Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Albert Perez/Football Queensland

Moreton Bay United coach Adam Piddick says his players will have no fear ahead of their Semi-Final showdown with Blacktown City this Saturday night.

Jets will face the PlayStation 4 NPL New South Wales Premiers in Sydney after Blacktown City earned hosting rights following a 4-1 win over Canberra FC on Sunday.

The match will mark Jets’ first competitive fixture interstate and the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Premiers are widely considered as underdogs against the Sydney club.

However, Piddick said he has left no stone unturned as he seeks to give his side the edge - including flying to Sydney on Sunday to watch his opponents first-hand.

“We’ve watched their FFA Cup game, a couple of clips and I saw them live on Sunday - so we will be prepared as best we can with the resources we’ve got.”

“They’ve got some quality players down there but at the end of the day it’s 11v11 and if the boys stick to their roles we will give it a real shake.”

Jets had the chance to host a second consecutive match in the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Finals Series, however a goal conceded in time added on during last Saturday’s 3-1 win over Edgeworth FC ultimately proved costly under the points system that determines venue hosts in the national Semi-Finals and Grand Final.

“I pride myself on not conceding goals from set-pieces and we worked really hard over the last month and we knew where the danger was at the back stick,” Piddick said of that goal.

“We switched off and it probably cost us the home Semi-Final but they’re the breaks and we will take it on the chin and go play some good football down there now.”

In Jets favour is the absence of former Leeds United and Wigan Athletic striker, who was red-carded in the win over Canberra FC and is suspended for the next match.

“He caused Canberra some huge problems and he has loads of pedigree having come from Leeds United,” Piddick said.

“It’s a shame in a way because we want to test ourselves against the best but on the other hand we are kind of relieved.”

“But having said that the players that they brought on were just as good anyway, so I’m sure it’s not going to make too much of a difference to the way they play,” Piddick concluded.

Piddick said Jets expect to travel with a near full-strength squad for the clash, with teenage impact player Joseph Champness the only absentee.

The winner will meet the winner of Sunday’s Bayswater City v Olympia Warriors match in the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Grand Final on the following weekend.

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Semi Final

Blacktown City FC v Moreton Bay United FC
Lilys Football Stadium, Sydney
Saturday, 26 September
Kick-off at 7:30PM