Scott Licciardo Memorial Cup

On May 4th Dunbar Rover FC NPL & Dulwich Hill Football Club competed for the second time for the Scott Licciardo Memorial Cup. The origins of the memorial cup came about on just over two years ago on Saturday, April 29th during the second half of the NPL 3 NSW Men’s Under 20 Round 8 game between Dunbar Rovers FC NPL & Dulwich Hill Football Club started at Hensley Athletic Field, a local 50-year-old gentleman, Scott Licciardo, lost his life nearby. 

Scott, an avid cyclist, had been riding home from work when he was tragically killed in an accident on the corner of Denison Street & Corish Circle, Eastgardens, outside Hensley. The U20 and First Grade games were completed that night, but anyone who was here at the ground was not focused on football, as we normally would be. Our thoughts and prayers were with the gentleman and his family.

While though nobody present at the ground that night personally knew Scott, a notoriously private person, both clubs, nevertheless, sought to find a small way to honour his memory. After receiving the blessing of the Licciardo Family last year, now when both clubs play in a competitive fixture at Hensley Athletic Field, the Under 20s teams compete for the Scott Licciardo Memorial Cup.

The inaugural event took place in early June last season, with Dulwich Hill coming away with a comprehensive 5-0 victory to take the trophy back to the Inner West. Tense moments ensued as Dulwich pushed for an equalizer, only to be thwarted time and time again by the Dunbar defensive line. 1-0 at full time with the home side looking comfortable across the park and stand-in captain Liam Preston accepted the Scott Licciardo Memorial Cup, the club’s first piece of silverware for the season.

Thanks to Dulwich Hill for pushing our boys right to the end, in what was a great contest. Needless to say, Dunbar will be looking to avenge that defeat. The second half continued in a similar fashion, with Dunbar not able to capitalize on their superior possession. A few second-half substitutes changed the game for Dunbar with a new frontline of Yudai Yoshida, Zac Smith and Cedric Mezieres seeing Dulwich under the pump, and being forced to concede a clear penalty when Hardwicke-Owen got past the ball past his man near the by-line and was fouled. Mezieres stepped up and slotted home confidently. 1-0 Dunbar.

Not long after Dulwich had a chance of their own bringing the best out of the Dunbar keeper, with a matching winning save seeing Tom Field holding onto a powerful drive that was destined for top corner.