An intriguing weekend of football awaits as eight sides go to battle in the opening round of the Football Queensland Premier League Women’s competition.
Round 1 of the FQPL Women’s follows the split of the NPL Women’s league at the halfway mark of the season, with nine teams now competing in the new FQPL league.
The stakes will be high, with the team that finishes at the top of the table at the conclusion of the season securing promotion to the NPL Women’s in 2022.
The Gap FC will kick things off on Friday night against Brisbane City, before Olympic FC welcome Logan Lightning for a Saturday night clash.
Two Sunday matches will see Virginia United take on Western Pride, while there will be points up for grabs in Toowoomba as SWQ Thunder host Peninsula Power.
Feature Matches
Olympic FC v Logan Lightning
Olympic FC will be looking for a fast start to the new FQPL season after suffering back-to-back losses in the past fortnight.
They come up against Logan Lightning, who are fighting on two fronts with commitments in the FQPL and Kappa Women’s Super Cup.
Brittney Lacek has been inspirational for Logan, scoring consistently throughout the season as well as netting the winning goal in Lightning’s recent Quarter Final Cup win over Souths United.
A win over Olympic this weekend to get things underway will be crucial for the visitors if they are to achieve promotion to the NPL Women’s for 2022.
Match Details
Saturday 24 July, 8:15pm
Goodwin Park
The Gap v Brisbane City
Brisbane City will be keen to bounce back from last round’s loss against Eastern Suburbs as they take on The Gap this weekend in the opening round.
Recording one win, one draw and a loss in their three matches prior, City will be looking for some consistency in performance across their first few games in the FQPL Women’s.
Their opponents The Gap will have a task ahead of them though following the departure of striker Georgia Beaumont and a number of other players in the recent transfer window.
Last time the two sides met back in April, City recorded a 4-1 win and will seek to make it two from two this weekend.
Match Details
Friday, 23 July, 8:30pm
Walton Bridge Reserve
Key players:
Brittney Lacek (Logan Lightning): Lacek has been a rock for Logan all year, netting 11 goals in 15 games.
Abbey Lloyd (Western Pride): With 16 goals in 12 matches, Lloyd has led the line superbly for the Pride and will be crucial if they are to be achieve promotion to the NPL.
Darcie Wilson (Brisbane City): Her side’s leading goal scorer, Wilson has scored 15 goals in 12 matches and could be key against The Gap this weekend.
Click here for the FQPL Round 1 Schedule.
Image: Josh Springfield/Olympic FC