Words: Matt Dorman

Brisbane’s Perry Park hosts an in-house derby in the standout stoush of PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland Round 4.

Redlands United FC v Northern Fury FC
Saturday, 21 March / Cleveland Showgrounds / 3:00PM

Saturday afternoon’s round opener promises to be a keen fight for points as hosts Redlands United are yet to win this season while Northern Fury have dropped their past two.

After returning midfielder Michael Eisenhut inspired Fury’s first-up away win over FNQ Heat, the Townsville team enter Round 4 after back-to-back defeats despite their best efforts away to Palm Beach SC last weekend.

The Red Devils haven’t tasted victory in their first three fixtures but, with two draws in that time including a spirited 1-1 result away to Olympic FC in their last outing, believe a platform is set.

South West Queensland Thunder FC v Moreton Bay United FC
Saturday, 21 March / Clive Berghofer Stadium / 5:00PM

SWQ Thunder face the toughest test in Queensland on Saturday evening when Moreton Bay United make the trip south to Toowoomba.

Jets are flying at the top of the ladder after demolishing Sunshine Coast 7-0 – adding to victories over Olympic FC and Redlands United – while new signings Daniel Clark and Jackson Hall have handsomely rewarded the faith of rookie coach Adam Piddick.

Thunder will be fresh for the contest having had last round’s trip to Cairns postponed due to the cyclone and will hope to harness the positives of the previous week’s 2-2 draw with Young Roar.

Brisbane City FC v FNQ FC Heat
Saturday, 21 March / Corporate Travel Management Stadium / 6:00PM

Brisbane City are in unfamiliar territory at the foot of the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland ladder and will be desperate to leapfrog FNQ Heat in the state capital on Saturday night.

The former Grand Finalists claimed their first point of the season last weekend after midfielder Matt Biggins opened the scoring against Young Roar and City will again look to their leader to inspire three much-needed points.

Heat have their own point to prove, however, as the Round 3 postponement prolonged a frustrating start to their bid to improve on reaching the Semi Final stage in 2014.

Brisbane Strikers FC v Brisbane Roar FC Youth
Saturday, 21 March / Perry Park / 6:00PM

Perry Park hosts an in-house derby on Saturday night when Brisbane Strikers and Brisbane Roar Youth battle for Perry Park prominence.

Strikers have enjoyed an unbeaten start to sit second with two wins and a draw, including last weekend’s thrilling late comeback win over Western Pride.

Saturday’s match marks a run of three straight fixtures at Perry Park for Young Roar as they look to improve on two straight draws.

Nicholas D’Agostino was the star of their draw with City and, with Patrick Theodore and Mitch Hore also on target this term, will be hopeful of upsetting their in-form opponents.

Western Pride FC v Palm Beach SC
Saturday, 21 March / Briggs Road Complex / 7:00PM

An intriguing encounter awaits in Ipswich when premiers Palm Beach SC visit Karl Dodd’s vastly-improved Western Pride.

Former Hyundai A-League defender Dodd has recruited successfully for his first campaign in charge to net two wins and only have a third snatched away late by Strikers.

The reigning double-winners secured their first victory in Round 3 and will be aiming to assert authority over a potential challenger away from home.

Sharks skipper Justyn McKay struck his second of the season in that win, this time from the spot, as Grae Piddick’s side held off the fast-finishing Fury.

Sunshine Coast FC v Olympic FC
Sunday, 22 March / Kawana Soccer Club / 3:00pm

Three points will be the sole objective when Sunshine Coast and Olympic FC meet on Sunday afternoon.

Fire’s perfect opening-round win over City seems a distant memory after being brought back to earth in a 7-0 defeat to by Jets last weekend.

The hosts welcome an opponent equally keen to take three points in an Olympic side forced to settle for a second straight draw in their home clash with Redlands United.

Michael Lee made it 1-0 in that match but defence will be just as key for the two-time Grand Finalists, who will target a first clean sheet.