Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Getty Images

Palm Beach Sharks captain Justyn McKay won’t underestimate South Springvale after his side drew a home tie against the Victorians in the Westfield FFA Cup Round of 16.

South Springvale, a self-confessed “pub team”, play in the fourth-tier Victorian State League Division 1 and defeated South Cardiff on penalties in the Round of 32.

While McKay admitted his side are confident of their chances of advancing to the Quarter Finals, he is adamant it will still be a tough match against the Victorian minnows.

“It’s been a pretty favourable draw for us, and unless we were going to get one of the big A-League teams, then you would hope for one of the lowest seeded teams at home,” he said.

“It’s pretty much a dream draw in that sense really, but at the same they obviously have their incentive to get through to the final eight and play against one of the big boys.”

“They’re going to be really up for it and it will still be a tough game I think,” he added.

Palm Beach are further buoyed by being drawn as the home side in the next round after defeating Hakoah Sydney City 2-1 in a wet, windy and cold night in Sydney on Tuesday night.

“It’s always good to be at home and hopefully we will get a few people out to watch it and it will create a bit of publicity for the club and the team,” McKay said.

He added that his teammates were subdued following their win in the Round of 32 – which club officials described as one of the most famous in the club’s history.

“Everyone was pretty tired out to be honest. It was a pretty long day,” McKay explained.

“We sat around and had a chat for a while and then everyone went to bed quite early, so there were no wild celebrations or anything.”

McKay has cup experience following his time in England, where he played for Swindon as well as being part of a cup run with Bassingstoke Town in the 2006/07 season.

“We got to the second round proper when we beat Chesterfield of League Two in the first round and then we took Aldershot, our local rivals, to a replay in the second round and got beat.”

“That was a really good experience. We had five thousand at both grounds and we got on Match of the Day, which is a big highlights show in England.”

He said he was drawing on that experience to further inspire his young teammates as they seek to extend their run in the inaugural Westfield FFA Cup.

“These are the things you remember as you get older. The cup runs are really exciting and that anticipation of getting through and potentially drawing one of the big teams is what we are hoping for really,” McKay explained.

He added that Palm Beach want to make the most of their opportunity to fly for the flag for Gold Coast football on the national stage.

“We’re representing the Coast in the state league and we’re the top team on the Gold Coast, so in that sense it would be nice to have a little bit more support from the whole of the Gold Coast,” he explained.

Date and venue details for the Westfield FFA Cup Round of 16 fixture will be confirmed on Monday.