The Football NSW section of the 2019 FFA Cup was drawn this afternoon with a record 13 Football South Coast clubs in the hat for Round 2 and 3 along with State League outfit South Coast Flame.

Round 2 is expected to get underway on the 12th of March with three local sides drawn out at this stage including Wollongong United and FFA Cup newcomers University of Wollongong and Fernhill.

Illawarra Mercury Premier League side Wollongong United begin their journey away to Fairfield Bulls SC with the winner hosting Old Barker FC in the third round.

University are the only Peoplecare District League team in this year’s tournament and they will welcome Leeton United who compete in Wagga Wagga’s Pascoe Cup competition. A win for the Students will earn them another home tie, this time against Gladesville Ravens.

Fernhill will be away in the opening round with a trip to Bankstown RSL Dragons. Foxes coach Bruce Tilt is aiming to build upon his side’s competitive return to the top flight in 2018 and he believes the nation-wide knockout is a chance to do just that.

"After taking some really good results [in 2018] the club and the players had the appetite to extend themselves and the FFA Cup is a great opportunity to do that," Tilt said.

"We go out there to win every game and we have had a good preseason so far.”

"All the players know they are fighting for spots this year and they see the FFA Cup as a real opportunity to go to another level."

A win for the Foxes would see them take on South Coast Flame at the newly redeveloped Ian McLennan Park.

Four Community League sides have been drafted in at the third round with three lucky enough to be drawn at home.

Coledale Waves - who last season became the first Community League side to enter the FFA Cup - will host Budgewoi FC from the Central Coast while IFS Community Wolves have been drawn against NPL3 outfit Stanmore Hawks.

Albion Park City Razorbacks have also received a home draw in perhaps the most interesting local tie of the round. The side who earned promotion to Community League Division 1 last season will take on Coniston who themselves have just been promoted to the Premier League.

Gerringong Breakers who have only joined FSC this year from the Shoalhaven District Football Association will play their first competitive match against Woy Woy FC on the Central Coast.

The remaining five FSC sides are all from the Premier League and two have picked up home draws with Tarrawanna facing North Sydney FC and Wollongong Olympic playing Randwick City FC who were knocked out by the Albion Park White Eagles in 2018.

This year, the White Eagles begin their Cup run on the Central Coast against FFA Cup regulars Killarney Districts.

The reigning Premier League double winners Bulli won’t be far away as they will be in Gosford taking on Wyoming FC - the junior club of Central Coast Mariners captain Matt Simon.

Finally, Woonona return to the Cup after a year hiatus and they will travel to Sydney’s west to face Blacktown Workers.

Local NPL1 side Wollongong Wolves enter the competition in Round 4.

 

Full local draw - dates and venues TBA

 

Round 2 - expected to commence on 12 March

 

Match 1 - University of Wollongong vs Leeton United

Match 3 - Fairfield Bulls SC vs Wollongong United

Match 4 - Bankstown RSL Dragons FC vs Fernhill Foxes

 

Round 3 - expected to commence on 26 March

 

Match 20 - Woy Woy FC vs Gerringong Breakers FC

Match 21 - IFS Community Wolves vs Stanmore Hawks

Match 23 - Coledale Waves vs Budgewoi FC

Match 24 - South Coast Flame vs Winner of Match 4

Match 41 - Wollongong Olympic vs Randwick City FC

Match 44 - Albion Park City Razorbacks vs Coniston

Match 46 - Blacktown Workers FC vs Woonona Sharks

Match 52 - Wyoming FC vs Bulli

Match 53 - Tarrawanna Blueys vs North Sydney FC

Match 57 - Killarney District SC vs Albion Park White Eagles

 

Review by Dylan Arvela, on Twitter @dylanarvela

 

Image sourced from FFA