Port Melbourne SC returns to Knights Stadium to take on Melbourne Knights this Wednesday night in Seventh Round of FFA Cup Qualification, with the winning side set to move through to the national Round of 32 as well as the semi-finals of the Dockerty Cup.
The trip to Knights Stadium will be the second round in succession that Port Melbourne has travelled to venue, following their dramatic Sixth Round victory over St. Albans Saints SC on June 1. On that night goals to Adrian Zahra and James Riccobene saw the scoreline locked at 2-2 before an 89th minute penalty from David Stirton sealed progression to the next round for the Sharks. Prior to that, Port Melbourne had been dominant in this Cup campaign, with the Sharks defeating NPL2 sides Box Hill United & Sunshine George Cross by the identical scoreline of 6-1 on each occasion. Adrian Zahra and David Stirton have been prolific in the Cup run, with 5 & 4 goals respectively across the 3 games. The clash against the Knights provides Port Melbourne with the opportunity to make their first appearance in the FFA Cup Round of 32.
Melbourne Knights have also had their share of drama on their path to the Seventh Round, requiring goals in the 89th and 92nd minutes to pull off a come-from-behind victory against Oakleigh Cannons in the 5th Round of Qualification. Prior to that they had cruised past State League 3 South-East side Eltham Redbacks 7-0 and they reached the 7th Round courtesy of a 3-1 victory over NPL2 East’s Dandenong City. The Knights are coming off a 5-0 defeat away at Northcote City on the weekend and are seeking to return to the FFA Cup Round of 32 after making an appearance in the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2014, where they were knocked-out by Olympic FC from the NPL Queensland competition.
Melbourne Knights v Port Melbourne SC
7:30pm, Wednesday June 15, 2016.
Knights Stadium, Sunshine North
Twitter: Live updates from @PMSCSharks, #MKvPM #FFACup
