Words: Staff Writers
Image: Chris Simpson

A re-match of Round 1 fixtures presents a chance for each club to measure their progression as the second half of the season arrives in Queensland.

Redlands United FC v Gold Coast City FC
Friday, 27 May | 7:30PM
Cleveland Showgrounds, Redland City

An all top four clash kicks-off Round 12 as Redlands United seek to put space between them and fourth-placed visitors Gold Coast City.

The Red Devils return to home-and-away action for the first time in a fortnight after atoning for their 2-1 defeat to Brisbane City by beating the same team in Westfield FFA Cup qualifying.

Despite their enviable ladder position – Redlands can close to within a point of top spot with victory – the hosts’ last-start league defeat means they have suffered two defeats from four matches at Cleveland Showgrounds.

Gold Coast City will hope to prey on any insecurity and extend their impressive 10-match unbeaten run.

Boasting the fewest defeats in the competition, Grae Piddick’s side can climb to second with a reverse of the 2-1 defeat they suffered against Redlands on the opening weekend. .

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Match Officials – Nathan MacDonald (referee), Zijad Ahmetovic (assistant), Mohammad Alipour (assistant), Daniel Olson (fourth)

FNQ FC Heat v Olympic FC
Saturday, 28 May | 4:30PM
Endeavour Park, Cairns

First-placed FNQ Heat are aiming to avoid a second straight slip-up when second-bottom Olympic FC visit Cairns on Saturday afternoon.

The league leaders suffered a 2-0 setback away to SWQ Thunder last time out but will relish a return home to meet the team they beat 3-1 back in February.

However, new Olympic boss Terry Kirkham has steadied the Brisbane side and was only denied a second straight win by Western Pride’s late equaliser last weekend.

Seven points from their last four matches suggests the fallen former champions are preparing for a surge up the ladder – is their improving form enough to topple top spot?

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Match Officials – Michael Bozhoff (referee), Chris Dawson (assistant), Chris Doherty-Fisher (assistant), Wayne Kuypers (fourth)

Brisbane Strikers FC v Brisbane Roar FC Youth
Saturday, 28 May | 6:00PM
Perry Park, Brisbane

Brisbane Strikers return to Perry Park on Saturday night with a commanding recent home record of three straight wins, 10 goals scored and zero conceded.

The Bowen Hills venue won’t hold any fears for Young Roar, though, after they held Saturday’s opponents to a 1-1 draw on the opening day of the season – even leading that match for four minutes through Nicholas D’Agostino.

Strikers and Young Roar both enter the match on the back of draws and must shake off patchy form to keep pace with top spot and the top six respectively.

Three-time Hyundai A-League Grand Final referee Jarred Gillett will be the man in the middle for what could be a heated affair.

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Match Officials – Jarred Gillett (referee), Trent Sleeman (assistant), Ben Orwell (assistant), Jacqui Hurford (fourth)

Moreton Bay United FC v Brisbane City FC
Saturday, 28 May | 6:00PM
Wolter Park, Brisbane

The weekend’s other clash of two capital clubs finds Moreton Bay United aiming to build on their first win in four matches against an improving Brisbane City.

Though their Westfield FFA Cup run fell short, City have impressed over the past five rounds in racking up three victories and a pair of draws against Gold Coast City and Brisbane Strikers respectively.

Goalkeeper Tim Allen starred in last weekend’s 0-0 draw with Strikers and could be in for another busy night after Moreton Bay found scoring form in putting three past Northern Fury.

Currently seven points shy of first, Jets must get moving if the Premiership trophy is to remain at Wolter Park.

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Match Officials – Adam Kersey (referee), James Sherry (assistant), John Vasiliadis (assistant), Dylan Lambert (fourth)

Northern Fury FC v SWQ Thunder FC
Saturday, 28 May | 7:00PM
Townsville Sports Reserve, Townsville

Is this the chance for Northern Fury to get off the mark?

It will be far from easy against a side which is coming off a 2-0 win over the league-leaders, but SWQ Thunder have conceded 15 goals in four away matches this season and are yet to leave the South-East corner.

Fury, comfortably the league’s leakiest defensive outfit, have their own problems at the back to solve if a first point – or three – is to be achieved.

Hotshot Thunder striker Mustafa Jafari will be on hand to punish any lapses from a side which has conceded fewer than three goals on only one occasion.

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Match Officials – Rachel Mitchenson (referee), Graham Buzzi (assistant), Liam O’Connor (assistant), David Wiebe (fourth)

Sunshine Coast FC v Western Pride FC
Sunday, 29 May | 4:00PM
Kawana Sports Precinct, Sunshine Coast

The proximity of two teams separated by just a single point is likely to be reflected on the pitch when Sunshine Coast host Western Pride in the final match of the round.

Two consecutive defeats have halted Fire’s ascension, although the prospect of back-to-back home outings could reignite their spark – particularly as visiting sides have managed only five goals in as many games.

Western Pride possess the ability to pile on the goals and will be buoyed by their snatching of a second late equaliser in the space of three rounds.

Despite that boost – and an admirable performance in the recent friendly against New Zealand – its three points that the Ipswich side really requires, having tasted victory once in six matches.

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Match Officials – Alex King (referee), Ben Cook (assistant), Phillip Townsend (assistant), Zac Keenan (fourth)