Premiers The Gap FC host Souths United on Saturday night, before Lions FC welcome BRFC/NTC in the first week of the NPLW Finals Series.
The Gap FC (1) v Souths United (4)
Walton Bridge Reserve
Saturday, 1 September, 6:00pm
Can Souths stop the Gap?
NPLW Queensland Premiers The Gap FC host a Souths United side who have lost their last two in this weekend’s first semi-final at Walton Bridge Reserve.
The Gap have won their last 15 games and will bring plenty of confidence to the match, fresh off a 6-1 victory over SWQ Thunder in Round 26.
Meanwhile, Souths have won only one of their last five games and fell to a shock 3-1 loss against 12th placed Sunshine Coast Wanderers in their midweek catch-up game.
The Gap have proved triumphant both times the sides have met this season, with leading goal-scorer Tiarne Petterwood bagging a double in their Round 18 3-0 victory.
Earlier in the season, Souths were also held scoreless when the two teams met in Round 5 with The Gap recording a 2-0 victory.
Souths will need to overcome their recent inconsistent form if they are to be any chance against red-hot The Gap who will be looking to extend their winning streak to 16 games on the way to the Grand Final.
Lions FC (2) v BRFC/NTC (3)
Lions Stadium
Sunday, 2 September, 4:00pm
Lions host Roar
Second-placed Lions FC will host third-placed BRFC/NTC at Lions Stadium on Sunday afternoon in the second semi-final of the NPLW Queensland.
Lions have won their last two games, with a dominant 6-2 victory over Western Pride and a stunning come-from-behind 3-2 win over fellow semi-finalists Souths United.
However, the hosts have also fallen to two disastrous defeats in the last four weeks including an alarming 8-0 loss against The Gap FC and a 4-1 defeat to Sunday’s semi-final opponents.
The Roar side have had an incredible late season surge and have lost only one game in their last 15 – against Premiers The Gap FC in a catch-up game last week.
Lions were the stronger team when the sides met in Round 10, recording a comfortable 3-1 victory, and in Round 23, Indiah-Paige Riley helped the Roar to that 4-1 result with a brace.
If recent performances are anything to go by, Lions will need to be at their best to come out triumphant against a Roar side who will be looking to continue their end-of-season form.
Words: Elizabeth Lepre
Image: Ian Judd