The National Premier Leagues action continues right across the Sunshine State this weekend.

Stay up to date with the Round 5 preview.

Palm Beach Sharks FC (9th) v Sunshine Coast FC Fire (3rd)
Saturday, 13th April 2013 – Mallawa Sports Complex, 5:30pm

A blockbuster Saturday evening of NPL action kicks off when the Gold Coast plays host to the opening instalment of the Coast Derby between Palm Beach and Sunshine Coast.

Sunshine Coast’s watertight defence held firm once again last week for Fire keeper Sam Nickolls’ second consecutive clean sheet. However, the 1-0 result against QAS did little to ease coach Kevin Aherne-Evans ongoing concerns regarding his team’s poor finishing.

Converting chances will be paramount against a Sharks side that has blown hot and cold so far this season and finds itself in the bottom third of the table despite some impressive performances.

Last round Palm Beach held their own for much of the first half against league leaders Olympic FC –taking a one-nil lead just after the half hour – before fading out of the contest in the second stanza.

However, Sharks will be expected to set the tempo this week, and coach Oscar Langone admits he wants to see a full ninety minute performance from his charges who are yet to win at home this season.

Western Pride FC (8th) v Redlands United FC (2nd)
Saturday, 13th April 2013 – North Ipswich Reserve, 6:00pm

Western Pride return to their Ipswich home this weekend eager to arrest an alarming form slide that has followed an otherwise promising start to the season.

Pride have failed to score in their past two outings, but head coach Kasey Wehrman remains more concerned that his side have conceded seven goals in the same period.

Injuries have meant Pride’s backline has been unsettled all season, but Wehrman is still demanding increased intensity this weekend at the back in an attempt to return to winning ways.

Form is not a concern for Redlands who, following an opening round defeat at the hands of Strikers, have now won three on the trot to move into second place on the NPL ladder.

With early season injuries mostly healed, Matt Chandler’s squad has found balance between attack and defence – last week’s result on a wet pitch against a tenacious Moreton Bay in the Bayside Derby indicative of the adaptability of the Devil’s game plan.

Unlike Pride, the Devils have no problem netting goals of late, the scoring shared between the front three of Jason Macuace, Ramone Close and Ruben Way with midfield duo George Barbarouses and Graham Fyfe chiming in regularly as well.

CQFC Energy (12th) v Brisbane Strikers FC (5th)
Saturday, 13th April 2013 – Rugby Park, 7:00pm

Rugby Park makes its long awaited debut as an NPL venue this Saturday night after CQFC’s first two home games were shifted to Jardine Park to allow their home ground surface to be relaid.

The homecoming will be welcomed by Joe Fenech’s hapless youngsters, whose campaign requires a shot in the arm after a disappointing start that sees CQFC rooted to the foot of the table following four consecutive defeats – and shipping more than thirty goals in the process.

The mid-table Strikers have defensive concerns of their own despite winning three of their opening four fixtures, with head coach David Large concerned his side is yet to record a clean sheet this season.

Large has put his team on notice that the defensive leaks must be stopped, and has drafted young defender David Roby into the travelling squad from the under-18’s to expand his backline options.

One player Strikers will need to shut down is Scotsman Chris Geddes, the Energy number 9 remains his side’s leading goal-scorer this season having netted all four of his team’s goals thus far.

FNQ FC Heat (10th) v Olympic FC (1st)
Saturday, 13th April 2013 – Barlow Park, 7:30pm

League-leaders Olympic will cross the Tropic of Capricorn for the first time this season when they travel to the far north of the state to face the Heat in Cairns.

Olympic remain the only undefeated team in the league following four free-scoring performances in the south-east; however the longest away trip of the season will offer a different challenge for Jim Bellas’ squad.

Following last week’s 5-1 defeat at the hands of Strikers, Heat head coach Martin Docherty needs no reminder his side need to tighten their defence against Olympic’s attacking threats of Tim Smits, Danny Byrne and Jai Ingham – a cause that won’t be assisted by the absence of left fullback Cameron Watson.

Injury concerns also see FNQ FC striker Jamie Carroll in doubt for the clash, meaning Heat will again rely on the Murphy brothers, Tom and Matt, to provide the sparkle in attack.

Moreton Bay United Jets FC (2nd) v Brisbane City FC (6th)
Saturday, 13th April 2013 – Wolter Park, 7:30pm

Moreton Bay United dropped their first points of the season last week in a bruising encounter against Redlands in the Bayside Derby and fell to fourth on the ladder on goal difference.

However, Jets coach Terry Kirkham believes his side were unfortunate not to snatch a point at Cleveland after striker Tim Lawson twice struck the crossbar.

Kirkham is also buoyed by news he will be able to field a full strength squad for the first time this season, with Lenny Redrose returning to the match day squad.

Following a sluggish start to the season, Brisbane City are climbing the ladder with gusto after slotting 15 goals past FNQ FC and CQFC in the past two rounds.

The hard-tackling and compact Jets will provide an acid test for City’s goal-happy front line of Antonio Murray, Eric Frazier and Matt Biggins; while keeper Matt Stein will also be tested by experienced Jets striker Royce Brownlie after an indifferent start to the campaign for the City gloveman.

Northern Fury FC (7th) v Queensland Academy of Sport (11th)
Sunday, 14th April 2013 – Townsville Sports Reserve, 3:00pm

Following a three game away stretch to start the season, a young Northern Fury side found their feet at home with a commanding performance against Western Pride before a parochial Townsville crowd last week.

Fury will seek to maintain their perfect home record in the round’s only Sunday fixture against a rapidly improving Academy outfit, with Mick Eisenhut likely to earn another start following an impressive debut in the 3-0 defeat of Pride.

Bolstered by the support of the city and surrounding region, Fury coach Gareth Edds said spirits were high inside the squad and that his side’s development was benefitting from back to back home games.

The Academy continues to improve week-on-week, however head coach Josh McCloughan admits that learning how to win is an important part of the development of state’s elite young footballers.

To that end, McCloughan will welcome back forwards Abraham Yango and Elliott Ronto from suspension to provide added impetus in the front third. QAS will also add returning Brisbane Roar youth player Sam Cronin into the match day squad.

 

Words: Michael Flynn (Football Queensland)