NPL New South Wales heavyweights Blacktown City and APIA Leichhardt go head-to-head in a blockbuster Australia Cup Preliminary Round 4 tie on Wednesday night.
Two of last year’s Round of 32 entrants, who have eight appearances on the national stage battle it out for a spot in Preliminary Round 5 at Blacktown City Sports Centre.
Blacktown City have reached the national rounds on five occasions, including two quarter finals appearances as well as a ‘Cupset’ victory over Central Coast Mariners in 2017.
While APIA have appeared on the national stage on three occasions, highlighted by a pair of Round of 16 victories against Melbourne Victory (2018) & Western Sydney Wanderers (2021).
The two sides currently sit level in second on the NPL New South Wales league table with 16 points apiece after eight rounds of action, they both trail league-leaders Sydney FC by a solitary point.
APIA & Blacktown have already met once in the league this season with APIA running out 1-0 winners at Lambert Park a month ago thanks to a late Jack Armson strike.
Blacktown come into Wednesday’s match off the back of a 3-1 win over Manly United on Sunday that included a brace from Jordan Smylie, to take the former Central Coast Mariners forward tally to eight goals for the 2022 season.
APIA were denied all three points by a 94th minute Nathan Wells equaliser in a 3-3 draw against Northbridge on Sunday.
APIA fought their way back from a two goal deficit to lead 3-2 before being pegged back at the death by the Bulls.
There are three other Preliminary Round 4 ties taking place on Wednesday night with Banksia Tigers facing Dulwich Hill, Arncliffe Aurora hosting Knox United and Canterbury Bankstown doing battle with Greenacre Eagles.
Australia Cup 2021: Preliminary Round 4
Blacktown City v APIA Leichhardt FC
Date: Wednesday, April 27
Time: 7:30pm
Venue: Blacktown City Sports Centre
Stream: N/A