The first Ipswich Derby since the beginning of the National Premier Leagues (NPL) Queensland era headlines an exciting round of Football Queensland Premier League (FQPL) action, which also sees title contenders Mitchelton FC and SWQ Thunder face off.
Catch all five Round 22 matches live and on demand at NPL.TV, free for Australian residents.
Key Matches:
Western Pride v Ipswich Knights
Ever since Western Pride were relegated from the NPL Queensland at the end of 2019, football fans across Queensland have eagerly anticipated the first meeting between these two sides in a league match.
Pride seem to have finally found some consistency in their performances after an up and down start to the season, winning their last two matches including an emphatic 4-0 victory over Souths United last time out.
By contrast, Ipswich Knights come into the match off the back of two disappointing home results, being held to a draw last Wednesday by Southside Eagles and losing 1-0 to Mitchelton FC on the weekend.
The Round 22 clash will see midfielder Michael Morrow return to Briggs Road for the first time since leaving Pride to join Knights in the off-season, adding further fuel to the derby fire.
In any case, this game has all the makings of an FQPL classic with both sides hoping to grab city-wide bragging rights and provide a significant boost to their promotion challenge.
Match Details
Saturday, 22 August, 7:00pm
Briggs Road Sporting Complex
Live Stream Link
Mitchelton FC v SWQ Thunder
Mitchelton FC were able to get themselves back into the winner’s circle after three consecutive draws as they defeated Ipswich Knights 1-0 away from home last week.
Despite being undefeated in the 2020 FQPL so far, Mitchelton trail top spot on the ladder by six points, with this weekend’s opponents SWQ Thunder remaining atop the table.
The Toowoomba based outfit are currently in red-hot form, yet to lose a match since the opening round of the season and recording a 3-1 against Wolves away from home in last weekend’s Round 21 clash.
Thunder have been boosted in recent weeks by the emergence of 20-year-old academy product Joseph Scott, who earned a Team of the Week selection after his starting debut against Sunshine Coast FC two weeks ago and scored a brace last week to help his side to a strong win against Wolves.
Match Details
Saturday, 22 August, 6:00pm
Teralba Park
Live Stream Link
Logan Lightning v Sunshine Coast FC
After recording a draw in their last two matches against Mitchelton FC and Rochedale Rovers respectively, Logan Lightning have dropped out of the promotion spot for the first time this season.
The south-siders will have their fingers crossed for Mitchelton to take points off SWQ Thunder this round, but will need to be prepared for a potentially difficult game themselves against Sunshine Coast FC.
The Sunshine Coast side have been in better form recently, securing a draw against Wolves and a 5-3 win over Souths United in their last two matches.
It should be fascinating to watch the unstoppable force of Sunshine Coast striker Dan Bailey meet the immovable object of Logan centre-back Liam Goulding for the first time in their careers, with the two expected to go head-to head-this weekend in Round 22 of the FQPL.
Match Details
Saturday, 22 August, 6:15pm
Cornubia Park
Live Stream Link
Other Round 22 Matches:
Wolves FC v Souths United
Friday, 21 August, 7:00pm
Carmichael Park
Live Stream Link
Southside Eagles v Rochedale Rovers
Saturday, 22 August, 6:00pm
Perry Park
Live Stream Link
Key Players:
Nathan Yoon (Western Pride): The dynamic attacking-midfielder scored a hat-trick last time out against Souths United and will be a tricky customer for Knights to contend with in the Ipswich derby this weekend.
Joseph Scott (SWQ Thunder): The 20-year-old winger has taken the league by storm since breaking into the Thunder first team and will look to continue his recent exploits against Mitchelton FC in Round 22.
Liam Goulding (Logan Lightning): The English defender has been a revelation since joining Logan mid-season but will need to be at his very best against Sunshine Coast FC this weekend while marking opposing striker Dan Bailey.
Words: Jacob Wala
Image: Annette Andrews Photography