The FFA Cup Rd 4 draw marks the beginning of the David and Goliath fixtures that so often characterizes this stage of the competition when the 34 NPL teams enter the pool alongside the surviving 30 State League teams.
Whilst most of the State League clubs remaining are from the higher divisions, one club bucking that trend is Greek based State League 5 team Waverley Wanderers also known as Waverley AEK.
Having qualified for the FFA Cup Rd 4 with three good wins in earlier rounds, against East Bentleigh, Hampton Park United and a Rd 3 upset knocking out State League 2 outfit Brandon Park, the Wanderers will give themselves some chance of causing yet another upset having drawn State League three team Lalor United in Round 4.
In the midweek draw, six of the nine Greek based NPL 1 and 2 clubs were drawn against lower ranked State League teams.
NPL 1 clubs Bentleigh Greens ( v Warragul United), Heidelberg United ( v Keilor Park) , South Melbourne (v Essendon Royals), Oakleigh Cannons (v Beaumaris) and Kingston City (v St Kilda) will each face State League one opponents. All, with the exception of the Greens who will travel to Gippsland, will host their matches.
The other NPL 1 club, the Port Melbourne Sharks, has a trickier draw hosting NPL 2 club St Albans Saints.
The three NPL 2 Greek based clubs had mixed fortunes in the draw with Brunswick City receiving the most favourable tie away to State League 2 club Epping City. However the draw was less favourable for Northcote City and Box Hill United with both teams travelling to NPL 1 opponents Dandenong Thunder and Altona Magic respectively.
State League 1 team, Caulfield United Cobras hosts State League 2 club Boorondara Eagles.
The cup dates will be confirmed in the coming days, but are scheduled to take place in mid-late April.
FULL FOOTBALL VICTORIA FFA CUP ROUND FOUR DRAW:
• Geelong SC v Essendon United
• Pascoe Vale v Moreland City
• Sebastopol Vikings v Murray United
• Epping City v Brunswick City
• Hume City v Mill Park
• Heidelberg United v Keilor Park
• Caufield United Cobras v Boroondara Eagles
• Fitzroy City v Manningham United
• Dandenong Thunder v Northcote City
• Moreland Zebras v North Sunshine Eagles
• South Melbourne v Essendon Royals
• Eastern Lions v Caroline Springs George Cross
• Avondale FC v Mazenod Victory
• Corio v Langwarrin SC
• Altona Magic v Box Hill United
• Warragul United v Bentleigh Greens
• Casey Comets v Goulburn Valley Suns
• Kingston City v St Kilda
• North Geelong Warriors v Richmond SC
• Whittlesea Ranges v FC Strathmore
• Oakleigh Cannons v Beaumaris
• Springvale White Eagles v Eltham Redbacks
• Ballarat City v Westgate
• Upfield v Skye United
• Port Melbourne Sharks v St Albans
• Waverly Wanderers v Lalor United
• Werribee City v Green Gully
• Preston Lions v Dandenong City
• FC Bulleen Lions v Sandown Lions
• Sydenham Park v Banyule City
• Melbourne Knights v Mooroolbark
• Doveton v Point Cook