Western Sydney Wanderers narrowly avoided falling victim to one of the greatest FFA Cup upsets in the competition's short history after winning a penalty shoot-out against state league side, Blacktown City.
The Wanderers were staring down the barrel of a shock exit after letting an early lead slip from their grasp before salvaging pride from the penalty spot after first settling for a 2-2 draw. Spanish striker Oriol Riera was the hero with the winning penalty which went some way to making amends for a plethora of missed chances throughout a match the Wanderers perhaps should have won more comfortably.
They were on course to do so after winning a penalty in the second minute where Riera opened his account, slotting past Tristan Prendergast in the Blacktown goal. It was the start of a night-long duel between the two and while Riera had the final say, it was a victory that was hard-earned after the semi-professional shot stopper denied the million-dollar marquee several clear chances.
Prendergast was all that stood between Blacktown and a whitewash. He denied the Wanderers what would have been a superb team goal with a one-on-one save from Roly Bonevacia, before blocking Riera from point blank range and stand-in captain Kearyn Baccus from distance to keep Blacktown's faint hopes of progress alive at the break.
Prendergast had full advantage in his dual with Riera and saved his best for the hour-mark by stopping yet another point-blank range header which the Spaniard would rue minutes later.
Blacktown substitute James Andrew stunned the former Asian Champions completely against the run of play, leading a counter-attack from the left flank, jinking inside his marker before slicing a shot past Vedran Janjetovic to a roar from the 4,217-strong crowd.
The Blacktown fans were in disbelief in extra-time while the Wanderers were seething as two former Sydney FC players combined to torment them. Mitch Mallia combined with Andrew to give them the lead before Riera ensured the match went to penalties after finally beating Prendergast from open play.
He had the final say from the spot, stepping up to hit the final penalty as the Wanderers won 4-2 in the shoot-out.
