THE magic of the Australia Cup returns for the Coffs City United Lions and Coffs Coast Tigers as they prepare to play their sixth round matches this weekend.
The Lions host Broadmeadow Magic on Saturday night at Forsyth Park, while the Coffs Coast Tigers will be in Newcastle on Saturday afternoon as they take on Cooks Hill United.
The winners progress to the seventh round where they will play for a spot in the national round of 32.
Coffs City United Lions take on a Magic team who sit first on the ladder in the NPL Northern NSW competition.
The Lions played off against NPL opposition this time last year, beating Lake Macquarie City in a penalty shootout before being knocked out of last year’s Cup by Newcastle Olympic 1-0.
Coffs Coast Tigers play off against a Cooks Hill United side who are currently in ninth spot in the same NPL competition.
Tigers coach Luke Stow was under no illusion of the challenge which awaited his side as the club played their first ever match against an NPL team.
“It’s going to very, very tough and I expect them to be very structured and very professional,” he said.
“It’s the first time we’ve played an NPL team, and we’ve probably drawn the better team out of the ones that are left as they are lower on the ladder.
“But in saying that they’ll still be a level above what we’re used to, but if we play well the opportunity is there to win the game.”
If both Coffs Harbour teams happen to win their sixth-round matches, then the Lions would travel to play the winner of Maitland FC and Weston Workers, while the Tigers would host the winner of Newcastle Olympic and Lake Macquarie City.
Both the Lions and Tigers have made top starts to the latest Coastal Premier League season.
The Lions sit undefeated at the top of the ladder with eight straight wins to start the season, while the Tigers are third with five wins from their eight games.
Coastal Football Leagues 