Round 12 promises to be a crucial weekend for a number of sides, with The Gap FC aiming to re-climb the table after falling to third. However, fourth-placed Moreton Bay United stand in the way.
By Brett Sinclair
Moreton Bay United | vs | The Gap FC
Wolter Park 1 | Friday | 8:30pm
Gap FC face Moreton Bay United test
The Gap FC will be looking to respond from last week’s 4-3 loss against contenders Lions FC, when they face Moreton Bay United on Friday night at Wolter Park.
Moreton Bay United are two wins away from overtaking The Gap FC. However, with a big win here, they can gain an edge in goal difference and reduce the margin to just three points.
This game also looks set to feature three of the league’s top leading goal-scorers this week, in The Gap FC’s Tiarne Petterwood and Greta Bodey, and Moreton Bay United’s Ali Schaefer. A shootout beckons here.
Sunshine Coast Wanderers | vs | Mudgeeraba Soccer Club
Ballinger Park Buderim Field 1 | Saturday | 2pm
Mudgeeraba aim to keep good form going
Sunshine Coast Wanderers are going to have to be sharp this week against Mudgeeraba SC on Saturday at Ballinger Park.
Mudgeeraba are coming off a morale-boosting 5-0 win over SWQ Thunder FC. The Sunshine Coast have to be tight defensively, after conceding four goals – including three before halftime in a 4-2 loss to Logan Lightning.
With a win, Mudgeeraba can see off the threat of the Sunshine Coast lurking below them.
SWQ Thunder FC | vs | BRFC/NTC
Clive Berghofer Stadium | Saturday | 2:30pm
Chance for both teams to bounce back into winners circle
SWQ Thunder FC and Brisbane Roar FC/NTC do battle on Saturday afternoon at Clive Berghofer. Both sides will be eager to get a win to arrest last week’s losses.
While it has been a challenging season for SWQ Thunder so far, they could shake the Roar, after they let in four goals last weekend in a 4-1 loss to Moreton Bay.
With SWQ Thunder FC losing 5-0 to Mudgeeraba FC, it looks like this could turn into either a tight game with defence on the coaches’ minds this week at training. Or a high-scoring game if both teams decide to risk it all.
Gold Coast United | vs | Logan Lightning
Station Reserve 1 | Saturday | 5pm
Logan eye consecutive wins
Logan Lightning are looking to make it two wins in a row when they take on Gold Coast United on Saturday at Station Reserve.
Logan had a much-needed 4-2 win over the Sunshine Coast Wanderers last week, snapping a six-game losing run that stretched back to the 27th February.
Gold Coast United have every reason to be confident of winning themselves though, having Golden Boot leader Meaghan McElligott who is on fire this season, fresh off scoring 10 goals in the last three weeks, for a season tally of 22 goals.
Eastern Suburbs | vs | Souths United
Heath Park 1 | Saturday | 6pm
South’s chance to stay atop
Eastern Suburbs will host the new leaders of the NPLW in Souths United on Saturday night at Heath Park.
After coming from 1-0 down to defeat Mitchelton 5-2, Souths United will be happy their effort has landed them in top spot on the ladder, and won’t be wanting to give it up easily after battling The Gap at the top for so long.
Eastern Suburbs have their own motivation in trying to get out of the midtable, and are aiming to show the resilient fight they had in coming back twice last week against Western Pride in the 3-3 draw.
Lions FC | vs | Western Pride FC
Lions Stadium 1 | Saturday | 6pm
Lions aim to keep heat on Souths
Lions FC are aiming to make a splash themselves at the top of the ladder, hosting the Western Pride FC on Saturday at the Lions Stadium.
After moving into second following the confidence-boosting win against previous leaders The Gap 4-3 last week, the Lions won’t want to slip up now and undo all the good work.
They will need to be wary of the threat of Western Pride FC, who have scored in their last five games, including three in a 3-3 draw last weekend with Eastern Suburbs.
Mitchelton FC| vs | Capalaba Bulldogs
Teralba Park 1 | Saturday | 6pm
Mitchelton aim to create breathing space
Mitchelton FC have the opportunity to give themselves some room near the top of the ladder, hosting Capalaba Bulldogs on Saturday evening at Teralba Park.
Capalaba need to stay in the contest for longer if they are going to produce a result against Mitchelton, after conceding five goals inside the last 30 minutes to let themselves down 6-1 against Gold Coast United last week.
If Moreton Bay United lose and Mitchelton win, they will move to 4th on the ladder.