Craigieburn City’s brave FFA Cup run has come to an end, with the state league 5 side knocked out in the second round.
Having won through to the main draw in the second qualifier, City was the only state league 5 side to make it through to the second round.
On Saturday, City managed to stay with state league 3’s Monbulk Rangers until half-time, before a couple of costly errors and lower fitness levels precipitated City’s 2-0 loss.
Speaking before the match, City coach Michael Loche said there had been plenty of positive signs in their FFA Cup run, including winning the round one match with 10 players for most of the game.
He said despite having two wins in the cup, attention was already on the bigger picture – the state league 5 north season. City finished fourth in its inaugural season last year.
“We obviously had a decent year first up,” Loche said. “The first year we were an unknown, and we had that in the back pocket.
“We’re not going to be happy with the same result this year.
“We’re aiming a bit higher this season. If we have a good run with injuries, I think we should be challenging for a top two [and promotion] spot.”
Loche said it would be a different looking side, with just six or seven of the squad remaining.
On the weekend they announced the high profile signing of ex-professional Jordan Connerton. Loche said the new playing group had bought into the rapidly expanding club’s vision.
“We’ve recruited a couple of players from higher leagues and signed a player from England,” he said. “There’s some under-18s from last year who have come up as well. We’re the pioneers … we’re building the culture … players want to be part of that.”
Loche said the club’s junior program and female soccer were also growing, and more women’s players are being sought.
In other FFA Cup round 2 matches, Mill Park defeated Fawkner 2-0, Hume United trumped Golden Plains, 3-1, Sporting Whittlesea smashed Northern Falcons 6-1, La Trobe University beat Collingwood City 2-1, Whittlesea United beat Heidelberg Stars 4-3 and Greenvale United beat Chisholm United 6-4.
