A catch up round this weekend will see six games played across the National Premier Leagues (NPL) Queensland and Football Queensland Premier League (FQPL) competitions.
Teams will go searching for valuable points on the weekend as both competitions head towards the pointy end of the season.
NPL QUEENSLAND:
Magpies Crusaders v Olympic FC
Sunday, 21 July, 3pm
Sologinkin Oval
It was meant to be Olympic’s first game of the 2019 season but a once in 100 year big wet rolled through the north of Queensland causing havoc. However with clear skies and a home final up for grabs, Olympic head up to Mackay this weekend for their away game against Magpies Crusaders. For Magpies, it’s another chance to widen the gap between them and the relegation zone. When the two sides last met, Olympic came away with eight goals in a convincing win.
PLAYER TO WATCH:
Alex Smith (Olympic FC) – The former Hyundai A-League forward had been a reliable attacker and proven goalscorer for his team this season. He has 16 goals so far this season with 12 of those coming in his last 10 games.
Gold Coast United v Redlands United
Friday, 19 July, 7:30pm
Coplick Family Sports Park
Bad weather at Coplick Family Sports Park saw the Round 12 game between Gold Coast United and Redlands United called off. United haven’t won a game since their Round 19 victory against Brisbane City. However, with the top four and the final series all but decided, they will be for a strong finish to the season. It’s the same for Redlands, who have pulled together a number of wins to distance themselves from the relegation zone.
PLAYER TO WATCH:
Jackson Hart-Phillips (Redlands United) – The young defender has been a constant presence at the back for Redlands since the 2018 season. In a friendly against Brisbane Roar on Saturday, he was able to hold his own against experienced players.
SWQ Thunder v Gold Coast Knights
Saturday, 20 July, 5pm
Clive Berghofer Stadium
After dropping points to Lions FC in Round 24, Knights will be looking to get back to the winners’ circle in the first of three catch up games. They face SWQ Thunder, who overcame Sunshine Coast FC last weekend. The Toowoomba-based team are currently in the thick of the relegation zone with a win able to lift them above Western Pride and strengthen their chances of remaining in the NPL Queensland competition.
PLAYER TO WATCH:
Sam Smith (Gold Coast Knights) – Smith got on the scoreboard last weekend in Knights’ loss to Lions FC and is the top goalscorer for his team with 12 goals so far this season. His pace and skill has been hard for opposition to neutralise this season.
Brisbane Strikers v Sunshine Coast FC
Saturday, 20 July, 6pm
Perry Park
With finals appearing out of reach with Strikers 13 points behind Gold Coast Knights, the squad will be hoping for a strong finish to the season while keeping a hold of fifth on the ladder. Gold Coast United sit just behind Strikers, with the latter having two games in hand. For Sunshine Coast, they will be looking for better form heading into the final weeks of the season.
PLAYER TO WATCH:
Andrew Pengelly (Brisbane Strikers) – After a tough start to the season, Pengelly found his scoring boots and hasn’t looked back scoring at least a goal in 10 of his last 11 NPL Queensland matches including three braces and three consecutive hat-tricks.
Catch all the NPL Queensland games LIVE on the FQ YouTube channel.
FQPL:
Rochedale Rovers v Logan Lightning
Saturday, 20 July, 5:15pm
Underwood Park
The Logan Derby will take place on Saturday after the first installment just three weeks ago. That match saw a nine-goal thriller with Lightning coming away with the three points in a 5-4 win. Important points are up for grabs with Logan sitting just a point behind Capalaba and promotion on the horizon for whoever finishes in second.
PLAYER TO WATCH:
Nick Mooney (Logan Lightning) – The former NPL Queensland goalkeeper has been the number one choice for Logan since May. Last week he earned himself a spot in the FQPL Team of the Week after making a number of important saves to help his team to a valuable three points in the race for promotion.
Sunshine Coast Wanderers v Southside Eagles
Sunday, 21 July, 4pm
Ballinger Park
Wanderers have two games in hand, with both those fixtures coming over the next seven days. The Sunshine Coast club sit at the top of the FQPL ladder and are primed for promotion if they continue their winning form. They come up against Southside Eagles, who sit ninth on the table. Last time the two sides met, Wanderers claimed a 2-0 win with both goals coming in the second half.
PLAYER TO WATCH:
Jeremy Stewart (Sunshine Coast Wanderers) – In his last five games, Stewart has scored two goals to put him in second spot in the Golden Boot race as the end of the season draws near. He’s only failed to score in three of his 14 matches this season so will keep the Southside Eagles defenders on their toes throughout the game.
Image: Brisbane Strikers