New Moreton Bay United ace Meaghan McElligott has not missed a beat since her mid-season switch from Gold Coast United to the Jets.
The 22-year-old surprised the NPL Queensland Women’s scene when she signed with Moreton Bay at a stage when she was heading the race for the Golden Boot award that goes to the season’s leading goalscorer.
Since McElligott made her move, she has played two games for Moreton Bay and has scored twice in each match to be on 35 goals for the season, holding a slender lead over Tiarne Petterwood (The Gap) who has 33 goals to her name.
But McElligott has the opportunity to stretch her advantage over the next four week because Moreton Bay are playing Sunshine Coast in a catch-up game on Thursday night before an intriguing fixture against her former club Gold Coast United on Sunday.
“That should be interesting,” McElligott said of the United match at Robina’s Station Reserve.
“I’m not expecting too much from them but I think they’ll want to show me that I made the wrong decision leaving the club.
“They have even told me that – in a friendly way of course.
“They’re all friends and I even went to watch them play The Gap last weekend.
“I joined Moreton Bay more so because I thought it was a better opportunity for me long-term.”
McElligott said unless she tries her luck overseas again, next year she will be more than happy to stay with Moreton Bay for the 2019 season.
While the race for the NPLW Golden Boot is fairly tight such is not the case in the men’s NPL and FQPL competitions.
Cairns striker Josh Taylor is closing in on the lead, which is currently held by Dylan Wenzel-Halls with 23.
But the former Western Pride forward is now on the roster of Hyundai A-League club Brisbane Roar so Taylor (20 goals) is poised to take the title.
Taylor has six matches to go to get the necessary goals.
In the Football Queensland Premier League (FQPL), Youiel Shol heads standings with 27 goals for Eastern Suburbs and is four ahead of Marek Madle, formerly with Holland Park Hawks.
However, like Wenzel-Halls in the NPL, Madle has jumped to a higher level after signing with Lions FC in the NPL.
Closest to Shol on 18 goals is Stuart Edgar from the Capalaba Bulldogs.
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
Click on the following links to view the golden boot leader board for NPL, NPLW and FQPL.
Words: Terry Wilson
Image: Stephen Archer (Slapix)
