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

Moreton Bay United defender Alex Henderson believes his teammates have the determination to advance to the next round of the Westfield FFA Cup.

The league-leading Jets face second-placed Brisbane Strikers in a blockbuster Brisbane Zone Qualifying Round 6 tie on Wednesday night at Perry Park.

The two in-form sides met once previously this season at the same venue, playing out a titanic 1-1 arm wrestle in April.

However, the 23-year-old centre half says Jets’ recent record of overturning deficits will stand them in good stead in the cut-throat setting of the Westfield FFA Cup.

“I think the confidence overall is quite high because regardless that we have conceded first in the past couple of games we are still showing a lot of intensity and determination,” he explained.

“We’re showing a lot of grit to grind out results and not just come back marginally, but come back to win convincingly.”

“Obviously Strikers are a good side but we’re not going in there fearing them. We will show them respect they deserve but we are going there to win.”

In addition to being undefeated in competitive fixtures this season, Jets also currently boast the best defensive record in PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland.

Henderson highlighted several reasons for the turnaround on last year’s inconsistent defensive performances.

“It doesn’t matter who we put in there, I think we have good players defensively through-out the whole team.”

“But I think in the past few weeks it just feels like the back four has got an understanding about it. We’ve maintained the same back four pretty consistently and I think that’s a key factor.”

Henderson also said Jets coach Adam Piddick has developed a first-hand perspective on how the defence functions by inserting himself heavily into training drills.

“One thing that he does do, which I think is also a key factor to our success, is Adam gets quite involved in the sessions and it’s not uncommon for him to actually train with us,” Henderson explained.

“I think he has a good feel of the squad as a whole and as individual players. He knows what the players each bring to the team and what we can do because he is in amongst it.”

Henderson played for Strikers as a junior and as a senior player in the former Queensland State League and PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues before switching to Jets in 2014.

However, he said his history with Strikers will not be a motivating factor on Wednesday night.

“One thing I will say is that since moving to the Jets I couldn’t be happier.”

He further added, “We were quite successful when I was at Strikers and we won the QSL so I will be playing against players I played with in previous years and they are good mates of mine.”

“But it’s something that you just put out of your mind. They’re just another team that we need to beat and I think that’s the best way to look at it for me.”

Fixture details:

Westfield FFA Cup Brisbane Zone Qualifying Round 6
Brisbane Strikers FC v Moreton Bay United FC
Perry Park
Wednesday, May 20
Kick-off - 7:00PM