The National Premier Leagues action continues right across the Sunshine State this weekend and we've got it covered in our weekly round preview.

SATURDAY, 16 MARCH

Redlands United FC v FNQ FC Heat- 5:00PM @ Spencer Park
What to expect: A tactical yet entertaining 90-minute arm-wrestle.

FNQ FC Heat rallied from a goal down last weekend before overrunning a ten man Northern Fury 4-1 in the inaugural North Queensland derby.

The result and performance were all the more impressive considering the team’s preparations were unexpectedly disrupted by the absence of head coach Martin Docherty, who was called away for family reasons during the week.

Interim coach and heatTechnical Director Chris Collins acknowledged after the win that Docherty’s pre-season preparations had stood the club in good stead despite the unfortunate circumstances.

Yet another challenge awaits the club this weekend when they make the first of several visits to the south-east corner of the state – facing Redlands United in the first of two feature fixtures at Brisbane City’s Spencer Park home ground.

The injury-depleted Devils came close to snatching a last-gasp draw against Strikers on Sunday, but head coach Matt Chandler opined post-match that a share of the points would have been ill-deserved.

With key members of the squad yet to return from injury, Redlands once again faces an uncomfortable early season test of their depth. Although proven attacking threat George Barbarouses is expected to see more game time as he continues his return to full fitness.

Palm Beach Sharks FC v Western Pride FC – 5:30PM @ Mallawa Complex
What to expect: Plenty of goals and plenty of support for both sides

National Premier Leagues action takes to the Gold Coast for the first time this season as Palm Beach host Ipswich’s Western Pride in an afternoon of fixtures that also feature both clubs’ under-18 and under-20 teams.

Sharks showed spirit to claw back two goals last week after finding themselves behind 3-0 to Moreton Bay and will look to demonstrate more defensive steel in their home NPL debut before what promises to be a bumper crowd of juniors and local supporters.

The club is hoping centre forward Matt Hilton continues his return from injury after making an immediate impact in a twenty minute cameo in the opening round.

Western Pride played in the only drawn fixture of the opening weekend, the club cruelly denied its first competitive victory when they conceded in the dying minutes against QAS.

Like Sharks, they will seek to stem the flow of goals at the back while maintaining coach Kasey Wehrman’s attack-minded philosophy. The coach confirming he will field a relatively unchanged side for the fixture.

Pride were overwhelmed by the support of the Ipswich community in the opening round and are confident supporters, and many of the club’s youth team players, will provide much-needed support from the stands in the club’s first competitive away fixture.

CQFC Energy v Northern Fury FC – 7:00PM @ Jardine Park
What to expect: A cagey opening followed by an unpredictable and see-sawing second half.

CQFC Energy’s pre-season was hampered by incessant rain in the Rockhampton region that resulted in the club’s debut senior league fixture being relocated to Jardine Park.

With works still underway to restore the Rugby Park pitch, Energy return to their temporary home with hopes of expelling any lingering demons from their 7-0 opening loss to Sunshine Coast FC.

Energy were the only team not to score a goal on the opening weekend and will be seeking to square the ledger against a Fury side that shipped four of their own on opening day.

Both sides are eager to secure their first points of the season, but equally wary of opening their campaigns with back-to-back losses, providing a fascinating tactical quandary for the coaches.

Gareth Edds has yet to settle on his first choice keeper for the season and circumstance provides the Fury player/coach an opportunity to assess Bradley Burrows between the sticks after Dylan Hudson’s dismissal against Heat – trivia buffs noting the goalkeeper’s red card was the first in the NPL.

Brisbane City FC v Brisbane Strikers FC – 7:30PM @ Spencer Park
What to expect: A free-flowing but hard fought "battle of Brisbane".

Two of Brisbane’s fabled National Soccer League clubs face each other in league competition for the first time in six years in Saturday night’s feature match at Spencer Park.

It’s the second consecutive home game for City, who will be looking to make amends for their unflattering 6-2 opening night loss to Olympic after fighting valiantly to level terms at 2-2 after 60 minutes.

City head coach Glen Volker suggested his side would be better for the experience and, although still early in the season, the match represents a chance for City to press their claim as the NPL’s premier Brisbane-based club against the in-form Strikers.

