FOUR North Coast Football clubs are still alive in this year’s Australia Cup, the nation-wide knockout tournament featuring clubs from across the country.

Bellingen FC, Boambee Bombers, Coffs City United Lions, and the Coffs Coast Tigers have all progressed to the next round of the Australia Cup preliminary matches.

Last season’s Round of 64 participants the Coffs City United Lions have started their Australia Cup campaign in fine fashion, overcoming Lismore Richmond Rovers 4-3 and beating Camden Haven Redbacks 6-1.

The Lions now play Port Macquarie-based Iona FC in their fourth-round match this Saturday afternoon at the Coffs Football Centre.

Coffs Coast Tigers booked their place in Round 4 with a 10-0 win against the Taree Wildcats.

The Tigers will now meet Bellingen FC in an all-North Coast Football showdown on Saturday afternoon at the Coffs Football Centre, with Bellingen having progressed after receiving a forfeit from the Wingham Warriors.

The Boambee Bombers also progressed to the fourth round, doing it the hard way in defeating fellow North Coast Football side Northern Storm 11-10 on penalties after the match finished 2-2 at full-time.

The Bombers now play Tamworth club Oxley Vale Attunga in Round 4.

And it was the end of the road for the Nambucca Strikers Australia Cup campaign, going down 2-0 to Iona FC.

Last weekend’s other Australia Cup fixture at the new Coffs Football Centre saw the Port Macquarie Saints progress to the fourth round with a 1-0 victory against Kempsey Saints.

 

By Aiden BURGESS