Logan Lighting will hope it’s second time lucky as they aim to secure promotion from the Football Queensland Premier League (FQPL) in a grandstand finish to the regular season.
Elsewhere, the fascinating race for fourth comes down to two clubs and two crunch clashes.
Watch all five must-see Round 18 matches live on NPL.TV, free for Australian residents.
Feature Match: Mitchelton FC v Logan Lightning
It’s a simple equation for Logan.
Win and they will be competing in the top-tier NPL Men’s competition next season. Lose or draw and SWQ Thunder will be promoted instead. Thunder’s superior number of victories means a point will not be enough.
The task, however, is far from straightforward.
Nerves might understandably be a factor after their first shot at sealing promotion ended in a 2-0 defeat at Rochedale on Tuesday.
That was just their second defeat all season and first since August. Complicating matters further is the fact that Mitchelton, their opponents and hosts this Sunday, will surely be eager to spoil any celebrations. The Mustangs have already frustrated Logan once this season, claiming a 2-2 draw at Cornubia Park in Round 7.
But if Lightning are to be crowned Premiers then massive challenges like this must be overcome.
Toowoomba and the wider Queensland football community will be watching closely.
Match Details
Sunday, 15 November, 6:00pm
Teralba Park
Live Stream Link
Other Key Matches:
Holland Park Hawks v Rochedale Rovers
The final round’s other significant storyline centres on the battle for the last available Finals Series spot.
As it stands, fifth-placed Rochedale are on the outside looking in – the Underwood Park outfit need to better Wolves FC’s result this weekend to sneak into fourth.
That means at least a draw, and more probably a victory, must be secured against Holland Park Hawks.
Rovers prevailed 3-1 when the teams met at the start of September, with Greg Cheshire and Matthew Boyd scoring early goals before Jayke Cuschieri sealed the points late on.
Cheshire also scored the opener in the surprise win over Logan and in last weekend’s last-gasp 2-1 triumph over Souths United.
Rochedale have now won three on the trot, while Holland Park have been generally competitive in recent weeks despite not earning a point since late September.
Match Details
Friday, 13 November, 8:30pm
Whites Hill Reserve
Live Stream Link
Sunshine Coast FC v Wolves FC
There’s a cracker on the cards at Kawana Western Precinct this Sunday afternoon, especially if Rochedale hold up their end of the bargain on Friday night.
Though level on points with Rovers after 19 games, Wolves have won more matches and therefore only need to match whatever result their rivals secure.
Crucially, Wolves have brushed aside recent form concerns. Matt Chandler’s men comfortably accounted for Souths at the end of October and then beat Holland Park 3-1 last time out.
Against Sunshine Coast FC in August, however, they were held to a 1-1 draw after Kirito Higuchi cancelled out Carlton Westerdale’s opening goal.
That was at Carmichael Park, and a trip up the M1 with a Finals Series spot in the balance only seems a tougher assignment.
This crucial encounter demands attention.
Match Details
Sunday, 15 November, 4:00pm
Kawana Western Precinct
Live Stream Link
Other Round 18 Matches:
Southside Eagles v Ipswich Knights
Saturday, 14 November, 6:00pm
Perry Park
Live Stream Link
Souths United v Western Pride
Saturday, 14 November, 6:30pm
Wakerley Park
Live Stream Link
Players to Watch:
Adam Edgar (Logan Lightning): Now is the time for star players to step up and there’s none more important for Logan than Edgar, their impressive striker and leading scorer with 13 goals.
Max Mikkola (Wolves FC): For Finals Series aspirants Wolves, winger Mikkola will be the one to watch. His 11 goals have been vital to lifting the team into fourth.
Greg Cheshire (Rochedale Rovers): One of Rochedale’s most experienced squad members, Cheshire will be the man his team-mates look to if trouble begins to brew at White Hill Reserve on Friday night. Cheshire has struck 10 goals in 2020, six more than any other Rovers player.
Image: David Wilson Photography
