The race for the NPL Men’s premiership is on as Brisbane Roar gain ground on league-leaders Peninsula Power.
Although Power have two games in hand over the Roar, their lead at the top of the table looks in doubt for the first time this season.
Power are in action this Sunday against 11th placed Capalaba FC, while the Roar take on seventh-placed Moreton Bay United.
For third-placed Gold Coast Knights, who qualified for the FFA Cup Round of 16 on Wednesday night, attention returns to the league as they host Eastern Suburbs on Sunday.
Last year’s NPL Men’s Champions Lions FC have hit form at just the right time, stringing together five wins on the trot to move into the top four.
Lions are away in Mackay against Magpies Crusaders this weekend as they look to continue their march up the ladder.
With just four points separating third from seventh place, Sunshine Coast Wanderers, Olympic FC and Moreton Bay United will all fancy their chances of qualifying for the Finals Series.
Meanwhile, in the FQPL Men’s competition, Brisbane City and Caboolture FC have secured the premierships in FQPL 1 and FQPL 2 respectively.
Both City and Caboolture are away this weekend, with City taking on Rochedale Rovers and Caboolture up against Virginia United.
In FQPL 1, Western Pride host Ipswich Knights in a local derby, while Magic United and Coomera Colts face off in an FQPL 2 Gold Coast derby.
In the NPL Women’s competition, Lions FC could wrap up the 2021 premiership this weekend against Moreton Bay United.
Elsewhere, Eastern Suburbs and Souths United are both eyeing off that coveted fourth spot, while Gold Coast United take on Sunshine Coast Wanderers in a Clash of the Coasts.
In the FQPL Women’s competition, the three top sides – Olympic FC, Brisbane City and Western Pride – are all at home as they battle for that coveted top spot.
Fans can watch all First Grade NPL and FQPL matches LIVE on NPL.TV, free for Australian residents.
Feature Matches:
Souths United v Capalaba FC
Souths United host Capalaba FC this Saturday night at home as they look to arrest a form slump that has seen them lose three games in a row.
After entering the second phase of the 2021 season in third place, Souths have fallen to fifth and are in danger of missing out on the Finals Series.
By contrast, Capalaba have gone from strength to strength, winning their past five matches.
Last weekend’s 8-1 win over Eastern Suburbs underlined Capalaba’s attacking prowess, with Amber Simms, Billie Murphy and Larissa Crummer all bagging two goals each.
The last time these two sides met, in May, Souths went down 1-0 at home, with Crummer scoring the winner in the dying minutes.
Souths will be keen to avenge that result and take all three points as they fight to return to the top four.
Match Details
Saturday 18 September, 6:30pm
Wakerley Park, Runcorn
Brisbane Roar v Moreton Bay United
Second plays seventh this weekend at Wolter Park as Brisbane Roar take on Moreton Bay United.
After three wins on the trot, Brisbane Roar are one point behind league-leaders Peninsula Power.
Cyrus Dehmie returned to the scoresheet last weekend with a double as the Roar registered an important win over Olympic FC.
Moreton Bay, who are just two points behind fourth-placed Lions FC, are still very much in the race for a top four spot.
Since the COVID-enforced break, MBU have registered two big wins interspersed with a loss at the hands of Gold Coast Knights.
The last time these two sides met, in June, Moreton Bay snatched a dramatic late win after scoring two goals in added time.
Match Details
Sunday 19 September, 6:00pm
Wolter Park, Albany Creek
Key players:
Cyrus Dehmie (Brisbane Roar): Scored two goals last weekend against Olympic to take his tally to 18 in 16 games.
Nathan Beagley (Moreton Bay United): Earned a spot in FQ’s Team of the Week after a strong performance last weekend against Capalaba.
Larissa Crummer (Capalaba FC): The gun striker bagged yet another brace last weekend as Capalaba beat Easts 8-1 to send a statement of intent throughout the competition.
Tara O’Keefe (Lions FC): The classy midfielder earned a spot in FQ’s Team of the Week in last weekend’s win over Sunshine Coast Wanderers.
Click here for the NPL Men’s Round 25 Schedule.
Click here for the FQPL 1 Men’s Round 19 Schedule.
Click here for the FQPL 2 Men’s Round 17 Schedule.
Click here for the NPL Women’s Round 7 Schedule.
Click here for the FQPL Women’s Round 9 Schedule.
Image: Joshua Springfield