But for Zane, even that didn't compare to what his young Broadmeadow side did in a 3-0 loss to Western Sydney on Wednesday night at No.2 Sportsground.

With only a month to prepare for the COVID-delayed round of 32 Cup match after two months without a game, a new-look Magic side - with an average age of 22 - showed composure and fight against an A-League side ready to start their season against Sydney on November 20.

Two tap-ins off fumbled stops from goalkeeper Shayne Van As and a long-range stunner from Steve Ugarkovic were all that separated the teams in consistent and often torrential rain.

Zane coached Edgeworth in Cup games against City, Wanderers (5-1 loss in 2016) and the Jets (5-1 loss in 2019) before switching to Magic and, given the circumstances, he placed the performance on Wednesday right right at the top.

"It was an amazing effort, and I think people don't quite fathom what we've done," Zane said. "These boys hadn't done anything for two months, then out of the blue they are preparing for a Cup game against a team that's prepared for the elite competition in Australia.

"The feeling in the club was like we'd won."

Wanderers fielded a starting side including former Jets Johnny Koutroumbis, Ugarkovic, Dimi Petratos, Bernie Ibini and Ramy Najjarine.

Ibini (26th minute) and Alex Badolato (47th) knocked in loose balls before Ugarkovic hit his 20-metre strike in the 51^st minute to ensure Wanderers progressed.

However, for the most part, Magic's young defence, with standout performances from Jordan Jackson and Ryan Ensor, held firm. Jacob Dowse was lively on counterattacks and had a good chance saved in the 65^th minute. Jake Harris forced a stop from Wanderers keeper Tomas Mejias in the 20^th off a cross from Dowse.

"With the level of play and the clever movement, you can misread a lot of your decisions because they are rushed more than normal, but our defensive decision making was absolutely superb," Zane said.

"These things happen, but I think Dowsey should have had a free kick just before the first goal, but they are what ifs. But that was a tough one.

"It probably just needed for us to take the lead, and we had a couple of chances. It might have put a bit of panic on top of the fact we'd shut them down pretty well."

Zane praised his players' extra work to get fit for the game and their willingness "to keep fighting all the way".

EARLIER MATCH REPORT: A young Broadmeadow line-up were far from disgraced in a 3-0 loss to A-League side Western Sydney Wanderers in their round of 32 FFA Cup clash on Wednesday night at No.2 Sportsground.

Wanderers fielded a side stacked with familiar faces to Newcastle football fans, just 10 days out from their A-League season opener against Sydney.

Former Jets Johnny Koutroumbis, Steve Ugarkovic, Dimi Petratos, Bernie Ibini and Ramy Najjarine were in the starting side for ex-Newcastle coach Carl Robinson.

Ibini (26th minute) and Alex Badolato (47th) tapped in fumbled stops and Ugarkovic (51st) hit a long-range strike to put Wanderers into the last 16 of the knockout.

Broadmeadow's team, with an average age of 22, were without senior players like Jon Griffiths, Matt Hoole, Mitch Rooke, Sam Walker and James and Luke Virgili, who have switched clubs since the end of the shortened Northern NSW NPL season.

Magic, with just a month to prepare as a team after two months without football, set up in a 5-3-2 formation to keep the A-League side at bay and work for counterattacks on the break.

Wanderers created the first genuine chance on five minutes but Terry Antonis was wide with his shot.

Petratos had a free-kick deflected wide after Noah Steinerts brought down Ibini in the 16^th minute. Petratos was then off target with a chance at the ensuing corner.

Magic had the home fans out of their seats in the 20^th minute when Jake Harris made great contact to a curling ball to the back post from Jacob Dowse. However keeper Tomas Mejias was down low quickly to deny a shock opener.

Six minutes later, Western Sydney took the lead when Ibini knocked in a spilled stop from Shayne Van As. Ugarkovic had hit a skidding shot from the top of the area from a rushed clearance at a corner and Van As was unable to grab it cleanly in the testing conditions.

It was a bitter blow to the young Magic defence, which was well-organised and up for the battle in the first half.

The visitors then struck early in the second when Magic looked to attack but were then caught short at the back.

Petratos put Adama Traore away down the left and his shot was blocked by Van As, only to fall for 16-year-old Badolato to tap in.

Ugarkovic rubbed salt in the wound four minutes later with a powerful strike from 20 metres out for 3-0.

Broadmeadow had a bright moment in the 65^th minute when Jack Simmons and Dowse combined. Dowse, one of Magic's best on the night, found space down the right but his shot was blocked by Mejias.

Wanderers pushed to the end for more goals but Broadmeadow showed composure to keep the damage to a minimum.

It was the first time Broadmeadow have taken on A-League opposition in the cup but the fifth time they have qualified for the main draw.

Newcastle Olympic face a similar task on Saturday night at the same ground when they play A-League club Macarthur from 6pm.

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