Words: Matt Dorman
Image: Tony Gwynn-Jones/Brisbane Strikers FC

Top-four foes Brisbane Strikers and Sunshine Coast renew their rivalry in Round 11 while Palm Beach SC host FNQ Heat in the live stream match.

Redlands United FC v Brisbane Roar FC Youth
Friday, 22 May / Cleveland Showgrounds / 7:00PM

Two wins in two and the season ahead is looking far rosier for Redlands United.

Having dispatched Brisbane City, the Red Devils notched a memorable win away to FNQ Heat last weekend to move within touch of mid-table ahead of Brisbane Roar Youth’s visit on Friday night.

Young Roar showed few signs of rust in their first competitive match in almost a month by last week brushing aside Sunshine Coast.

John Sime’s side have up to three matches in hand on the six teams above them and winning even two would see them break into the top four.

Palm Beach SC v FNQ FC Heat
Saturday, 23 May / Mallawa Complex / 3:00PM

Two teams struggling to secure regular results clash on the Gold Coast on Saturday afternoon.

Palm Beach SC’s 4-1 defeat away to Moreton Bay United – where they led 1-0 until the 60th minute - was the reigning champions’ fourth loss in eight, eclipsing the entire amount they suffered last season.

Sharks continue to misfire without departed striker Chris Lucas having only twice netted more than a single goal, a record they will want to improve upon against FNQ Heat.

Heat have had no such trouble in front of goal, but keeping them out is proving a hindrance to avoiding defeat.

South West Queensland Thunder FC v Brisbane City FC
Saturday, 23 May / Commonwealth Oval / 5:00PM

Brisbane City broke their season duck in Round 10 by overcoming an early deficit to beat Western Pride, leaving SWQ Thunder isolated in last place.

The two bottom teams meet on Saturday evening with City intent on casting Thunder further adrift at the foot of the table.

After recently recording just their second win as a club in the Westfield FFA Cup, Chris Wilkes’ side were dealt a 6-0 reality check against Brisbane Strikers last time out.

Still, Thunder will hardly have a better opportunity to notch an inaugural victory in what is a first home match since 25 April.

Brisbane Strikers FC v Sunshine Coast FC
Saturday, 23 May / Perry Park / 6:00PM

This pair have developed a fierce rivalry in recent years and Saturday’s fixture finds them both in good health, despite Sunshine Coast losing out to Young Roar last round.

Fire remain in the finals places regardless of that result with a second straight trip to Perry Park shaping as a genuine examination of their credentials.

The visitors’ two matches against fellow top-four teams have both ended in defeat this term, alerting Strikers to a potential vulnerability.

Kevin A’Herne-Evans will be determined to keep pace with Moreton Bay by toppling the side he departed at the end of 2014.

Western Pride FC v Olympic FC
Saturday, 23 May / Briggs Road Complex / 7:00PM

Western Pride’s form has taken downward turn in recent weeks after claiming four wins from the opening six rounds.

They are now without victory in their past three and have suffered consecutive defeats leading into the arrival of Olympic FC.

Pride boss Karl Dodd was an interested observer at his opposition’s eventful 3-0 win over Northern Fury and will hope his young side can instil the lessons learned.

For Olympic, victory proved just the remedy to their own two-match losing run and another in Ipswich will entrench Jim Bellas’ side in the top four with two home fixtures to follow.

Northern Fury FC v Moreton Bay United FC
Saturday, 23 May / Brolga Park / 7:00PM

From mid-table hopefuls to league-leading juggernaut, Moreton Bay United’s come-from-behind demolition of reigning champions Palm Beach SC truly cemented their status as title favourites.

The hosts piled on four goals in 30 minutes to blow apart one of the league’s best defences and set alight hopes of a hefty improvement on respective sixth and fifth finishes.

Jets’ next assignment is a trip away to the unpredictable Northern Fury, who have recorded two comfortable victories and a heavy defeat in their three home matches.

Fury’s chances hinge on greater defensive discipline after conceding three penalties against Olympic.