Round 6 of the NPL Men’s competition and Round 5 of the NPL Women’s kicks off this weekend.
In the men’s competition, Peninsula Power and Gold Coast Knights remain unbeaten at the top of the table, while Brisbane Strikers and Redlands United meet on Friday night with both sides yet to earn a point.
Up north, Magpies Crusaders United face a tough test at home in Mackay against leaders Peninsula Power, while Eastern Suburbs are looking for back-to-back wins against fifth-placed Moreton Bay United after a sensational snatch-and-grab win over Olympic FC last weekend.
In the women’s competition, Lions FC will host Capalaba FC in a rematch of last year’s semifinal. Capalaba had a shock loss to Virginia United on Tuesday night and will be fired-up to knock off the league leaders and send a message to the rest of the competition.
Meanwhile, Peninsula Power, Eastern Suburbs and SWQ Thunder are all searching for points after a losing start to the season.
Fans can watch all First Grade NPL Men’s and Women’s matches live on NPL.TV, free for Australian residents.
Feature matches:
Redlands United v Brisbane Strikers
The opening rounds of the 2021 season have been grim for Redlands United and Brisbane Strikers, with both teams losing four consecutive matches and conceding 13 goals.
Redlands were outplayed by Lions FC last weekend in a 5-1 loss, while the Strikers are coming off a 3-0 defeat to Logan Lightning and a 6-0 drubbing at the hands of Brisbane Roar Youth.
Strikers’ head coach John Kosmina, who re-joined the club this season after first coaching the Strikers in the National Soccer League in the early 2000s, will be looking for an improved performance from his young squad away from home.
For Redlands, Friday night’s game is the first of consecutive matches against former NSL powerhouse clubs. Four days after its clash against the Strikers, Redlands will face Brisbane City in the FFA Cup.
Brisbane City was relegated to FQPL 1 last season, and the same outcome looms as a very real possibility for Redlands and the Strikers.
With both clubs anchored at the bottom of the table, Friday night’s match is a terrific opportunity for a first win to kick-start the season.
Match details:
Friday 16 April, 7:30pm
Compass Grounds, Cleveland
Brisbane City v The Gap FC
In the NPL Women’s competition, high-flying Brisbane City will host The Gap FC in Newmarket on Saturday evening.
City are unbeaten in its first season in the NPL, with four consecutive wins against Sunshine Coast Wanderers, Mitchelton FC, Peninsula Power and, most recently, the QAS.
Meanwhile, The Gap have started its campaign with convincing wins over Mitchelton FC and Peninsula Power before going down 1-0 to Capalaba last Wednesday evening.
Gap head coach Mick Gallo will be looking to bounce back straight away as the club faces several tough games over the next six weeks.
Beginning this weekend, The Gap will play the league’s top six sides in Brisbane City, Gold Coast United, Lions FC, Moreton Bay United, the QAS and Souths United.
Gallo will also be hoping for the return of classy centre-back Heidi Palmer, who missed The Gap’s loss to Capalaba due to injury.
Palmer’s composure at the back will be invaluable as The Gap look to contain City’s gun striker Darcie Wilson, who has scored in every game so far this season.
The Gap comfortably beat Brisbane City 3-1 in pre-season, but Saturday night’s clash is expected to be a much closer affair as City seek to protect its unbeaten streak and stay at the top of the table with Lions FC.
Match Details:
Saturday 17 April, 7:30pm
Corporate Travel Management Stadium, Newmarket
Key players:
Jayden Balarezo (Eastern Suburbs) — Balarezo had a great game last Friday night in Easts’ comeback win over Olympic FC, scoring a stunning goal and creating another to help the Tigers to its first win of the season.
Jordan Farina (Lions FC) — Farina followed up his hattrick against Redlands United in Round 5 with a goal against Logan Metro in the midweek FFA Cup clash, and will be looking to add to his tally this Saturday against Gold Coast United.
Christina Amajouyi (The Gap FC) — Christina has been The Gap’s most dangerous attacking player this season, scoring and creating crucial goals for the Gators.
Dominique Spampinato (Souths United) — The Souths goal-poacher scored a match-winning hattrick last weekend against Logan Lightning and will be a key player again as Souths look to move into the top five.
NPL Men’s Schedule:
Logan Lightning v Gold Coast Knights
Saturday 17 April, 4:15pm
Cornubia Park, Loganholme
Moreton Bay United v Eastern Suburbs FC
Saturday 17 April, 6:00pm
Wolter Park, Albany Creek
Gold Coast United v Lions FC
Saturday 17 April, 6:30pm
Coplick Family Sports Park, Tallebudgera
Magpies Crusaders United v Peninsula Power
Saturday 17 April, 7:30pm
Sologinkin Oval, Mackay
Olympic FC v Sunshine Coast Wanderers
Sunday 18 April, 6:00pm
Goodwin Park, Yeronga
Brisbane Roar Youth v Capalaba FC
Sunday 18 April, 6:15pm
Max Haynes Field, Capalaba
NPL Women’s Schedule:
Souths United v Olympic FC
Friday 16 April, 8:30pm
Wakerley Park, Runcorn
Lions FC v Capalaba FC
Saturday 17 April, 6:00pm
Lions Stadium, Richlands
QAS v Eastern Suburbs FC
Saturday 17 April, 6:15pm
Clem Jones Fields, Meakin Park
Mitchelton FC v Virginia United
Saturday 17 April, 6:15pm
Teralba Park, Mitchelton
Peninsula Power v Gold Coast United
Saturday 17 April, 6:30pm
AJ Kelly Park, Kippa Ring
Logan Lightning v SWQ Thunder
Saturday 17 April, 6:30pm
Cornubia Park, Loganholme
Sunshine Coast Wanderers v Moreton Bay United
Sunday 18 April, 4:15pm
Ballinger Park, Buderim
Image: Ray Gardner