Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Football New South Wales

Moreton Bay United coach Adam Piddick was proud of his team’s effort against Blacktown City on Saturday but says the result was a fair reflection on the contest.

Jets were eliminated from this year’s PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Finals Series 2-1 by the PlayStation 4 NPL New South Wales Premiers on Saturday night at Lilys Stadium in Sydney.

The PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Premiers were two goals down at half time before Stephen Green halved the deficit as part of a fighting second half display by Jets.

Piddick said a tactical change at half-time enabled his team to better compete, however conceded Blacktown simply offered too much quality across the pitch.

“It was big task going there with the players that Blacktown have got and in the first half I probably got my tactics wrong a little bit,” Piddick explained.

“In that first half we couldn’t get in the game and we couldn’t get our foot on the ball. We made two mistakes at the back and they punished us for it as quality players will do.”

“But in the second half we changed things up a bit and the boys responded, we put more pressure on their centre backs, and with a bit of luck we could’ve taken it to extra time - but it was a probably a fair result in the end.”

Piddick said his team were thrown off balance by the absence of right fullback Matthew Zappone, who was  a late withdrawal from the clash.

“It didn’t help that Zappa was sick because he was due to mark Mitch Mallia, but he had his eyes lasered on Friday and he couldn’t see out of them,” Piddick explained.

However, Piddick was full of praise for his players performances in what has proved to be Jets’ most successful season to date.

The club, which was formed only three years ago, won the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Premiership-Champions double, as well as recording their first competitive win against interstate opposition against Edgeworth FC in the Elimination Final.

“All the boys have stood up at times when we needed them and that’s been the thing about our team this year.”

Piddick said the club was conscious of the need to retain key performers despite admitting he is resigned to off-season departures as par of the course.

“There are always concerns that players will move on but we have measures in place to lock in some players,” he explained.

“We have some very good young players in our team, so without having a massive wage budget we will look to keep that culture in the group and go forward from there.”

“Even if we kept everyone we would still look to strengthen. Our goal now is to win the National Premier League and if we want to do that we need to strengthen in all parts of our game,” Piddick concluded.