![Local football clubs’ shot at FFA Cup history Local football clubs’ shot at FFA Cup history](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/v7aL3ypAbpidARtySf3wcd/639cd609-6e0e-4df7-87b0-9069ec7b665c.jpg/r0_245_4801_2955_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
It is a unique competition which David against Goliath.
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It sees amateurs line up alongside professionals.
The local butcher can find himself manning up on an international football star who has travelled the world.
The Football Federation Australia Cup pits football clubs from right across the country.
Teams can find themselves competing against the cream of the crop from the A-League in the final knockout round of 32.
Last year the Wollongong Wolves played host to A-League powerhouse Sydney FC at WIN Stadium in a match which was televised nationally.
The Sky Blues, with their army of supporters making the trip down to add to the spectacle, proved too strong winning through to the round of 16 with a 3-0 victory over the locals.
Sydney FRC would eventually lose the final to Melbourne City with Socceroos star Tim Cahill scoring to take the 1-0 victory.
On Wednesday night, two Illawarra clubs will have their own chance at making history.
Bulli (Bulli’s Corey Horner pictured left) and Kemblawarra (Kemblawarra’s Fabian Iancovelli pictured right) can write themselves into the history pages by becoming the first Illawarra Premier League clubs to win through to the FFA Cup’s round of 32.
On Wednesday night, Bulli plays host to NSW NPL Mens 1 giant Blacktown City.
At the same time the Kemblawarra Fury travel to play NSW NPL Mens 2 outfit the Hills Brumbies.
A win would ensure their passage through to the round of 32 where they may well come up against an A-League opponent.
“We are pretty much the underdogs coming into these kind of competitions,” Fury winger Iacovelli told the Illawarra Mercury earlier this week.
“It is a big opportunity for most of us who haven’t got to play at such high levels, while others have. It’s a good experience for everyone.”
Bulli faces an enormous challenge against a side in Blacktown which has lost only once this year in the NSW NPL.
Yet, the FFA Cup can spring a surprise.
You can keep track of how our two local hopes are faring across Wednesday night at www.illawarramercury.com.au.
We will be running a live blog on our website which will provide live updates on how Bulli and Kemblawarra in their fight to take centrestage with the big boys.