No Images? Click here FFA CUP Round 7 | Saturday 9th June 2018 Well what a game it was on Saturday! We kicked off against Magpies Crusaders United with a place in the final 32 up for grabs. Things however did not start well for us as we looked out of sorts early on and squandered possession easily. Mackay continued to threaten us aerially as they launched a succession of long balls forward in what looked like a pre-determined game plan they had brought to beat us. The aerial bombardment brought its just rewards in only 10 minutes as the Mackay Right Winger stole in behind our back four to a long ball and thundered a shot past the on rushing Josh Wilson. Despite a resurgence from the home side we were unable to create anything of real threat and it wasn’t long until Mackay doubled their lead. A long ball again put the Mackay striker through on goal and Josh Wilson brought the striker down for a penalty which the away side duly converted. It looked as though the game was all but gone as the big Mackay striker Markham finished to put the away side 3-0 up going in to the break. We came out the second half well before the opposition and the huddle of the team in the centre of the pitch suggested that there was some real intent from the home team to get back in to the game. The second half started at a much higher tempo with Cairns FC dominating possession and creating some good early chances to get back in to the game. It just seemed a matter of time until we at least scored a consolation goal as the 60th minute mark saw the most dramatic 15 minutes of Cup football Barlow Park has ever witnessed. After a goalmouth scramble, in-form striker Josh Taylor swivelled in the box to convert the first of an unbelievable comeback. 4 minutes later it was stand-in attacking midfielder Harry Corica filling in for missing captain Jamie Carroll, who finished off a goalmouth scramble and put some life back in to the game and belief back in to the Barlow Park supporters. Cairns FC were completely dominating possession and only two minutes later Central Defender Fox Slotemaker found himself in a glorious position to steer a left foot strike across the Mackay goalkeeper to bring the match back on level terms at 3-3. Most teams would have held back but not our Cairns FC as they continued to bombard the Mackay goal and it took only until the 74th minute mark for Josh Taylor to add to the scoreline to send the Barlow faithful delirious. Only one minute later captain Crios O’Hare cemented the victory as he played it past the outstretched Mackay goalkeeper to make it 5-3 and bring the victory home for Cairns FC in spectacular fashion. The victory means that Cairns FC progress to the National Round of 32 and the opportunity to play against an A-League team here at Barlow Park. This Saturday we turn our attentions back to the league as we play away at Redlands in Brisbane. 5.30pm kick off. |