The National Premier League clubs enter the Fourth Round of FFA Cup qualifying this weekend and South Melbourne FC has been drawn against Keysborough Soccer Club. The match will be played at Northcote City’s John Cain Reserve on Saturday lunchtime.
As South was drawn before Keysborough in the live draw conducted by Football Federation Victoria on Tuesday, it reserved the right to host the game. With Lakeside Stadium unavailable this weekend due to the Formula One Grand Prix however, South decided to partner with Northcote City and host a double-header at John Cain Reserve (Northcote will host St Albans following the South game).
Keysborough are in Zagame’s State League Four – effectively the sixth tier of Victorian football – and is possibly the lowest-ranked opponent that South has ever come up against in a competitive fixture. South has only entered FFA Cup qualifying in this round but Keysborough have already played three matches to get to this stage. They defeated Darebin United 4-2 in the first round (28 February), Old Melburnians 2-1 in the second round (5 March) and then thumped the Northern Falcons 5-0 in the third round last Sunday.
It is expected that South coach Chris Taylor will make changes to his team for Saturday’s match, having started the same eleven in all four PS4 NPL Victoria matches so far this season. Having the cup tie only five days after Monday’s tough league match at Bulleen and then only having a five day buffer before the next league match at Richmond (Thursday night) is another reason why Taylor will make changes.
Starting berths may be given to players like Zaim Zeneli in goal, Kristian Konstantinidis, Philzgerald Mbaka, Mathew Theodore, Amadu Koroma, Luke Eyles, Chris Irwin, Andy Kecojevic, Leigh Minopoulos and Stephen Hatzikostas. Eyles, Mbaka and Minopoulos played in the Under 20s against Bulleen on Monday night whilst Kecojevic, Hatzikostas and Theodore (who scored) came off the bench to help change the Senior Men’s game as South scored two late goals to pinch a draw.
Saturday’s match against Keysborough SC kicks off at 12:15pm. 2016 SMFC members are entitled to FREE entry until 1pm by showing their membership card at the gate. Following the conclusion of our match, Northcote City will host St Albans at 3pm.