Seven clubs close out their first NPL Queensland home and away campaigns as NPL action continues right across the state this weekend.

For the top teams the finals loom large, while for those outside the top four finishers the planning is well under way for next year.

Stay up to date with all the exciting Round 22 fixtures in the weekly preview.

Brisbane City (2^nd) v Redlands United (4^th)
Saturday, 17^th August 2013 – Spencer Park, 6:00pm

Redlands United seek to strengthen their hold on fourth position on the NPL Queensland table when they travel to Spencer Park for a must-win clash against Brisbane City this Saturday night.

The baysiders returned to the finals placings on goal difference during the week following a comprehensive 7-1 over Palm Beach Sharks; however, a further three points will be crucial as the Devils seek to hold out Brisbane Strikers, who hold two games in hand in the race for fourth spot.

For City, a win will sure up their chances of a second-placed finish and a home semi-final. It also offers a chance to sharpen up against one of the league’s most prolific attacks ahead of the knockout phase – Redlands now boasting a second-best 72 goals for this campaign.

Redlands also hold form at Spencer Park this season, defeating FNQ FC 2-0 at the same venue in the opening game of the second round double-header.

City and Redlands played out an entertaining 3-3 draw at Cleveland Showgrounds when they last met in late May – the lead changing three times in a see-sawing and attacking contest.

CQFC Energy (11^th) v Palm Beach Sharks (9^th)
Saturday, August 17^th 2013 – Rugby Park, 7:00pm

CQFC Energy hope to close out their first season with a third straight win when they host Gold Coast’s Palm Beach Sharks at Rugby Park on Saturday evening.

Following a rollercoaster year, Energy finally found form in the final rounds of the campaign – stringing together back-to-back wins for the first time in the club’s brief history by defeating Western Pride and Queensland Academy of Sport.

Head coach Ray Wood, who joined Energy mid-season, has effected a remarkable turnaround, but with questions surrounding the club’s future, a win will silence the doubters and lay the foundations for next year’s campaign.

Palm Beach are also seeking a reversal of fortune, with the visitors 7-1 midweek loss to Redlands United extending their current winless streak to six games.

Following a disappointing campaign, several of the Sharks squad will be looking for improved showings as they seek to secure positions in the squad for next season.

FNQ FC Heat (10^th) v Sunshine Coast Fire (3^rd)
Saturday, August 17^th 2013 – Stratford Football Club, 7:30pm

Sunshine Coast Fire are looking to secure a home semi-final when they travel to Cairns to close out the home and away season against FNQ FC Heat on Saturday night.

The momentum is firmly with last year’s QSL champions, who have knocked off four of their five finals rivals in recent  rounds – including an impressive 2-0 defeat of rivals Brisbane Strikers last weekend.

For Heat, the match is a chance to repay the Far North Queensland community following a stuttering first year in the competition – the Stratford FC ground becoming the fourth venue used by the Cairns-based club this season.

Form remains elusive for Heat, who have won only once in the second half of the season and hope to end their campaign with their first home win since a 4-1 triumph over Northern Fury in the opening round of the competition.

Moreton Bay Jets (6th) v Queensland Academy of Sport (12^th)
Saturday, Agust 17^th 2013 – Wolter Park, 7:30pm

Queensland Academy of Sport contest their final fixture of the NPL Queensland season this Saturday night when they travel to Wolter Park to face the mid-table Moreton Bay Jets.

The Academy have struggled in the league this year and were consigned to a wooden spoon finish last weekend in Rockhampton after falling 3-0 to fellow cellar-dwellars CQFC Energy.

For many in the Academy squad this will be their final hit-out before linking up with various A-League clubs for the upcoming National Youth League season.

For Jets, the match offers an opportunity to finish their debut season on a positive note. In finals contention for much of the season, Jets fell off the pace in recent rounds; however, a top half finish is still on the cards with two fixtures remaining.

Last week’s come from behind draw with Western Pride showed Moreton Bay still have unfinished business despite dropping out of the finals race.

The Academy backline must stay alert to the threat of Royce Brownlie at the top of Jets’ formation, as the club seeks to return their -7 goal difference to the black before season’s end.

Brisbane Strikers (5^th) v Northern Fury (7^th)
Sunday, 18^th August 2013 – Perry Park, 3:00pm

Brisbane Strikers hope to stay in the hunt for an NPL Queensland finals berth when they welcome Townsville’s Northern Fury to Perry Park on Sunday afternoon.

Strikers were bumped out of the top four on goal difference midweek after finals rivals Redlands United slotted seven goals past a lacklustre Palm Beach Sharks.

It continued a poor recent run of results for Strikers, who felt the absence of injured striker Josh McVey as they fell 2-0 away to Sunshine Coast Fire last round.

The task is no easier against a Fury side that has lost only twice since last meeting Strikers in late May – the mid-table side only losing to table toppers Olympic FC and Brisbane City in nearly three months of football.

Fury will be extra motivated as they seek a top half finish to their return season after losing 3-0 to Strikers in Townsville earlier in the year.

Olympic FC (1^st) v Western Pride (8^th)
Sunday, 18^th August 2013 – Goodwin Park, 5:00pm

Western Pride will seek to spoil Olympic FC’s premiership party on Sunday afternoon when they face the league leaders at Goodwin Park in their final away fixture of the year.

A celebratory atmosphere is assured at the Yeronga venue, with Olympic to receive their premiership trophy at the conclusion of the match; however, Pride will be looking to notch another big name scalp to their first season haul.

The Ipswich-based club has been on a giant slaying run in the second half of the year – recording wins over semi-finalists Brisbane City and Redlands United and a hard fought draw 2-2 draw with Moreton Bay Jets last round.

However, standing in their way is an Olympic outfit that has swept all before them this season.

The premiers will be looking to maintain their momentum as they near the inaugural NPL Queensland semi-finals and the National Premier League Finals Series starting in late September.

Last weekend’s 2-1 win over Redlands United was Olympic’s 19^th of the campaign, and the hosts will be hoping to toast their successful season by completing the double over Pride, who they defeated 1-0 at Eric Evans Reserve earlier in the year.

 

Words: Michael Flynn (Football Queensland)