THE Coffs City United Lions have come close to making the final 32 teams of the nation-wide knockout competition known as the Football Federation Australia (FFA) Cup.

The Lions were knocked out of this year’s competition going down 1-0 to National Premier Leagues Northern NSW team Newcastle Olympic in their Round 7 match at Lake Macquarie.

The Coastal Premier League ladder leaders continued their top form in their two FFA Cup matches in Lake Macquarie.

The Lions won their Round 6 match in thrilling fashion against NPL Northern NSW team Lake Macquarie City on their home ground at Lake Macquarie.

The Lions progressed to the seventh round after prevailing 5-4 in a penalty shootout, after the scores were locked at 3-3 after extra-time.

The Lions took a 1-0 lead after a Jamila Oke goal in the 25th minute.

Lake Macquarie City scored the next two goals before Martin Kelleher saved the day for the Lions, scoring with just four minutes remaining to send the match into extra time.

Chris Dooley gave the Lions the lead five minutes into the second half of extra-time, before Lake Macquarie City dramatically sent the game to a penalty shootout after scoring in added time of the second extra time.

Lions coach Glen Williams shared with News Of The Area the pride he felt towards his side’s efforts against two of the best teams in Northern NSW.

“The first thing I told the boys after the second game was how proud of them I was,” he said.

“I was proud of their efforts and also the way they represented the club was outstanding.

“We were playing a game against a team (Newcastle Olympic) that trains four nights a week and has an ex-Socceroo in Joel Griffiths as a coach, so they should be proud.”

Williams said his side faced different conditions playing at Lake Macquarie.

“The refereeing was a little bit different as they let the play go a bit more, and playing on a synthetic field sounds warm and fuzzy, but it’s tough on the body and the boys were sore in spots on the body they hadn’t been before.”

The proud coach said his Lions side had represented North Coast Football well in the prestigious national competition.

“I got messages from all over telling me we had represented the region well,” he said.

“And the boys should be very proud.”

The Lions are on the road again this weekend when they take on the Port Saints during Round 10 of the Coastal Premier League.

 

By Aiden BURGESS