The Goulburn Stags will welcome Canberra City to the Goulburn Workers Arena hoping that their young side can create some cup magic from 7.30pm tonight.

“After watching last year’s Westfield FFA Cup competition the team are looking forward to be involved in the national tournament and creating a bit of local football history as we get to host the City’s first game,” Club Secretary Craig Norris said. “Being a part of the Westfield FFA Cup has been a goal of the club and the players are proud to hopeful start a tradition of regularly competing and maybe the odd giant killing performance.”

The Stags compete in the Capital Football State League Division 1 competition with a relatively young team comprising mostly of players under the age of 25.

This season is their second within the auspices of the Capital Football Federation having been crowned Highlands Premier League Champions in 2014.

Whilst the team may not have enjoyed the best of starts to their State League season, a clash with fellow State League 1 outfit Canberra City will give them some hopes of progressing through to the fourth round draw and a potential tie against one of the traditional heavyweights of ACT football.

“Giving the youth of our club a pathway through to the Westfield FFA Cup is important in small communities,” Norris said. “To be a part of a national competition shows them that it doesn’t matter where you live you can be apart something special.

"The club is honoured to be involved. As a game it’s amazing to be in a competition that involves the whole footballing nation, the chance, no matter how small, to take on the best in the country is unique to our game.”

The dreams of Cup glory, and getting their hands on the prestigious Federation Cup trophy for winning the Canberra section of the Westfield FFA Cup Qualifiers, may be somewhat distant at present but at least one of the Stags players has graced the Final.

Josh Phelps was part of the Goulburn Strikers team that led Canberra FC 2-0 in the 2010 Final before succumbing to the perennial powerhouse from the Capital City. An unfortunate hamstring injury may preclude him taking part in this match but his experience of the big occasion could be crucial for his team-mates.

There are a number of exciting talents in the Stage line-up with Norris singling out forward Aaron Swanson for special praise hoping he can fire the Stags into the Fourth Round. “Keep an eye out for centre forward Aaron Swanson,” Norris advised. “Injured all last season he is finding the form that led the team two seasons ago. In defence watch out for James Saul. His coolness on the ball and ability to create time is something to see.”