Words: Matt Dorman
Image: Albert Perez/Football Queensland

A rematch of last year’s Grand Final between Palm Beach SC and Olympic FC headlines Round 2 of the PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland season.

Redlands United FC v Moreton Bay United FC
Friday, 6 March / Cleveland Showgrounds / 7:00PM

Redlands United will look to carry the momentum of last week’s stoppage-time equaliser away to Brisbane Strikers into Friday night’s first home match against Moreton Bay United.

New signing Igor Sao Jose made an impact on debut, snatching a point for the Red Devils after they twice trailed at Perry Park.

The hosts will have to contend with an in-form opponent though after Jets opened their season with a confident 3-2 win over Olympic FC.

Adam Piddick's finals aspirants struck twice in two first-half minutes to see off Olympic and get their campaign off to the best possible start

Red Devils Player-Coach Graham Fyfe missed one penalty but scored another against Strikers and will again lead from the front, while prolific Jets front-man Royce Brownlie has already opened his account in defence of last year’s Golden Boot.

Brisbane City FC v Brisbane Strikers FC
Friday, 6 March / Corporate Travel Management Stadium / 8:00PM

All eyes will be on Brisbane City after the former Grand Finalists suffered a shock 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Sunshine Coast FC in their first outing of the season.

Glen Volker's side were dominated from start to finish at Sunshine Coast Stadium, conceding three goals in each half, but will embrace the comforts of home as they return to Corporate Travel Management Stadium.

Kevin A’herne-Evans and Brisbane Strikers will have designs on extending City's misery with similar aspirations for three points.

Strikers will be just as desperate to taste victory after having it snatched away in stoppage-time last Saturday night and will be keen to inflict more damage on their wounded local rivals.

South West Queensland Thunder FC v Brisbane Roar FC Youth
Saturday, 7 March / Clive Berghofer Stadium / 5:00PM

Despite a 5-2 defeat, Toowoomba-based side SWQ Thunder made positive strides away to Western Pride in the first match of their second season last week.

Chris Hewson opened the scoring in Ipswich while Mitchell Tansky also made it on to the scoresheet before Thunder were ultimately overrun by their hosts.

Saturday evening’s visit of Brisbane Roar Youth suggests an even contest as two inexperienced outfits aim to gain an early foothold in the competition.

Young Roar will carry form into the encounter after concluding their Foxtel National Youth League commitments with a 2-1 win over Perth Glory last week, albeit narrowly missing out on the title to Melbourne City.

Palm Beach SC v Olympic FC
Saturday, 7 March / Mallawa Complex / 5:00PM

Fireworks will be expected on the Gold Coast when reigning champions Palm Beach SC again host Olympic FC in a rematch of last year’s dramatic Grand Final.

Saturday’s clash will be just as heated as that encounter – where Sharks completed the double with a 3-2 win in normal time – as both teams search for their first points of the season.

While the hosts have had an extra week to prepare after the start to their title defence was delayed last round due to Young Roar’s absence, defensive errors brought Olympic unstuck away to Jets.

Jim Bellas' side twice fought to within a goal at Wolter Park but will need to improve to gain revenge on Grae Piddick's Sharks.

Western Pride FC v Northern Fury FC
Saturday, 7 March / Briggs Road Complex / 7:00PM

Two of the opening round’s biggest winners will do battle in Round 2’s live-streamed match as Northern Fury again hit the road following last weekend’s hard-fought 3-2 victory away to FNQ Heat.

Fury fought back from conceding first to blitz past their rivals in a frantic 10-minute period thanks Joe Thornton's penalty and a Michael Eisenhut double on return.

That confidence-boosting result was their first ever win over Heat and Ian Ferguson’s men will need a similarly inspired performance to overcome an improved Western Pride.

Karl Dodd’s Pride likewise have the chance to make it two in two after responding well to going behind early against SWQ Thunder, running rampant with five goals as they attempt to build towards a first finals appearance.

Sunshine Coast FC v FNQ FC Heat
Sunday, 8 March / Sunshine Coast Stadium / 2.15PM

Six goals scored, zero conceded and three early points in the bag marked a dream first match in charge of Sunshine Coast for Player-Coach Paul Arnison.

Having taken many by surprise with their complete performance - which included braces from Brady Cronk and Jacob Fulluck - Fire will again enjoy a home ground advantage when Cairns club FNQ Heat arrive on Sunday afternoon.

Points will be at the forefront of the agenda for the visitors after surrendering the lead to lose 3-2 at home to Northern Fury last time out, despite goals from key pair Mqondisi Nkiwane and Alex Smith.