Round 16 of the National Premier Leagues (NPL) Queensland Men’s brought a three-way tie to the summit.
Olympic FC were held to a draw by Gold Coast Knights, while Lions FC and Peninsula Power capitalised on the stumble with resounding victories over Sunshine Coast Wanderers and Brisbane Roar Youth respectively. Redlands United were resigned to the ignominy of a second derby loss to Capalaba FC, while Brisbane Strikers continued their resurgence away to Brisbane City.
With two of the triumvirate occupied in this week’s feature match, a single stake at the summit is a palpable prospect, with three points the prerogative for the mid-table sides as they look to sew the pocket shut between fifth and finals football.
Fans can watch all First Grade NPL Men’s matches live and on demand on NPL.TV, free for Australian residents.
Feature Match: Peninsula Power v Olympic FC
The events of Round 16 set up this week’s Feature Match as the round’s most enticing, with the omnipotent Olympic FC facing up against the distinguished Peninsula Power in what is poised as a potential Premiership clash.
Power have been the storm brewing in the north ever since their NPL Queensland inauguration last season. Coasting to a 3rd place finish, Aaron Philp’s men have elevated their game to a new stratum this year, and are reaping the rewards as they form the final member of the table-topping trio.
Annealing an uninspired start to the season with a narrow win over Brisbane Roar Youth in Round 22, Power have looked almost unstoppable. Collecting 25 points from their subsequent 10 matches, a run blighted by just a single loss to Lions FC, the 2019 Semi Finalists will hope to capitalise on their two-game advantage.
The Redcliffe-based side demonstrated their table-topping credentials against Sunshine Coast Wanderers, who were powerless to stop the stunning attack that struck four. Power will be cognisant that an undisputed stake at the top is a tangible prospect come Friday’s foray.
The paradigms of Olympic’s season have well and truly shifted since the season’s resumption round. An eight-game unbeaten streak has salved a start to the season that saw the side secure just eight points, catapulting them back into the Premiership conversation.
Buoyed by an ardent 4-0 win over Capalaba at the recommencement of the season, Coach of the Month Ben Cahn has had his men looking head and shoulders above the competition. Their free-flowing brand of attacking football has garnered them 26 points from their past 11 games.
Sitting sanguinely at the summit coming into Round 16, their stalemate with Gold Coast Knights provided the balm for Power and Lions to spite their sole spot at the summit.
Charting a course out of the congestion will be on the agenda for last year’s Grand Finalists. The attacking nous of Daniel Leck and the scintillating Tasuku Sekiya will be key to unlocking the defensive pairing of Cameron Crestani and Trent McEvoy, both of whom were included in August’s Player of the Month selection for their efforts.
Match Details
Friday, 2 October, 7:30pm
A.J. Kelly Park
Live Stream Link
Other Key Matches:
Lions FC v Gold Coast United
The pride of Richlands will welcome an out of sorts Gold Coast United to the hunting grounds as Lions FC stalk an uncontested spot at the top.
Having slumped to second after succumbing to a 2-1 loss to Moreton Bay United, they clawed themselves back into Premiership contention after emulating their Round 15 reprisal against Redlands United in a 4-0 win over Brisbane Roar Youth last Sunday.
Lashing home 16 goals from their previous five clashes, Lions will be hoping for a profitable pursuit as they converge on a tame Gold Coast United outfit.
Shaping up to be this season’s dark horse with their swathe of summer signings, inconsistency has undone any glimpses of glory that the Gold Coast side have offered this season.
Having not tasted success since an onerous 3-2 win over Brisbane Strikers in Round 26, United will be resolved in snapping their six-game winless streak, and will be invigorated by the point snaffled in last week’s 1-1 draw with Eastern Suburbs.
Match Details
Saturday, 3 October, 7:00pm
Lions Stadium
Live Stream Link
Moreton Bay United v Brisbane Strikers
Moreton Bay United have been of the competition’s most unassuming operators this season.
Going about their business without plaudits, they find themselves sitting a point shy of fifth, and will be looking to steer themselves towards finals football with a win against Brisbane Strikers.
Triumphing over the then table-topping Lions in Round 14, United vindicated their pedigree in a 2-1 win over Sunshine Coast Wanderers, their two-match winning streak fortifying them for Saturday’s skirmish.
Strikers found themselves languishing a point adrift from the bottom going into the season’s suspension, a draw against the Young Roar their only saving grace.
A stellar restart period reignited their season aspirations, with three losses from their previous twelve cementing a solid if unspectacular ninth place.
With their tenacity often the determining factor for them this season, they’ll be hoping that their Round 16 win over rivals Brisbane City was the octane they needed to propel themselves into the stratosphere of finals football.
Match Details
Saturday, 3 October, 7:00pm
Wolter Park
Live Stream Link
Other Round 17 Matches:
Brisbane Roar Youth v Eastern Suburbs
Saturday, 3 October, 6:00pm
Heath Park
Live Stream Link
Gold Coast Knights v Redlands United
Saturday, 3 October, 6:00pm
Croatian Sports Centre
Live Stream Link
Sunshine Coast Wanderers v Capalaba FC
Saturday, 3 October, 7:00pm
Ballinger Park
Live Stream Link
Key Players:
Sam Roper (Peninsula Power): A staple in this season’s Team of the Week, the rambunctious Roper has been irrepressible in the engine room as Power have risen up the ranks.
Aidan Munford (Gold Coast United): The gloveman has often been the difference for Gold Coast United this season, his penchant for a stunning save crucial as he looks to stem the orange onslaught come this weekend.
Tasuku Sekiya (Olympic FC): Olympic’s marquee man was at his vivacious best against the Knights, his innate vision and cultured passing threatening to challenge Power’s title hopes.
Words: Angus Barnes
Image: Patrick Kearney/Olympic FC