Key ladder positions are still very much up for grabs in the NPL Women’s and Round 13 throws up some crunch encounters from top to bottom.
The Feature Match brings together two teams who played out an entertaining four-goal draw earlier this season, while there’s a big match in store at Walton Bridge Reserve.
Watch every Round 13 fixture live and on demand at NPL.TV, free for Australian residents.
Feature Match: Mitchelton FC v Eastern Suburbs
Mitchelton FC will be looking to build confidence and put a stop to Eastern Suburbs’ strong form in the Sunday evening Feature Match at Teralba Park.
After falling to a 4-1 defeat at the hands of QAS in mid-week, Mitchelton are still searching for their much-needed third win of the season.
Their most recent victory came against Moreton Bay United at the end of August, when they highlighted their potential by firing seven goals past the hosts.
Easts, in contrast, come into Round 13 off the back of a 5-1 mid-week victory against Souths United, having secured three wins in their last four.
They recorded a 3-2 win over top three side Gold Coast United last weekend, a 3-1 loss to Logan Lightning in Round 7 and a 3-1 win against QAS in Round 6 last month.
With their recent record, they should feel fairly comfortable coming into this weekend’s clash.
But the Tigers would be wise not to underestimate a team who held them to a 2-2 draw at Heath Park in February.
Sofie Persson scored both of Mitchelton’s goals in that game and will again be a key figure in this rematch.
Match Details
Sunday, 20 September, 5pm
Teralba Park
Live Stream Link
Key Matches:
Gap FC v Lions FC
Current ladder leaders Lions FC will travel to take on Gap FC with confidence high after a mid-week 4-0 victory over SWQ Thunder.
That win was their third in a row after they also secured the three points against Souths United and Mitchelton FC, scoring 10 goals and conceding zero in that time.
Hosts Gap FC meanwhile have recorded a mixed bag of results, with their own recent 4-0 win over Thunder following consecutive losses to Gold Coast United and Capalaba FC.
This weekend’s opponents last met in a nail-biting Round 2 clash back in February, with scores locked at 5-5 after 90 minutes and both sides having to settle for just the one point.
Lions’ Mariel Hecher and Tegan Riding and Gap FC’s Alexandria Walker all netted braces, while Laini Freier scored a hat-trick for the Gators in a closely fought battle.
While Lions will fancy their chances this weekend, Gap FC should be just as hungry for the three points as they set out to record a second consecutive victory.
Match Details
Saturday, 19 September, 4pm
Walton Bridge Reserve
Live Stream Link
Souths United v Logan Lightning
Logan Lightning have bounced convincingly back to form since succumbing to Capalaba FC three weeks ago and are now looking prepared to challenge the competition’s strongest sides.
Three sides sit above them on the ladder but, having scored 12 goals and collected six points from their past two matches, Lightning are undoubtedly a team on the rise.
Souths United, meanwhile, are still nursing fresh wounds from tough losses against Lions and Easts in consecutive matches.
They rattled off three victories before that double dose of reality and this is a good opportunity to prove they can still be a formidable outfit.
Souths’ prospects could depend heavily on the team’s top scorer Harriet Withers, who bagged a brace in their 4-2 defeat to Lightning in February.
Match Details
Sunday, 20 September, 5pm
Chris Green Park
Live Stream Link
Other Round 13 Matches:
SWQ Thunder v Capalaba FC
Saturday, 19 September, 3:30pm
Clive Berghofer Stadium
Live Stream Link
Key Players:
Laini Freier (Gap FC): It’s now 17 goals and counting for NPL Women’s Golden Boot leader Freier, a player with more than enough talent to trouble leaders Lions on Saturday.
Jascinta Perrin (SWQ Thunder): Thunder face a difficult challenge when second-placed Capalaba make the trip to Clive Berghofer Stadium but in winger Perrin, a recent Team of the Week selection, they have a dangerous asset who can supply the ammunition for the likes of Louise Rolfe.
Amy Jackson (Logan Lightning): Former Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory midfielder Jackson has brought a wealth of experience to the NPL Women’s and her club is clearly benefiting, as evidenced by her inclusion in the Team of the Week for Round 12.
Image: Lions FC
