After the Easter long weekend break, Round 5 of the NPL Men’s competition and Round 4 of the NPL Women’s kicks off on Friday night.
In the men’s competition, Peninsula Power and Brisbane Roar Youth remain unbeaten, while four clubs – Brisbane Strikers, Redlands United, Eastern Suburbs and Gold Coast United – are yet to win a game.
It will be a Clash of the Coasts on Sunday afternoon as Gold Coast United travel north to take on the Sunshine Coast Wanderers.
At the other end of the ladder, Eastern Suburbs have a tough assignment against a hot Olympic FC side that put four past Moreton Bay United in last weekend’s FFA Cup match.
Meanwhile, in the women’s competition, the Western Derby between Western Pride and SWQ Thunder takes place in Ipswich on Sunday afternoon, while Capalaba FC face Virginia United after a smart 1-0 win over The Gap FC on Wednesday night.
Fans can watch all First Grade NPL Men’s and Women’s matches live on NPL.TV, free for Australian residents.
Feature matches
Gold Coast Knights v Brisbane Roar Youth
Three wins on the trot will have Gold Coast Knights full of confidence for Sunday’s blockbuster clash against league-leaders Brisbane Roar Youth.
The Knights have beaten Brisbane Strikers, Magpies Crusaders United and Capalaba after an opening round loss to Lions FC, scoring an impressive 11 goals in the process.
Roar Youth has never beaten or scored a goal against the Knights in the past two seasons, although that could all change this weekend at the Croatian Sports Centre.
Roar Youth are top of the table after a red-hot start to the 2021 season, with 15 goals scored and just three conceded.
In a battle of the two most prolific teams in the NPL Men’s competition, all eyes will be on Knights’ Colombian striker Jheison Macuace, who has scored six goals in four games, and Roar Youth’s in-form marksman Alex Parsons, who leads the Golden Boot race with seven goals.
Parsons, who netted a hattrick against the Strikers in Round 4, has been ably supported by Josh Moreland, Keegan Jelacic and Cyrus Dehmie, who recently made his A-League debut.
Coach Chris Grossman will also no doubt be pleased with the form of defenders Rhys Gray and Izaack Powell, who have helped Roar Youth maintain the second-best defensive record this season.
A win for Roar Youth would extend their unbeaten streak to five games, while victory for Knights would see the Gold Coast side leapfrog Roar Youth at the top of the table.
Match Details:
Sunday 11 April, 4:00pm
Croatian Sports Centre, Carrara
WATCH
Souths United v Logan Lightning
In the NPL Women’s competition, Souths United will host Logan Lightning in a southside derby at Wakerley Park.
Souths have played just one game this season after the club’s opening round bye was followed by two washouts, while Logan are searching for its first win after two losses and a draw.
While Logan have had a tough start to the season against three top sides in Lions FC, Moreton Bay United and the QAS, there are plenty of positives for head coach Nick Croydon. Despite not winning a game, Logan have scored eight goals – including five in a frenetic Round 2 draw against Moreton Bay.
New signing Brittney Lacek, who joined Logan from Coomera Colts this season after winning the 2020 Brisbane WPL Player of the Year, has scored four goals and already looks at home at Cornubia Park.
For Souths, it will be a welcome return to football after three weeks of inaction. Creative midfielder Rie Kitano is always a threat in the final third, while new signing Kylie Vecchio scored her maiden NPL goal on debut against SWQ Thunder in Round 2.
Match Details:
Sunday 11 April, 4:00pm
Wakerley Park, Runcorn
WATCH
Key players:
Cai Tipaldo (Gold Coast Knights) – Tipaldo, who scored 13 goals for Brisbane Roar Youth last season, has returned to the Knights for 2021 and comes up against his former club this weekend.
Jez Lofthouse (Olympic FC) – Lofthouse had a sensational game against Moreton Bay United last weekend in the FFA Cup and may be too much for an Easts side that is yet to win a game this season.
Ellen Gett (QAS) – The QAS striker has scored three goals in as many games, helping the QAS to an unbeaten start to 2021.
Cannon Clough (Lions FC) – The fullback has been crucial to Lions’ winning start to the season, twice earning a spot in the Team of the Week.
NPL Men’s Schedule:
Eastern Suburbs v Olympic FC
Friday 9 April, 7:30pm
Heath Park, East Brisbane
WATCH
Lions FC v Redlands United
Friday 9 April, 7:30pm
Lions Stadium, Richlands
WATCH
Peninsula Power v Moreton Bay United
Saturday 10 April, 6:30pm
AJ Kelly Park, Kippa Ring
WATCH
Capalaba FC v Magpies Crusaders United
Saturday 10 April, 7:15pm
Max Haynes Field, Capalaba
WATCH
Sunshine Coast Wanderers v Gold Coast United
Sunday 11 April, 4:00pm
Ballinger Park, Buderim
WATCH
Brisbane Strikers v Logan Lightning
Sunday 11 April, 6:00pm
Perry Park, Bowen Hills
WATCH
NPL Women’s Schedule:
Moreton Bay United v Eastern Suburbs
Friday 9 April, 8:30pm
Wolter Park, Albany Creek
WATCH
Brisbane City v Peninsula Power
Saturday 10 April, 6:00pm
Corporate Travel Management Stadium, Newmarket
WATCH
Mitchelton FC v Gold Coast United
Saturday 10 April, 6:15pm
Teralba Park, Mitchelton
WATCH
Western Pride v SWQ Thunder
Sunday 11 April, 4:15pm
Briggs Road Sporting Complex, Ipswich
WATCH
Sunshine Coast Wanderers v Lions FC
Sunday 11 April, 6:00pm
Ballinger Park, Buderim
WATCH
Capalaba FC v Virginia United
Sunday 11 April, 6:00pm
Max Haynes Field, Capalaba
WATCH
BYE – The Gap FC
Image: Capture One – Sports Media.
