The National Premier Leagues (NPL) Queensland Men’s season is finally starting to build momentum with a full round of fixtures taking place for the first time last weekend.
Round 4 will see the 2019 Finals Series competitors face off against each other and newly-promoted sides doing battle in the NPL Men’s for the first time as the competition heats up this weekend.
Fans can watch all First Grade NPL Men’s matches live and on demand on the FQ YouTube channel.
Feature Match: Olympic FC v Peninsula Power
The Round 4 NPL Men’s Feature Match will see a clash of two teams who made it to the Finals Series in 2019, live streamed on the FQ Facebook page this Sunday night.
Peninsula Power and Olympic FC, who finished in third and fourth place on the ladder respectively in 2019, will now lock horns in an early season blockbuster at Goodwin Park this Sunday.
The two teams shared the spoils against one another last season with a victory each, but with new star signings being introduced to the tie this year for both clubs, it will be interesting to see who comes out on top.
As one of only two teams that have managed to play out all three of their scheduled matches so far this season, Olympic FC have also managed to pull off a trifecta of varying results by chalking up a win, a draw, and a loss in their opening three games.
While there is no clear indication of consistent form in their results, one man who has been consistent is Jez Lofthouse, who has started off this season with a flurry of goals and stand-out performances.
Lofthouse will work alongside electric new signing Frederick Yinka-Kehinde to try and break down a strong Peninsula Power defense, while Daniel Leck may also play a pivotal role in orchestrating Olympic’s attacking plays.
Peninsula Power are also likely to exhibit a frightening attacking line-up, with Marek Madle, Sam Cronin, Joshua Woolley, and Tom Strickland already netting ten goals between them in their opening two games.
Power have begun the season in tantalizing form, scoring 11 goals and conceding only one in their opening two fixtures against Magpies Crusaders and Sunshine Coast Wanderers – however, they will understand that the task that lies before them this weekend in Olympic FC will pose a whole new challenge.
With a win this weekend, Power will cement themselves as real title contenders in 2020 and many would argue the same can be said for Olympic. One thing we know for sure is that the rest of the league will be watching this one with interest.
Match Details:
Olympic FC v Peninsula Power
Sunday, 1 March, 6:00pm
Goodwin Park
Live Stream Link
Other Matches to Watch:
Gold Coast United v Lions FC
One of the NPL Men’s Queensland games that instantly draws the eye of the neutral fan will take place at 6pm at Coplick Family Sports Park this Saturday, as 2019 Premiers Lions FC take on Gold Coast United.
Lions FC will aim to extend their perfect winning start to the season – and 22 match unbeaten run in the NPL Men’s regular season – when they meet a revitalized Gold Coast United, who are looking to build off their first win of the campaign last time out as they launch their bid for a Finals place this season.
Joe Duckworth has been at the height of the action going forward for Lions while Tommy Jarrad, Nathan Shepherd and Luke Borean have been impenetrable at the other end so far this season.
To put Lions’ flawless start into perspective – every starting attacker and midfielder has scored in the first two games, while the defense is yet to concede a goal – that in spite of the ongoing absence of captain Matija Simic.
Gold Coast United on the other hand have had a mixed start to the season after suffering a narrow 1-0 loss to last season’s Grand Finalists Olympic FC on the opening day. However, they managed to turn their fortunes around last week with a 2-1 win over Eastern Suburbs in a result that will hopefully spark a shift in momentum for the Finals hopefuls.
Despite an apparent injury to captain Michael Thwaite, it’s not all bad news for the Gold Coast’s defensive unit – young-gun goalkeeper signing Aidan Munford looks to be the real deal. A further boost for Gold Coast’s chances comes in their attacking prowess with Sam Smith, Brandon Reeves and Shane Smeltz – who is working his way back to full fitness – up top.
Match Details:
Gold Coast United v Lions FC
Saturday, 29 February, 6:00pm
Coplick Family Sports Park 1
Live Stream Link
Capalaba FC v Sunshine Coast Wanderers
One of the weekend’s most anticipated matches will be held between the league’s two newcomers at John Fredericks Park this Saturday.
Capalaba, who chalked up their first three points after a comfortable 3-0 away win against Redlands United on the weekend, already look comfortable in Queensland’s top tier after making the step up from playing FQPL last season.
A strong start to the season by Samuel Langley, Conor Booth, and Scot Coulson combining with key players Alex Warrilow and Ryo Ono, and Kurtis Goodwin has shaped Capalaba into a side that looks prepared to take on any challenge posed to them this season.
Jeremy Stewart has started the season how many thought he might – netting a goal on each of his two outings this season for Sunshine Coast Wanderers. If his side are to pose a threat this weekend they will need to produce a strong performance at the back in order to create a profound impact from the front.
Despite failing to register a point in their first two games of the season, Wanderers have already shown glimpses of their quality – going into half-time a goal up against Premiership hopefuls Peninsula Power last week – just an early hint of what they are capable of.
Match Details:
Capalaba FC v Sunshine Coast Wanderers
Saturday, 29 February, 6:45pm
John Fredericks Park
Live Stream Link
Other Round 4 Matches:
Brisbane Strikers vs Moreton Bay United
Saturday, 29 February, 6:30pm
Perry Park
Live Stream Link
Redlands United vs Gold Coast Knights
Saturday, 29 February, 7.00pm
Compass Grounds 1
Live Stream Link
Magpies Crusaders vs Brisbane City
Saturday, 29 February, 7.30pm
Sologinkin Oval
Live Stream Link
Eastern Suburbs v Brisbane Roar FC Youth
Sunday, 1 March, 6.15pm
Heath Park
Live Stream Link
Key Players for Round 4:
Sam Cronin (Peninsula Power): Having earned a spot in the first two Team of the Week selections for 2020, Cronin has started the season in blistering form and can make a big impact this weekend against Olympic.
Connor Booth (Capalaba FC): One of his side’s most reliable players, Booth will be vital in Capalaba’s clash against 2019 FQPL Premiers Sunshine Coast Wanderers.
Jeremy Stewart (Sunshine Coast Wanderers): The Wanderers skipper has scored a goal in each of his side’s NPL Men’s matches this year and will need to keep the shots firing if he is to help his side to their first points in 2020.
Words: Darren Newell
Image: Chris Simpson/Western Pride, 365 Photography
