Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Albert Perez/Moreton Bay United FC

Moreton Bay United received an early fright before securing progression to the next round of the Westfield FFA Cup, downing Taringa Rovers 2-1 at Wolter Park on Wednesday night.

Rovers, who compete in the third-tier Trophy Superstore Premier League, opened the scoring before Jets responded quickly via Alex Henderson and Jordan Farina to edge out the tie.

Jets are undefeated this season in PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland but were uncharacteristically rusty from the kick-off following a two-week break since their last competitive match.

Rovers took the lead on the quarter hour when Omar Hamid delivered a lunging finish to turn home Steven Chester’s cross at the far post.

However, Jets replied inside a minute from a short corner-kick that saw Jackson Hall ultimately pick out Henderson, who rose well to head in the equaliser.

The hosts saw a goal disallowed on 25 minutes after Ryota Nakaooka, who shook two defenders in the build-up, supplied Charles Mendy on six yards but the Frenchman was flagged for offside.

The disappointment was short-lived as Farina put Jets ahead for the first time with an opportunistic overhead finish after his initial shot was parried by Rovers goalkeeper Douglas Blaikie.

Farina came close to doubling the advantage before the break but saw his strike curl just wide of the target from distance.

Further chances after the restart as Jets' Matt Capello steered a shot straight at Blakie, before Hamid saw his attempt blocked by Jayke Cuschieri at the other end.

Shortly after the hour, Jets goalkeeper Luke Borean made an ultimately telling save to deny a solid shot from Lewis Teevan from 18 yards.

Jets enjoyed a good spell midway through the half but couldn't put the match to bed - Liam Previtera, Jackson Hall and Royce Brownlie all failing to find the target, while Matthew Zappone saw his shot head clear off the goal-line.

Jets were almost made to regret the misses as Rovers delivered a final flourish from a series of corners before Benjamin Galloway forced Borean to save and Trent Vohland shot wide from point-blank range.

The result continues a stellar return of six wins from six competitive matches for Jets in 2015, and sees Jets join PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland rivals Brisbane Strikers and Redlands United in the next round of Westfield FFA Cup Brisbane Zone Qualifying.

Jets coach Adam Piddick expressed his relief at progressing to the next round but conceded his side's performance was not amongst their best this season.

“The boys know they were lucky. They have to get used to playing on a Wednesday night because if you want to go far in this competition then you are playing midweek and everyone in the whole squad has to be up for it,” he said.

Moreton Bay United FC  2 (Alex HENDERSON 16’, Jordan FARINA 27’)
Taringa Rovers FC  1 (Omar HAMID 15’)