The battle for a spot in the top four is heating up in the Football Queensland Premier League, with the top sides beginning to separate from the pack in both FQPL 1 and FQPL 2.
Match week 11 features several intriguing clashes as mid-table FQPL 1 sides Southside Eagles, Mitchelton FC and Wynnum Wolves all come up against teams in the top six.
League-leaders Brisbane City will be looking to make it 10 wins from 10 games away from home, while cellar-dwellars Sunshine Coast FC and Holland Park Hawks will do battle as both teams look for their second win of the season.
Meanwhile, in the FQPL 2 the top four sides take on the bottom four in an action-packed weekend of football.
The top two teams, Caboolture FC and Grange Thistle, both travel south to the Gold Coast to take on Coomera Colts and Magic United respectively.
Virginia United will meet North Star in a northside derby, while Taringa Rovers come up against Samford Rangers at home.
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Feature matches:
Western Pride v Rochedale Rovers
After a week break due to the Round 9 bye, Rochedale Rovers return to action this Saturday night away from home against Western Pride.
With seven wins in nine games, the Rovers have been super consistent this season and are firming as one of the favourites to gain promotion to the National Premier Leagues in 2022.
Meanwhile, Western Pride have been hot and cold with five wins, three losses and a draw. Both of their last two matches at home, against Brisbane City and Souths United, ended in defeat.
Still, the Ipswich-based side are currently fourth on the ladder with two games in hand over third-placed SWQ Thunder.
A win this weekend at home would keep them in the top four with 11 rounds left to play before finals.
Match details:
Saturday 5 June, 7:00pm
Briggs Road Sporting Complex, Ipswich
Caboolture FC v Magic United
League-leaders Caboolture FC host Magic United on Sunday afternoon determined to bounce back after suffering their first loss of the season last weekend against Grange Thistle.
The Snakes will be without captain Cameron Crestani, who was sent off in the 2-0 loss to Grange Thistle, adding to coach Terry Kirkham’s absentee list.
Despite the loss, Caboolture remain one point clear at the top of the FQPL 2 ladder with a game in hand.
Gold Coast side Magic United will face perhaps their toughest challenge yet and will need a special performance following two consecutive losses away from home.
A positive result against Caboolture is exactly what the new side needs as they prepare for next weekend’s big Gold Coast derby against Coomera Colts.
Match details:
Sunday 6 June, 5:15pm
Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex, Burpengary
Key players:
Byron McLeod (Western Pride): The tall striker opened the scoring for Western last weekend against Holland Park, his fourth goal of the 2021 campaign.
Justin Weier (Southside Eagles): After a Team of the Week performance between the sticks last weekend, Weier faces an even bigger test this Friday against free-scoring Brisbane City.
Stuart Somerville (Grange Thistle): Was the decisive factor in Grange Thistle’s big win over Caboolture last weekend, scoring both goals in an important 2-1 win.
Steven Cross (Samford Rangers): Opened his account last weekend with a brace in Samford’s 7-2 win over Coomera Colts.
FQPL 1 Schedule:
Ipswich Knights v Wynnum Wolves FC
Friday 4 June, 7:30pm
Eric Evans Oval, Bundamba
Mitchelton FC v Souths United
Friday 4 June, 7:30pm
Teralba Park, Mitchelton
Southside Eagles v Brisbane City
Friday 4 June, 8:30pm
Memorial Park, Bulimba
Sunshine Coast FC v Holland Park Hawks
Sunday 6 June, 4:15pm
Kawana Sports Western Precinct, Birtinya
BYE – SWQ Thunder
FQPL 2 Schedule:
Coomera Colts v Grange Thistle
Saturday 5 June, 5:15pm
Viney Park, Coomera
Virginia United FC v North Star
Saturday 5 June, 7:30pm
Albert Bishop Park, Nundah
Taringa Rovers v Samford Rangers
Sunday 6 June, 4:00pm
Jack Speare Park, Indooroopilly
Image: nolanwhitephotography.com
