PS4 NPL QLD Round 15 Preview
Words: Matt Dorman
Image: Ray Gardner/Redlands United
Two top-four teams are looking to reassert their status while the time is arriving for mid-table moves to be made in Round 15.
FNQ FC Heat v Brisbane City FC
Saturday, 27 June / Borzi Park / 6:00PM
Heat have turned the corner since a mid-season slump of one win in seven, rediscovering their form across the past fortnight.
Consecutive wins against Sunshine Coast and SWQ Thunder shot the Cairns club from 10th to seventh and a third on the trot will make finals a realistic goal.
City are a much improved side since being beaten 6-3 at home by Heat back in March but will have to be at their best to come away from Mareeba with points.
Their first trip north this season resulted in a 3-1 defeat to Northern Fury, though much has changed since then.
Brisbane Roar FC Youth v Brisbane Strikers FC
Saturday, 27 June / Perry Park / 6:00PM
Unbeaten in six, Brisbane Roar Youth pose a major obstacle to Brisbane Strikers’ hopes of reeling in Moreton Bay United.
Strikers have closed the gap to be equal with Jets meaning a point would be enough to lead the competition at the conclusion of Saturday night, albeit having played two extra games by that stage.
To make the opportunity count they will need to overcome the league’s most in-form side with Young Roar netting an average of four goals per game over the last month.
Goalkeeper Fraser Chalmers this week switched to Strikers and is in line to debut.
Northern Fury FC v Redlands United FC
Saturday, 27 June / Brolga Park / 7:00PM
Redlands United’s seven-match winless start to the season seems a distant memory.
It would have been bold to suggest Graham Fyfe’s side could take seven points from an all top-four stretch of fixtures but that’s exactly what the Red Devils achieved when they blitzed Olympic FC with five second-half goals in Round 14.
Three of those matches were at home while the other was similarly in Brisbane, ensuring a trip to Townsville poses a fresh challenge.
Fury were beaten last time out by Palm Beach SC but can take confidence from a 3-1 win in this fixture in March.
Moreton Bay United FC v South West Queensland Thunder FC
Sunday, 28 June / Wolter Park / 2:00PM
They might have only lost once to date this season but, with one win in three, Moreton Bay United are sliding into striking distance of the chasing pack.
Sunday’s home match-up against the league’s bottom side presents the perfect opportunity for Adam Piddick’s men to return to the form which put them in an enviable position.
For Thunder, motivation shouldn’t be a problem as they attempt to exploit a potentially vulnerable league-leaders.
Opposing midfielders Tom Fanning and Jordan Farina both netted their second goals in as many matches in Round 14 and will command attention in this weekend’s live stream.
Olympic FC v Sunshine Coast FC
Sunday, 28 June / Goodwin Park / 4:00PM
Olympic FC’s form has been nothing short of erratic in recent weeks, ranging from electric in beating Moreton Bay to absent in a 5-2 smothering by Redlands United.
The third-placed team led 2-0 at the break in that last match and might have had more, ultimately paying a heavy price for not killing the contest.
They will hope for three calming points against a Sunshine Coast side which gained some confidence in a 1-1 draw with Jets.
Four defeats on the trot significantly harmed their finals chances but an upset away from home on Sunday would renew hope.
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