Words: Simon Smale & Michael Flynn
Images (l to r): Sam Attwood, Paul Smith, Pine Creek Pictures

Four of Queensland’s PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues clubs continue their Westfield FFA Cup quest this weekend – with at least one guaranteed to fall.

Surfers Paradise Apollo SC v SWQ Thunder FC
Saturday, May 7th | 7:30PM
Lex Bell Oval, Gold Coast

2016 League Competition:

	DIVISION	POS	P	W	D	L	F	A
Surfers Paradise Apollo	BLK Premier League	2nd	7	5	2	0	20	8
SWQ Thunder	PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues	9th	9	3	1	5	13	22

Westfield FFA Cup History

	2014	2015
Surfers Paradise Apollo	Did not enter	Preliminary Round 2
SWQ Thunder	Round 5 (FQ Cup)	Preliminary Round 6

Thunder’s hopes of reaching the national Round of 32 face a potential banana-skin on Saturday night when they head south to take on an Apollo outfit brimming with confidence in this Southern Regional Zone tie.

Thunder have been hot-and-cold of late with their PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues campaign returning three straight defeats, despite their win over Willowburn in the previous round of the Westfield FFA Cup seeing them equal their best ever return in the tournament.

Meanwhile, Apollo proved a formidable opponent in eliminating Gold Coast City in the previous round – a win described by club officials as the biggest in the club’s 38 year history.

Aiding the third tier BLK Premier League club’s cause is a distinct home ground advantage, with Thunder never tasting victory on the Gold Coast in the league nor cup in their history.

The winner of this match will host a Preliminary Round 7 tie against the winner of the Sunshine Coast FC and United Park Eagles clash to be played on Sunday.

CLICK HERE for the official Match Centre

Match Officials – Adam Kersey (referee), Sam Osbourne (assistant), Thomas Cullane (assistant) 

Far North Queensland FC Heat v Northern Fury FC
Sunday, May 8 | 1:30PM
Barlow Park, Cairns

2016 League Competition:

	DIVISION	POS	P	W	D	L	F	A
FNQ Heat	PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues	1st	9	7	1	1	19	7
Northern Fury	PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues	12th	9	0	0	9	9	31

Westfield FFA Cup History

	2014	2015
FNQ FC Heat	Round of 32	Round of 32
Northern Fury	Round 5 (FQ Cup)	Preliminary Round 6

The Northern Regional Zone tie pits PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues’ two northernmost clubs against each other in the Westfield FFA Cup for the third season in a row.

Relatively close geographically, their positions on the league table could not be more different in 2016 – with Heat top of the table and Fury on the bottom rung.

Their last meeting was in Round 5 of the league in Cairns where Heat ran out convincing 4-1 winners.

The Westfield FFA Cup has provided the only bright spot for Fury this year – a 2-0 win over Rebels FC in the previous round courtesy of a double from Jonathon Bagley- amongst a horror run of nine straight league defeats.

The Fury have never reached the national Round of 32, while Heat are eyeing a third straight appearance on the national stage.

However, cup football has a tendency to tear up the form guide and with derby bragging rights also on the line a tight contest appears likely.

The winner of this match will host the winner of Saturday night’s Magpies and Frenchville clash in Mackay for a place in the Round of 32.

CLICK HERE for the official Match Centre

Match Officials - Chris Dawson (referee), Michael Bozhoff (assistant), Chris Doherty-Fisher (assistant)

Sunshine Coast FC v United Park Eagles FC
Sunday, May 8 | 4:00PM
Kawana Sports Precinct, Sunshine Coast

2016 League Competition:

	DIVISION	POS	P	W	D	L	F	A
Sunshine Coast FC	PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues	8th	9	3	2	4	10	15
United Park Eagles	Wide Bay League	4th	4	3	0	1	12	9

Westfield FFA Cup History

	2014	2015
Sunshine Coast FC	Round 4 (FQ Cup)	Preliminary Round 5
United Park Eagles	Did not enter	Preliminary Round 5

Both Fire and Eagles are in unknown Westfield FFA Cup territory as they clash in Preliminary Round 6 – the furthest ever advance in the national knock-out competition for both clubs.

Following a tumultuous start to the league season, Fire are starting to settle under coach Sam Saif with their first ever Westfield FFA Cup win over Woombye in the previous round complemented by a solid win over SWQ Thunder in their last start.

For Eagles, who compete in the third tier Wide Bay League, the match is their first ever against a second tier opponent in the Westfield FFA Cup.

Their current advance has seen them eliminate local rivals United Warriors and Kawungan Sandy Straits Jets with big wins – but this weekend’s trip south looms as their toughest test yet.

The winner of this match will travel to the winner of Saturday night’s clash between Surfers Paradise Apollo and SWQ Thunder in the next round – with a position in the national Round of 32 up for grabs.

CLICK HERE for the official Match Centre

Match Officials – Rachel Mitchinson (referee), Danielle Potticary (assistant), David Wiebe (assistant)