There were goals galore and records smashed as the FFA Cup made a blistering return to Queensland across three entertaining days of Preliminary Round 2 action.
The South East Queensland section of the draw served up 180 goals in just 31 matches from Friday through to Sunday, with one particular strike setting a national new benchmark.
Check out the pick of the action in our YouTube highlights or CLICK HERE to see all the results and confirmed Preliminary Round 3 match-ups!
STUNNING START MAKES HISTORY
Goals rained in around the grounds all weekend but none came quicker than Shaun Robinson’s opener for Nerang Eagles in their resounding victory over Bribie Island.
The striker netted just 11.2 seconds into the game at Glennon Park on the Gold Coast, setting a new FFA Cup record for the quickest goal ever scored in the competition.
“Today we scored after 11 seconds and off the opposition kick off which was bizarre, but it was a great start for our first competitive game of the season,” Eagles head coach Lee Vernon said afterwards.
Vernon had plenty of reason to be happy as his side ran out 11-0 winners.
🛎 HISTORY MAKER! 🛎
The fastest goal in @FFACup history was scored over the weekend, with Nerang Eagles’ Shaun Robinson finding the net after just 1️⃣1️⃣.2️⃣ seconds!#FFACup #MagicOfTheCup pic.twitter.com/HIdfVEBh8t
— FFA Cup (@FFACup) February 14, 2021
WILLOWBURN WIN ROLLERCOASTER ON THE COAST
The inter-regional fixtures brought a fascinating element to events over the weekend as teams from different zones were given the chance to test themselves against fresh opposition.
The intrigue exploded into all-out entertainment on the Sunshine Coast, where Maroochydore Swans and South West Queensland’s Willowburn FC played out an absolute epic.
The visitors went ahead, fell behind, dragged themselves level and then fell behind again, only to force extra-time with another equaliser – the sixth goal of a remarkable 90 minutes.
The incredible encounter produced one last twist at the very end of extra-time as Willowburn advanced forward and squeezed in a late, late winner, completing a dramatic and memorable 4-3 triumph.
NOOSA COME UNSTUCK
It was a tough weekend for more than one Sunshine Coast team, with Noosa Lions consigned to an early exit.
The region’s reigning Premiers succumbed to a 2-0 defeat to Brisbane side AC Carina in one of the weekend’s more surprising results.
Two first-half goals – one a towering header, the other a tidy finish from the outside the area – sealed the unexpected scoreline at Brisbane Abruzzo Club.
Carina will hope their Preliminary Round 2 win is just the beginning of a long run towards the Round of 32.
THE ROAD AHEAD…
The next fixtures for the South East Queensland section have been confirmed as the eight Football Queensland Premier League (FQPL) 2 clubs join 42 other teams in the mix in Preliminary Round 3.
The highlights include an all-Brisbane clash as North Star host Albany Creek Excelsior, an enticing meeting between Gold Coast powerhouse Surfers Paradise Apollo and Brisbane Premier League outfit The Gap, and another Brisbane v Gold Coast battle involving The Lakes FC and Burleigh Heads.
FQPL 1 and National Premier Leagues (NPL) Queensland clubs come into contention in Preliminary Round 4.
CLICK HERE to watch the highlights from five FFA Cup Preliminary Round 2 games on our YouTube channel, or check out the Preliminary Round 3 fixture list right now!
And don’t forget to stay tuned to the Football Queensland website and social media channels for all the latest live stream information.
Image: Luke Sorensen
