A top of the table clash with be the headline fixture of Round 5 of the Football Queensland Premier League (FQPL) as 2nd placed SWQ Thunder host league leaders Logan Lightning this Sunday.
All five Round 5 matches this weekend will be available to watch live and on demand at NPL.TV, free for Australian residents.
Key Matches:
SWQ Thunder v Logan Lightning
This is the match-up everyone has been waiting for in the FQPL, as the two early season promotion favourites face off for the first time.
SWQ Thunder, who were relegated from the NPL Queensland in 2019, responded to a Round 1 loss against Rochedale Rovers in the best way possible, winning all of their next four matches.
Their most recent game saw them comfortably take care of business against Souths United with a 5-2 home win, led by Italian import Pasquale De Vita who scored a brace.
Logan Lightning meanwhile have been a dominant force so far this season, winning all four of their league matches and sitting in first place on goal difference, ahead of Thunder, with a game in hand.
They too enjoyed a strong win last time out, thrashing Southside Eagles 6-2 with English import Liam Goulding impressing on his debut for the club.
This weekend’s away game in Toowoomba will be Logan’s biggest test so far this season and the result will no doubt have lasting consequences on the always competitive FQPL promotion race come season’s end.
Match Details
Sunday, 2 August, 3pm
Clive Berghofer Stadium
Live Stream Link
Mitchelton v Souths United
Despite only playing three matches so far this season, Mitchelton have emerged as a dark horse promotion contender, playing every game at break-neck-pace under coach Daniel Pennisi.
The Mustangs will be full of confidence after their mid-week fixture against Rochedale Rovers in which they recorded a 2-0 win over the 2019 Champions to extend their unbeaten streak to three from three.
Souths United by contrast come into this match off the back of a humbling 5-2 defeat away to SWQ Thunder last weekend and are in serious need of a confidence booster, having only amassed three points from their opening five fixtures.
They will be hoping that Remy Bwormoi can build on a fantastic performance against Thunder last time out, during which he scored his first two goals for the club after joining from St George Willawong in the off-season.
Match Details
Sunday, 2 August, 6pm
Teralba Park
Live Stream Link
Wolves FC v Western Pride
Wolves’ start to the 2020 FQPL campaign has been far from ideal to say the least, with the side yet to earn a point in three matches played.
The club’s last game took place back in March and was one to forget for the Wynnum outfit, as they fell to a 6-1 defeat at the hands of a rampant Ipswich Knights side at Eric Evans Oval.
Their opponents Western Pride have experienced an up and down start to the campaign, and are currently sitting on six points after five matches.
The former NPL Queensland Champions recorded a disappointing mid-week loss against Holland Park Hawks, who recorded their second consecutive win in 2020.
One player who cannot be accused of underperforming for Pride is forward Yuta Hirayama who has scored an impressive five goals in just three matches, and could prove the difference yet again against a Wolves team desperate to kick start their season with a victory.
Match Details
Friday, 31 July, 7:30pm
Carmichael Park
Live Stream Link
Other Matches to Watch:
Holland Park Hawks v Ipswich Knights
Saturday, 1 August, 6:30pm
Whites Hill Reserve
Live Stream Link
Sunshine Coast FC v Southside Eagles
Sunday, 2 August, 4:00pm
Kawana Western Precinct
Live Stream Link
Key Players:
Pasquale De Vita (SWQ Thunder): Italian import De Vita has so far been a fantastic addition to this Thunder side and will be hoping to add to his tally of three goals in as many games so far this season.
Liam Goulding (Logan Lightning): The English centre-back put in a commanding performance on his Logan debut last week and will have to be at this best to contain Thunder’s deadly strike force of Anthony Grant and Pasquale De Vita.
Remy Bwormoi (Souths United): Bwormoi announced himself at FQPL level last week with an impressive brace against the high flying SWQ Thunder and will be hoping to extend that run of form against Mitchelton this weekend.
Words: Jacob Wala
Image: Annette Andrews/SWQ Thunder