White City prevailed over Salisbury United 4-2 in horrendous rain in round 2 of the Westfield FFA Cup at Frank Mitchell Park on Friday night. The onslaught of rain couldn’t dampen the excellent display of football as both teams gave their all.

City scored the game’s first with Stefan Cali hard running allowing him to smash a rebound from Herman Fombason back into the net. The first half ended with White City leading 1-0. Both sides looked lively and created many chances with United’s Andre Machochi looking dangerous.

The game took a dramatic twist when City’s Michael Keens attempted clearance found its way into his own net. Thankfully for Keens and City, debutant James Canny scored a wonder goal. Whether he meant to cross it or he was aiming for the net, it counted and City looked to advance. It wasn’t to be as Andre Machochi produced a blaster from outside the box to make it 2-2 and send the game into extra time.

City’s stamina and poise held them in good stead as goals from Lachlan Barr and Nikola Mileusnic finished off a dramatic night.

City’s Chahine Noujaim praised his side’s effort in the context of some testing conditions.

“All factors aside the lads really tried to play some decent football and in patches it did look good, other times we had no choice but to clear the danger and take a more route 1 approach with long balls.”

Noujaim was also happy with his team sticking together despite the hurdles they faced.

“Obviously conceding in the last minute of normal time is disappointing however it is always good to experience a match with extra time especially for those who have never experienced it before.”

James Canny produced one of the more special goals of the round and Noujaim said it was one of the highlights of the night.

“Yes James on debut did produce a belter, being his first game and goal we told him we would let him have the credit as long as he kept his mouth quiet and never spoke about it ever again.”

“The rest of us were more than happy that it went in and gave us the lead after some terrific build up play.”

While Salisbury United’s run may have ended, their Senior Coach Carmine Lauriello said they did their name no harm with its performance.

“You play these teams and their clinical, they get once chance and they take it.”

Lauriello was proud of the way his side fought their more fancied opponents.

“I thought first half was well fought. Second half we started pressuring again and with 10 minutes to go we made some changes.”

“I thought we held our own and we performed very well. We were very proud of the boys.”

Lauriello also saw the game as a chance for his side to learn what’s required to take the next step.

“We learned that we are not far off in competing with the bottom four or five bottom NPL teams, we just need to be more clinical.”

“In terms of fitness I don’t think we were far off but credit to them, they didn’t get many chances but they were clinical with their chances.”

Article by Matthew Carcich - @Matt_Carcich