Sharks Take Bite Out Of Cup
Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Getty Images
Palm Beach Sharks became the third NPL Queensland club through to the Westfield FFA Cup Round of 16 with a 2-1 win over Sydney City Hakoah at Hensley Athletic Field on Tuesday night.
First half goals from Daniel Dragicevic and Kristian Rees proved decisive for the NPL Queensland league leaders, holding out a second half fightback from the Sydney club.
Dragicevic gave the visitors the perfect start barely two minutes into the contest, showing muscle to hold off his defender before slotting a clinical finish to open accounts.
Sharks continued to dominate the early exchanges as Troy Ruthven forced Hakoah goalkeeper Daniel Conway to tip a swerving free kick over the crossbar on ten minutes.
Daniel Grzic nodded wide of the target from Jonathon Camilleri’s cross before Sharks defender Rees headed home from a 17th minute corner with a well-timed run.
Hakoah threatened in spurts but failed to produce any clear cut chances forcing coach Mark Robertson to add attacking substitute Jarrod Basger into the fray just before the break.
The hosts came out with renewed vigour in the second stanza, but despite promising build-up continued to struggle to penetrate the Sharks defence.
Sharks continued to threaten as Camilleri shot over the bar from a speculative effort on 50 minutes for Sharks, while Daniel Grzic also shot high and wide nearing the hour mark.
Hakoah pulled a goal back on 68 minutes when former Adelaide United striker Lloyd Owusu steered in Neil Jablonski’s cross on the counter attack and against the run of play.
Sharks threatened to put the result beyond doubt as Ruthven nearly caught out Conway with an audacious attempt from half way in the final stages.
Chris Lucas spurned a further chance to seal the win with four minutes remaining, doing all the hard work to get in behind the line and round the keeper only to miscue his shot high and wide of the target.
Hakoah threated in time added on, however Owusu and Gavin Macpherson were unable to make the most of their half chances.
The win sees Sharks join fellow NPL Queensland clubs Brisbane Strikers and Olympic FC in the Westfield FFA Cup Round of 16, which will be drawn on LIVE on Fox Sports News this Friday at 5:15pm.
Sydney City Hakaoh 1 (Lloyd OWUSU 68’)
Palm Beach Sharks 2 (Daniel DRAGICEVIC 2’, Kristian REES 17’)
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