Curtin has progressed to the WA round of 16 of the Westfield FFA Cup by defeating Backpackers FC 4-2 in extra time.

A first half goal by Joey Broderick saw Backpackers FC ahead at half time but a rejuvenated Curtin took hold of the game in the second half, producing 3 good chances early in the second half. Louis Downham scored his first goal for Curtin on debut only minutes after coming on as a substitute for Arijan Stovag to equalise on 65 mins.

A tense final 25 saw Curtin making all the running with Backpackers breaking where possible but with neither team able to break the deadlock, a good save from Jack Kenny denied Backpackers from stealing it on the break.

The game turned 7 minutes into extra time with Curtin winning and scoring a penalty given for handball and Backpackers FC’s Daniel Brennan seeing red in the aftermath, for foul and abusive language. Scoring 5 penalties out 5 in the shoot out against Kinglsey the result from the spot was never in doubt. Despite being ordered to re take his first successful spot kick, Khaled Salhah was cool again and sent Backpackers keeper Ash Cooper the wrong way.

Curtin were already on top and clearly the fitter of the two teams and with 11 vs 10 turned the screw and scored again either half of the extra time break with goals from, 2015 player of the year, Eddie Tikoft and a typical mazy run from Daniel Young.

With time running out Backpackers FC finished the scoring with a consolation strike from Dave Pearce that was worthy of winning any match but was too little too late for the Backpackers.

The result leaves Curtin and Margaret River FC as the only 2 sides in WA outside of NPL and Division 1 in the draw for the last 16. Curtin have drawn Division 1 side Canning City at home on ANZAC day

Team
Jack Kenny, Derek Van Der Laan (Bryce Young), Mark Matkovic, Dominic Jakszuk, Kye Middleton, Eddie Tikoft, Antony Russo, Josh Harvey, Arijan Stovrag (Louis Downham), Dilip Thapa (Daniel Young), Khaled Salhah
Unused Subs
Daniel Todd, Ben Gorvin