Fresh from their success in preseason competition, Strikers held off a determined Redlands fightback on Sunday to commence their campaign with a 2-1 home win.

In an ominous sign for opposing defences, Strikers head coach David Large insists his side is merely warming up and that there is still room to improve, with star striker Matt Thurtell looking to open his NPL account after firing in 36 goals last campaign.

City will be buoyed by another bumper home crowd although Strikers supporters have indicated they will travel in numbers to re-ignite the passionate rivalry between the capital city clubs.

SUNDAY, 17 MARCH

Sunshine Coast FC Fire v Moreton Bay United Jets FC - 2:00PM @ Sunshine Coast Stadium
What to expect: An intriguing first chapter in what promises to become one of NPL’s feature derbies.

Sunday’s early kick-off is the first instalment of what promises to be a healthy local rivalry between Sunshine Coast FC and Moreton Bay Jets at Fire’s Kawana Waters home.

Both clubs started their seasons with wins and no inch will be given as they battle for early season bragging rights, with Sunshine Coast FC head coach confident his squad’s local contingent will lift to meet the challenge of their near-neighbours.

Aherne-Evans was understandably delighted with his side’s comprehensive opening round win in Rockhampton, yet remains wary of the threat posed by Jet’s early season goal-scoring leader Royce Brownlie.

The ex-Roar marksman netted the first hat-trick of the NPL season against Palm Beach, and will once again look to combine with fellow ex-A-Leaguer Karl Dodd for the visitors.

Jets head coach Terry Kirkham expects a tough challenge from the Fire, who strengthened their claim as NPL title favourites following a 7-0 thrashing of competition newboys CQFC Energy last weekend.

While also a new club, Jets have blended youth and experience within their playing and coaching teams, and Kirkham remains confident his side will do the club proud on the weekend; insisting his squad are eager to establish themselves as the benchmark team immediately north of Brisbane.

Olympic FC v Queensland Academy of Sport - 6:00PM @ Goodwin Park
What to expect: A tough test for QAS, but Olympic will be wary of complacency.

Olympic FC played in the opening match of last round and this week close out the weekend’s fixtures with a twilight match against Queensland Academy of Sport at their Yeronga home ground.

Although the 6-2 scoreline on opening night wasn’t reflective of the contest against City, it remains a clear indication of the firepower Olympic possess in their line-up.

Captain Danny Byrne netted a brace that night and returns to lead his team onto their home pitch for the first time this season. He will be joined in attack by ex-Roar striker Tim Smits, who in addition to netting a goal of his own against City, also set-up two others for his team mates.

QAS demonstrated composure beyond their years to salvage a draw against Western Pride in their first fixture, scoring in the final minutes to claim a share of the points.

QAS coach Josh McCloughan is renowned for his ability to get the best out of his young charges and will require all his motivational nous to match an Olympic squad that is buzzing with enthusiasm both on and off the pitch.

McCloughan remains confident his side will challenge Olympic for the full 90 minutes on the weekend. He also welcomed members of the Brisbane Roar youth squad back to the QAS training fold this week, but will resist the temptation to field them before next weekend.

 

NATIONAL PREMIER LEAGUES COMPETITION TABLE

Pos	Club	P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	Pts
1	Sunshine Coast FC Fire	1	1	0	0	7	0	+7	3
2	Olympic FC	1	1	0	0	6	2	+4	3
3	FNQ FC Heat	1	1	0	0	4	1	+3	3
4	Moreton Bay United Jets FC	1	1	0	0	3	2	+1	3
5	Brisbane Strikers FC	1	1	0	0	2	1	+1	3
6	Western Pride FC	1	0	1	0	2	2	0	1
7	Queensland Academy of Sport	1	0	1	0	2	2	0	1
8	Palm Beach Sharks FC	1	0	0	1	2	3	-1	0
9	Redlands United FC	1	0	0	1	1	2	-1	0
10	Northern Fury FC	1	0	0	1	1	4	-3	0
11	Brisbane City FC	1	0	0	1	2	6	-4	0
12	CQFC Energy	1	0	0	1	0	7	-7	0

 

Words: Michael Flynn (Football Queensland)