The race is on in earnest to see who become Football Queensland’s leading sharpshooters for the season.

Away from the National Premier Leagues (NPL) Queensland, where it seems a miracle is needed to topple the current leader, things are heating up to seed who takes the coveted Golden Boot awards in NPL Women and Football Queensland Premier League (FQPL).

Former Western Pride marksman Dylan Wenzel-Halls has 23 goals to his name in the NPL but is not playing in the competition any more after signing with Hyundai A-League club Brisbane Roar.

His closest rival is Cairns FC striker Josh Taylor (17) who has the task of scoring seven goals in his last nine matches (including one catch-up fixture) to get past the pride of the Pride.

Taylor scored twice in the 3-1 win by Cairns FC against Brisbane City on Saturday night.

But things are much closer in the NPL Women and the FQPL.

To date, Meaghan McElligott has scored 31 goals in 17 matches this season for Gold Coast United.

However, McElligott was unveiled yesterday as Moreton Bay United’s newest signing and eyes will be on her this Friday to see if she can match her goal-scoring feats in new colours as the Jets host Eastern Suburbs at Wolter Park.

It was just over a month ago McElligiott was setting a cracking pace for United and was seven goals clear of her nearest rival.

After 27 goals from 12 games to start the season, McElligott has managed four from her past five games, including two against SWQ Thunder on Sunday night.

This has allowed in-form duo Tiarne Petterwood (The Gap) to whittle the deficit to only two.

Petterwood has closed within two of the lead after 12 strikes from her past four games, including two against Souths United on Sunday night.

Souths United’s Amy Chapman is third on 27 after failing to score against The Gap in the same match.

Youeil Shol (pictured) of Eastern Suburbs is leading the charge in the FQPL.

His nearest rival is Marek Madle, previously from Holland Park Hawks, but signed for NPL Queensland club Lions FC earlier this month and has scored four times in three games.

Shol’s Easts teammate Jordan Farina and Stuart Edgar of Capalaba Bulldogs both sit on 16 goals this season.

The 2018 Golden Boot winners of NPL, NPLW and FQPL will win their club a $500 teamwear* voucher courtesy of Kappa.

* Excludes balls and leisurewear

 

Words: Terry Wilson
Image: Patrick Kearney