A top four clash will headline Round 21 of the NPL Women’s competition as sides set out to rediscover some form following the break.
Catch every NPL Women’s match live on NPL.TV, free for Australian residents.
Feature Match: Gold Coast United v Logan Lightning
Gold Coast United come into the Round 21 Feature Match off the back of a 2-0 win over Mitchelton FC last week, and sit in second just three points behind ladder leaders Lions FC, having played one less match in 2020.
Their form prior to the break saw the side record one draw and three wins, including a dominant victory against Moreton Bay United in which Canadian forward Isabelle Habuda netted a stunning four goals.
As they go in search of back-to-back wins, United will face Logan Lightning in what is set to be a close encounter going off recent form as just one point separates the sides.
Logan remain in fourth spot, locked on points with third-placed Eastern Suburbs and only four points behind Lions in first. A 2-1 win last week against a strong Gap FC side should give the visitors some confidence going into their Round 21 encounter, after a 93rd minute goal from Meaghan McElligott sealed the three points in their first game back.
Logan Lightning have lost only one match this season, falling to defeat at the hands of ladder leaders Lions FC in a 5-3 loss just before the break.
In-form goalscorers Natalia Pinkney, Shea Connors and Tiarne Petterwood should provide the necessary strike power as they come up against Gold Coast United this weekend, with the former having scored six goals in four matches and Connor and Petterwood each already bagging five in just three and four games respectively.
Match Details
Gold Coast United v Logan Lightning
Saturday, 8 August, 1:30pm
Coplick Family Sports Park
One to Watch: Souths United v Gap FC
Souths United and Gap FC come into their Round 21 encounter boasting varied records following the return to football.
Souths United have secured one draw and one win since the break, recording a draw against Eastern Suburbs in Round 19 before a win in Round 20 against Capalaba FC.
Dominique Spampinato has been the difference for Souths, netting a goal in each of their last two matches to help her side to an undefeated run of three matches including their 3-3 draw with the QAS side just before the break.
Gap FC meanwhile have recorded three wins, one draw and two losses in an inconsistent start to the season. After finding some form just before the suspension of football, the break has halted their progress and seen them fall to back-to-back defeats at the hands of Logan Lightning and Eastern Suburbs.
This weekend’s clash will be a chance to leapfrog into the top four as they remain in 5th, just two points behind Logan and Easts, but they’ll need to rediscover their winning ways against a Souths side fresh off the back of a Round 20 victory.
Match Details
Souths United v Gap FC
Saturday, 8 August, 6pm
Wakerley Park 2
Other Round 21 Matches:
Eastern Suburbs v SWQ Thunder
Saturday, 8 August, 6:30pm
Heath Park
Lions FC v QAS
Sunday, 9 August, 4pm
Lions Stadium
Mitchelton FC v Capalaba FC
Sunday, 9 August, 5pm
Teralba Park
Players to Watch:
Dominique Spampinato (Souths United): If anyone can help Souths extend their unbeaten run it’s Spampinato, who has proved the difference for her side since the season’s return.
Zoe Lambi (Eastern Suburbs): The attacking midfielder’s Round 20 performance for Easts saw her earn not only a spot in Team of the Week, but also a Goals of the Week nomination.
Shea Connors (Logan Lightning): Connors has already netted five goals in only three games for Logan this season, and could be key to her side’s performance this weekend in what is set to be a tightly-contested match.
Image: Gold Coast United
