Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: Simon Smale
Images (l to r): Paul Smith & Pine Creek Pictures

FNQ Heat and SWQ Thunder commence their Westfield FFA Cup campaigns on Wednesday night against third-tier clubs determined to spring an upset.

 

Edge Hill United SC v FNQ FC Heat
Wednesday, April 20 | 7:00PM
Tigers Park, Cairns

	DIVISION	POS	P	W	D	L	F	A
Edge Hill United	FNQ Premier Men	4th	2	1	0	1	3	2
FNQ Heat	PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues	1st	7	6	1	0	17	5

Previous Best Westfield FFA Cup Run – Edge Hill United (Preliminary Round 3 - 2015), FNQ Heat (Round of 32 – 2014 & 2015)

Early season PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues leaders Heat look to extend their club record winning start to the season against local outfit Edge Hill United.

Heat cede home ground advantage to the Far North Queensland Premier Men’s side, who are only two matches into their league campaign – boasting a win and a loss so far.

However, they have shown solid form in knock-out competition this season by eliminating Southside Comets, Leichardt FC and Innisfail United to become the final community club remaining in the Far North Queensland zone.

Still they will have their work cut-out for them against a Heat side who have gained a reputation as Westfield FFA Cup specialists – one of only three Queensland clubs to have never lost in the competition’s preliminary rounds.

Founded in 1967, Edge Hill boast three former Socceroos amongst their alumni – current Brisbane Roar star Shane Stefanutto, ex-Perth Glory and Gold Coast United star Michael Thwaite and the legendary Frank Farina.

The winner of this clash will face the winner of the Preliminary Round 5 North Queensland Zone tie between Northern Fury and Rebels FC to be played next week.

Edge Hill Squad – not confirmed

Heat Squad – 1. Kevin WARD, 2. Shaun OWENS, 3. Shimon WATANABE, 4. Charlie BEVERLEY, 5 Ari ISMAN, 6. Jamie GOSLING, 7. Joshua PIN, 8. Christopher O’HARE, 9. Jamie CARROLL, 10. Kieran SANDERS, 11. Darcy MCCORMACK, 12. Cameron NUCIFORA, 13. Mqondisi NKIWANE, 15. Matthew FILIP, 16. Bronson KOPPEN, 20. Joshua WILSON

________________________________________________________________________________

SWQ Thunder FC v Willowburn FC
Wednesday, April 20 | 7:00PM
Clive Berghofer Stadium, Toowoomba

	DIVISION	POS	P	W	D	L	F	A
SWQ Thunder	PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues	7th	7	3	1	3	9	16
Willowburn	Toowoomba Premier Men	5th	2	0	1	1	5	7

Previous Best Westfield FFA Cup Run – Thunder (Preliminary Round 6 – 2015), Willowburn (Preliminary Round 4 – 2015)

Thunder are seeking to be the last club remaining from Queensland’s south-west when they host Willowburn in the Garden City.

Thunder have been an up-and-down proposition in PlayStation 4 National Premier Leauges 2016, demonstrated in recent weeks by heavy defeats to Brisbane Strikers and Gold Coast City that sandwiched an upset win over defending Champions Moreton Bay United.

Willowburn also carry inconsistent form into the match following a stuttering start to their league campaign,  but have dup deep in knock-out competition against local rivals this year– eliminating Gatton SC, St Albans and West Wanderers on their deepest Westfield FFA Cup run yet.

Founded in 1949, Willowburn are Toowoomba’s oldest football club and their last silverware came in 2012 when they were crowned local Premiers.

They will also be boosted by the knowledge that they took Thunder to extra time two seasons ago in a nail-biter at the same venue in the Football Queensland Cup – that season’s qualifying tournament for the inaugural Westfield FFA Cup.

The winner of this match will face the winner of the Preliminary Round 5 Gold Coast Zone tie between Gold Coast City FC and Surfers Paradise Apollo, to be played next week.

Thunder Squad – 1. Luke BOREAN, 2. Rowan SALOMON, 3. Keagan SHERIDAN, 4. Benjamin BARROWCLIFT, 5. Xavier PRATT, 6. Jackson HAUSSLER, 7. Thomas FANNING, 8. Lachlan ATKINSON, 9. William CROZIER, 10. Mustafa JAFARI, 11. Majok PIOK, 15. Kevin DOYLE, 16. Nykodah SMITH, 18. Jacob BIGBY, 19. Jackson FRANKE, 20. Jace HUDSON

Willowburn Squad (playing numbers not confirmed) – Adam BENNION, Kaleb BURGESS, Trent DONOVAN, David EBERHARD, Rhett GREENSLADE, Kise LEE, Matthew MIEKLEJOHN, Damien SAUNDERS, Harry SORIC, Damien STEGER, Brock TUESLEY, Christopher VIEVERS, Timothy WARK, Brodie WELCH, Mads WOLTER, Brenton GIETZEL