Elizabeth Downs Soccer Club senior coach Steve Hughes (left), chairman Andy Steeds and fi rst team player Sam Watson. PHOTO: Jack Hudson
ELIZABETH Downs Soccer Club is preparing for one of the biggest games in its history as it takes on former National Soccer League club Adelaide City in the FFA Cup South Australian qualifying
round semi-final this coming Tuesday at the VALO Football Centre in Angle Park.
The Downs booked their ticket in the semi with a stunning penalty win over National Premier League SA side MetroStars last week, after the sides were locked away at 3-3 following extra-time.
Thousands packed into Argana Park to witness the match, and club chairman Andy Steeds was overwhelmed with the result.
“It was an incredible night, we expected a reasonable sized crowd but the numbers we got out was a credit to the northern suburbs to come out and support a local amateur league club,” he said.
“There were fans from all walks of life, some from other amateur league clubs to come and form one crowd to support the Downs.
“We believe in ourselves a lot as a club, I think we have a good structure, we have a good coaching staff, a good culture.
“We believe in what we can do, and if your club believes in its team, then your team believes in itself.”
Club coach Steve Hughes has been involved with the Downs for over 20 years, including eight years as captain, and said it was unbelievable to qualify for the next round.
“I think everyone, not just the players, were just exhausted to go through the full 120 minutes of that type of game,” he said.
“When it gets to penalties, it’s a toss of the coin, but obviously we’re super happy.
“My first thoughts were just so happy for the boys to get the reward for 120 minutes of effort they put in.”
Despite going in as heavy underdogs, Hughes said he didn’t want to play with a defensive mindset.
“It was very much about playing our natural game, we knew a little bit about Metro from games I had watched, we took note of what their strengths were and we covered them as best we could,” he said.
“You don’t win football matches if you sit back and defend, you need to have a plan of attack.
“To score three goals against them is a massive positive for us.”
