The National Premier Leagues (NPL) Queensland Men’s campaign is finally starting to take shape, as Queensland’s top 14 teams continue their early-season scrap in a bid to climb the ladder.
Round 5 of the competition will do more to develop league positioning as teams face off in close battles, while mid-table occupants battle to claw their way up the pile.
Fans can watch all First Grade NPL Men’s matches live and on demand on the FQ YouTube channel.
Feature Match: Gold Coast Knights v Peninsula Power
Round 5 of the NPL Men’s Queensland competition is headlined by the league’s two front runners, as Peninsula Power make the daunting trip down to the Croatian Sports Centre where they will meet Gold Coast Knights this Saturday.
As the only two clubs able to boast a 100% record at this early stage of the competition, direct competition against each other seems a fitting way to establish a sole leader in this year’s Premiership race.
Split by only a single point after 28 games in 2019, each side took three points from each other on their home turf during the season, with Gold Coast Knights utilizing their home advantage once again in their Elimination Final to claim a 2-1 victory over Power back in September.
A key factor in the match will lay within each team’s ability to stem the other’s fast flowing attacking football – as both teams work to feed the dangermen at the spearhead of their attack.
New-signing Jheison Macuace is in menacing form for Knights, scoring six goals in three starts this campaign and featuring in last week’s Team of the Week after bagging four goals against Redlands United. He will link up with in-form teammates Mitch Nichols and Max Brown, who currently have five goals between them.
Power will be looking to the in-form Sam Cronin and their key signing in Marek Madle to provide them with some magic in front of goal, as they look to hunt down their opponents on formidable territory.
Sam Cronin’s six goals this campaign – including an ice-cold free-kick from 22 yards to beat Olympic last time out – highlight his ability to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and create problems for the opposition.
Also on display in this mouthwatering contest is the two best defensive records, with both teams restricting their opposition to two goals so far this season.
Match Details:
Gold Coast Knights v Peninsula Power
Saturday, 7 March, 6:30pm
Croatian Sports Centre
Other Matches to Watch:
Moreton Bay United v Olympic FC
Two teams targeting wins for different reasons meet at Wolter Park this weekend, as Moreton Bay United attempt to regather their momentum – while Olympic FC look to establish some form following a tough start to the year.
After a noble start to the season, Moreton Bay United continued to cause disruption last Saturday when they toppled Brisbane Strikers 4-1 at Perry Park.
After letting a two-goal lead slip against Magpies Crusaders almost a fortnight ago, instructions from Coach Royce Brownlie were clear last time out as Moreton Bay produced a dominant performance against Brisbane Strikers in a warning to others who might underestimate them.
His side fell to defeat last night though at the hands of Lions FC in a Round 1 catch-up match.
Matt Heath – who has been instrumental in Moreton Bay’s success – will be key once again come this weekend, as Moreton Bay’s team unity and resilience is set to be tested by a seasoned Olympic side.
Olympic FC have struggled to put together a string of positive results, as a run of hard fixtures at the start of the season has resulted in them finding themselves placed ninth on the ladder – despite having played one more game than most of their opponents.
A hard-fought 1-0 loss at home to Peninsula Power last time out was a game that provided little opportunities for Olympic’s front men to have a profound impact.
With exciting young talents Daniel Leck and Jez Lofthouse capable of transitioning defense into attack, Olympic will hope to rectify any issues this time out. However, if they do find themselves in a similar situation this weekend, they will have to take their chances against a compact Moreton Bay defense.
Match Details:
Moreton Bay United v Olympic FC
Sunday, 8 March, 4:00pm
Wolter Park
Sunshine Coast Wanderers v Redlands United
In addition to the top of the league blockbuster taking place on Saturday night, two teams who are struggling down the other end of the table will meet at Ballinger Park on Sunday, when Sunshine Coast Wanderers host Redlands United.
Despite holding leads in games this season – including a 3-1 lead at Capalaba in the last round – Sunshine Coast Wanderers are yet to see out a result and earn themselves their first NPL point, while Redlands United scored just their first goal last night against Brisbane City in a Round 1 catch-up match.
Scoring hasn’t been an issue though for Wanderers front man Jeremy Stewart, who has found the back of the net in all three occasions this season, as he attempts to lead a young Wanderers side from the front.
It is at the back where Wanderers look vulnerable, conceding 11 goals in three games and letting two leads slip – including a heartbreaking loss at John Fredericks Park last weekend. They will see this home tie against Redlands as a chance to break the mold and eliminate any doubts that may be starting to creep into their minds.
Redlands meanwhile have struggled at times in both attack and defense.
A fresh mentality is the theme of this tie, and Redlands United will be desperate to regain their confidence by getting themselves off the mark and gaining some momentum for the season against last year’s FQPL Premiers.
Reliable goalscoring machine Kado Aoci scored his first goal of the season for Redlands last night and will no doubt be ready to make his mark on the season; his experience, alongside the quality of English signing Rory Smith could prove vital in bringing confidence back to an underperforming Redlands side.
Match Details:
Sunshine Coast Wanderers v Redlands United
Sunday, 8 March, 6:00pm
Ballinger Park
Other Round 5 Matches:
Brisbane City v Eastern Suburbs
Saturday, 7 March, 5:30pm
Corporate Travel Management Stadium
Gold Coast United v Magpies Crusaders United
Saturday, 7 March, 6:00pm
Coplick Family Sports Park 1
Lions FC v Capalaba FC
Saturday, 7 March, 7:00pm
Lions Stadium
Brisbane Roar Youth v Brisbane Strikers
Sunday, 8 March, 2:00pm
Logan Metro Sports Complex
Key Players for Round 5:
Jheison Macuace (Gold Coast Knights): After earning a spot in the Team of the Week following his four-goal feast against Redlands, Macuace will no doubt be keen to add to his six league goals against Peninsula Power.
Sam Cronin (Peninsula Power): After featuring in all three Team of the Weeks, scoring six league goals, and coming fresh off the back of a sublime game-winning free kick at Olympic – it is impossible to exclude Cronin from the key players section at the moment.
Joe Duckworth (Lions FC): Scoring in each of his outings for Lions FC so far this season, Duckworth has also been instrumental in much of what Lions have produced going forward – which has been a lot. He will fancy his chances again this weekend against Capalaba.
Words: Darren Newell
Image: Peninsula Power FC