There’s hardly been a better time to be an NPL Men’s fan, as anyone who tuned in on Wednesday night can attest.
A thrilling Round 11 delivered 30 goals in five games and we’ve got six more exciting matches on the way this weekend, including tricky away games for the top two.
Watch every Round 14 fixture live and on demand at NPL.TV, free for Australian residents.
Feature Match: Gold Coast Knights v Brisbane Strikers
Gold Coast Knights sat back and watched the carnage unfold in mid-week as the goals flew in and three clubs suffered heavy defeats.
The Champions must have had one eye on events in Richlands, where Brisbane Strikers succumbed to a 4-1 loss to a rampant Lions FC.
Fraser Hills gave his side an 18th-minute lead but the visitors were unable to turn that advantage into what would have been a first victory in six games.
Their focus on ending an increasingly tough run now turns to toppling Knights, who set the template for form reversals with last weekend’s 3-1 win over Capalaba FC.
That result put them back on track following a draw and a defeat in consecutive matches as Max Brown and new arrival Harry Sawyer got among the goals.
Another three points on Saturday would take them above Peninsula Power, who have the bye, and apply pressure to Lions and Olympic FC, both of whom have played two games more than Knights.
This could prove a crucial fixture when it comes to finishing positions for both clubs.
Match Details
Gold Coast Knights v Brisbane Strikers
Saturday, 12 September, 6:30pm
Croatian Sports Centre
Live Stream Link
Key Matches:
Moreton Bay United v Lions FC
Lions have well and truly turned the corner after an unconvincing August.
Wednesday’s win not only kept them in top spot, it was the seventh time this season they have scored four goals or more in a game.
Brothers Henry and Mitch Hore did the bulk of the damage against Strikers and add more attacking layers to the all-round goalscoring potency that will be on display at Wolter Park this weekend.
Moreton Bay United are sure to deliver their share of thrills after hitting three goals and twice taking the lead in a heartbreaking 4-3 defeat to third-placed Power.
While a decisive Peninsula penalty in the dying moments denied the Jets a well-earned result, it did nothing to curb the view that this Moreton Bay outfit has the quality to consistently trouble the top teams.
Match Details
Sunday, 13 September, 3:30pm
Wolter Park
Live Stream Link
Gold Coast United v Olympic FC
Is there an NPL Men’s team in better form than Olympic?
Probably not, at least when considering the past three games. Ben Cahn’s side have recorded wins over Lions, Brisbane City and Redlands United in that period, scoring nine goals and conceding one.
Next up comes a visit to Coplick Family Sports Park and a rematch with Gold Coast United, whom they beat 1-0 back in Round 1 thanks to Jez Lofthouse’s lone goal.
United have won four games, drawn four and lost three since then to sit sixth on 16 points.
Their most recent result was Wednesday’s 3-3 draw away to Capalaba, which featured a two-goal lead, an eventual deficit and, ultimately, a Shane Smeltz equaliser in the 88th minute.
Going one better and upsetting the in-form Olympic would do wonders for United’s chances of qualifying for the Finals Series, which remains a realistic objective considering they have games in hand on three of the teams above.
Match Details
Saturday, 12 September, 4:30pm
Coplick Family Sports Park
Live Stream Link
Other Matches:
Brisbane City v Redlands United
Saturday, 12 September, 5:30pm
Corporate Travel Management Stadium
Live Stream Link
Eastern Suburbs v Capalaba FC
Saturday, 12 September, 7:00pm
Heath Park
Live Stream Link
Brisbane Roar Youth v Sunshine Coast Wanderers
Sunday, 13 September, 5:00pm
Logan Metro Sports Complex
Live Stream Link
Key Players:
Max Brown (Gold Coast Knights): Back on the scoresheet against Capalaba last weekend, midfielder Brown will be feeling good as he looks to showcase his class in Saturday evening’s Feature Match.
Danny Kim (Lions FC): There was no waiting around following Kim’s return from his loan spell at Brisbane Roar as Lions thrust their star man straight back into the starting XI. He didn’t miss a beat, a good sign for the leaders ahead of their trip to Wolter Park.
Michael Thwaite (Gold Coast United): United’s defence is set for an examination against Olympic after conceding three in mid-week. Captain and veteran centre-back Thwaite could hold the key to an improved performance.
Image: Gold Coast Knights/East End Digital
