There was a lot of movement in the Football Queensland Premier League table after the weekend’s results. Competition is proving fierce, yet unpredictable. Catch up on all the action from round three in our review!
By Tom Beverley
Logan Lightning | 2 – 3 | Rochedale Rovers
Cornubia Park
Rovers, two on the bounce
Rochedale Rovers have backed up their round two performance with another win, this time handing Logan Lightning their first defeat of the campaign. The away side pulled off an incredible come from behind win which started in the 12th minute through Andy Coyne who netted his first in the FQPL. Stephen Green pulled one back for Logan just 10 minutes later. Soon after, disaster for Rovers when Jonathan Mckain was sent off in the 27th minute leaving the side with 10 men for over an hour of play. Logan capitalised in the 40th minute through Jed Brown, and headed into half time 2 – 1 up.
A second half brace to Ben Njie, his second in consecutive rounds proved lethal for the Rovers. Njie got his first in the 55th minute, pulling the Rovers level. His second, in the final moments of the match to steal three points. He has now scored in all three FQPL rounds this season with a tally of five in total.
Peninsula Power | 7 – 0 | Wolves FC
AJ Kelly Park
Wolves left licking their wounds
Wynnum based side Wolves FC have now conceded fifteen times in the opening three rounds of the FQPL, having only scored three themselves. The defensive woes proved costly against a dominant Peninsular Power who have secured their third straight win in a dream start to their campaign. It was a second clean sheet for Peninsular Power, making three in total across the competition after 18 matches of football. The score opened after 6 minutes when Jake Mitchell took the ball past the goalkeeper. Interestingly enough, the score remained 1-0 until the 63rd minute, when it turned things turned for Wolves.
It was a remarkable final 30 minutes for Peninsular who scored six times. A double in two minutes for Dean Briggs, one for Sam Cronin, another double for Ramone Close and a stoppage time sucker-punch by Matthew Boyd. To make matters worse for Wolves, Robert Irving was sent off in the 76th minute.
Peninsular Power now sit atop the FQPL ladder having only conceded once so far. They head to Rochedale to take on the in-form Rovers in round four. Wolves will need improvement ahead of their clash with plucky newcomers, the Sunshine Coast Wanderers.
Sunshine Coast Wanderers | 3 – 1 | Eastern Suburbs
Ballinger Park
Wanderers too strong for The Tigers
Sunshine Coast nabbed their first win of the campaign against an Eastern Suburbs outfit still trying to find its feet in the inaugural league. It was the third straight week The Tigers have conceded three times, as the Wanderers ran out 3 – 1 victors on Saturday. A first half brace to Ben Lynch had the home side in a comfortable spot leading into the break
Sunshine Coast had a third immediately after the break in the 48th minute through Kobe Fuller. A consolation for the away side came in the form of a 90th minute goal from Jayden Balarezo.
Capalaba Bulldogs | 2 – 1 | Southside Eagles
John Frederick Park
Bulldogs back in the winning seat
Fresh off a round two defeat to Rochedale Rovers, Capalaba have bounced back against Southside Eagles. The away side, who just last week toppled Souths United, failed to build on that performance further proving the level of competition across the league is fierce.
It took a little over 55 minutes for the deadlock to be broken when Capalaba’s Stuart Edgar found the back of the net. Ryo Ono doubled the lead in the 80th minute, when Jordan Maxwell pulled one back for The Eagles. Capalaba ultimately hung on to claim the three points at home.
A tough challenge awaits the Bulldogs when they travel to Holland Park to take on the Hawks. The Eagles prepare to host Logan Lightning who perhaps, after letting one slip this week will travel with a point to prove.
Souths United | 1 – 1 | Holland Park Hawks
Wakerley Park
Shared Spoils
It was a clash which pitted two of the FQPL’s top in form strikers head to head in Kado Aoci for Souths United and Holland Park Hawks captain Marek Madle. A clash however, that finished with the slimmest score line yet seen in the FQPL.
Madle opened the account for the visitors after 22 minutes, however the Hawks were unable to capitalise further. Souths leveled in the 68th minute through Ethan Grimley, where the score remained 1 – 1. The Hawks remain unbeaten thus far and will look to continue into Round Four when they host the Bulldogs. Souths are now without a win since Round One and will be determined to leave Bundaberg in Round Four will all three points packed away after taking on the Wide Bay Buccaneers.
Ipswich Knights | 6 – 0 | Wide Bay Buccaneers
Eric Evans Oval
Buccaneers sink in Ipswich
After a round to forget last week, Ipswich Knights certainly returned to winning ways, smashing six past The Buccaneers. The Bundaberg based side have conceded 11 goals in their opening two matches, either side of a Round Two BYE.
It was a solid overall attacking display from the home side including a double to James Exon-Taylor. Nahom Woldu, Emmanuel Peter, Steven Jnog and Devon Munn also found their way onto the scoresheet.
The Knights have a BYE in Round Four, before an away fixture with Souths United in Round Five. The Buccaneers host South United in Round Four.
Mitchelton FC
BYE
A BYE this week for Mitchelton over the weekend means they can prepare for their Round Four clash with Eastern Suburbs. The side is yet to claim a victory after being held last week to a draw with Sunshine Coast Wanderers.
With both sides in Round Four chasing that elusive victory, it’s sure to be an entertaining clash at Heath Park.