. Tarrawanna Blueys took on NPL 2 side Macarthur Rams at Memorial Park on Wednesday night. With the Rams running a close to full-strength side, Tarrawanna took the match to the visitors and were rewarded with the opening goal of the match. Jacob Fryday opening the scoring for the Blueys in the 24^th minute with a neat finish from inside the box.

Tarrawanna would go two goals up in the 34^th minute when Jake Morlando headed home from close range to give the hosts a surprising 2-0 lead at the half-time break. Tarrawanna would then secure their spot in the next round with a strong defensive performance in the second-half as they ran out 2-0 winners.

Meanwhile, State League side South Coast Flame would be the only Illawarra side travelling out of region for their fourth round clash, heading up to Jensen Park to face fellow State League side FC Gazy Auburn and despite a tense first half, neither side managed to score. Gazy Auburn however would open the scoring shortly after the start of the second half through Javier Salinas.

Flame weren’t going away though. Matt Mazevski won and converted a penalty levelling the scores on 70 minutes. Despite having a player sent off, Gazy would break Flame hearts in the dying moments of the match when Salinas would pick up his second goal through an unfortunate deflection and end the Flame’s maiden cup run as they bowed out 2-1.

Match Report from Dylan Arvela (South Coast Flame v Gazy Auburn)

In the final matchup and in an all-Illawarra affair, District League side Coniston took on Premier League heavyweights Bulli in front of a bumper crowd at JJ Kelly Park. Despite a strong attacking start from Coniston, it was the visitors who got on the board quickly. Dylan Lewis taking advantage of a scramble in the Coniston box to send Bulli in front after just six minutes.

However, Coniston would level the scores in the 27^th minute when Dinko Terzic would grab a loose ball in the Bulli box and fire it past keeper Jayden Lewis and equalize to the delight of the Coniston fans. Neither side was able to break through and find a second goal in the opening half, leaving it all still to play for in the final 45 minutes.

While both sides came close numerous times in a tense opening to the second period, it was Bulli who broke through once again in the 68^th minute when a free-kick from Tobin Zoomers was fumbled by Ben McGinnes, rolling back into the goal. It was heartbreaking mistake from the Coniston gloveman that put Bulli 2-1 in front with just over twenty minutes to play.

Coniston would continue to push forward seeking a late equalizer, but Bulli would finally put the result beyond all doubt in the 85^th minute when Dylan Lewis would storm through for his second goal of the match with a well-placed finish to secure a 3-1 win for Bulli and a spot in the next round.

The draw for the fifth round will occur on Friday 20 April, with matches due to be played on Wednesday 2 May.

Report by Cal Behrendt, on Twitter @CalBehrendt

Photo credit: Josh Brightman