Top-of-the-table clashes headline massive week of QLD football
Football fans across Queensland are in for a treat with a host of top-of-the-table clashes and grand final rematches headlining a big weekend of action. Get all the latest news and results from across the state here.
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Football season is back with fields from the northern reaches of Cairns all the way to the Gold Coast packed full of junior and senior players. Here is Football Queensland’s look at the big matches, star junior and senior players, Teams of the Week and every result that matters from the grassroots level to NPL action.
Far North and Gulf
Rain, rain go away.
It was another saturated weekend in Cairns which led to all but two matches postponed in the FQPL Far North & Gulf men’s and women’s competitions.
Looking ahead to round three, reigning men’s champions Leichhardt FC will be keen to finally kick off their 2024 campaign after two washouts.
The Lions travel north to Pennell Field in Trinity Beach to face a Marlin Coast Rangers outfit who’ve made a host of off-season additions.
Former Edge Hill United player-coach Crios O’Hare leads the new look Rangers side into battle alongside a host of his former Tiger teammates as they come up against the dangerous Lions outfit.
In the women’s competition 2023 grand finalists Southside Comets will be keen to start their 2024 campaign with a strong performance against Mareeba United, who currently sit atop the women’s ladder after the two interrupted rounds.
Round 3 Fixtures
Women
Friday, 15 March
Mareeba United vs. Southside Comets, Lindsay Australia Stadium, 8.30pm
Redlynch Strikers vs. Stratford Dolphins, Calanna Park, 8.30pm
Sunday, 17 March
Edge Hill United vs. Innisfail United, Tiger Park, 3pm
Men
Saturday, 16 March
Mareeba United vs. Southside Comets, Lindsay Australia Stadium, 7pm
Marlin Coast Rangers vs. Leichhardt FC, Pennell Field, 7pm
Redlynch Strikers vs. Stratford Dolphins, Calanna Park, 7pm
Sunday, 17 March
Edge Hill United vs. Innisfail United, Tiger Park, 5pm
Round 2 Results
Women
Southside Comets vs. Innisfail United (postoned)
Mareeba United 1 def by Redlynch Strikers 4
Edge Hill Tigers vs. Leichhardt FC (postoned)
Men
Mareeba United 3 def Redlynch Strikers 1
Edge Hill United vs. Leichhardt FC (postoned)
Southside Comets vs. Innisfail United (postoned)
Marlin Coast Rangers vs. Stratford Dolphins (postoned)
Gold Coast
Gold Coast United make the trip north to take on Redcliffe powerhouse Peninsula Power this Saturday night in NPL Men’s action.
Fresh off the back off a resounding 3-0 victory over Brisbane City, United will be in a confident mood as they take on 8th placed Power.
Based on current season standings, United look to be favourites on paper, however Peninsula Power will be riding a wave of confidence after defeating last year’s treble winners Gold Coast Knights in what was a monumental upset last weekend.
Gold Coast’s front line will be key to their hopes, with forwards Chris Lucas and Nicholas Panetta both in top goalscoring form.
Former Surfers Paradise hero Teddy Watson will also be looking to make a statement in the match as he searches for his first goal in the yellow and blue.
This match is set to be a cracker
Peninsula Power vs. Gold Coast United, Saturday March 16, 5pm AJ Kelly Park
Peninsula Power vs. Gold Coast United, Saturday March 16, 5pm, AJ Kelly Park
NPL Women
We’ve got a thrilling 2023 grand final rematch ahead this weekend as Gold Coast United host Eastern Suburbs in the NPL Women’s competition.
Out to avenge their grand final loss, United enter the weekend looking to bounce back from a hard-fought loss to league leaders Brisbane City last round.
Still sitting in second place and just a single point off the summit, United know a win could see them finish match week 6 back atop of the ladder.
Eastern Suburbs have started the season with mixed results, winning just two of their first five games.
A team with quality from top to bottom, Easts know they should be higher than their current position in fifth and will have United in their sights to kick start their season.
Gold Coast United vs. Eastern Suburbs FC, Sunday March 17, 4pm, Coplick Family Sports Park
Coach education
It’s been a fantastic few weeks of coach education on the Coast, with more than 100 coaches taking part in coaching education courses.
Coaches have been developing their understanding of delivering fun activities to improve session outcomes.
A big thank you to all the coaches who have joined us so far, as well as the clubs for supporting these education opportunities.
There are still courses available, with coaching courses on offer for MiniRoos, Foundation of Football and C Diploma courses across a variety of locations on the coast.
Whitsunday Coast
Wet weather caused havoc during round 2 of the FQPL Whitsunday Coast, resulting in only one match being played over the weekend. Magpies FC hosted City Brothers at home, where Magpies secured a convincing 4 – 2 victory.
Round 1 results
Women: All matches postponed.
Men
Magpies FC 4 – 2 City Brothers FC
Remaining matches postponed.
Round 3
Round three of the FQPL Whitsunday Coast promises to be intriguing.
In the women’s match on Friday night, Magpies FC will host City Brothers FC at home.
The Magpies are yet to kick off their 2024 campaign, while Brothers showed strength against Mackay Rangers and aim to continue their winning start to the season.
In the men’s division, it is a grand final rematch as Magpies FC hosts the 2023 champions, Whitsunday United.
Magpies will be out for revenge after last year’s grand final loss.
Women’s fixtures
Friday March 15
Country United v Mackay Lions, Tiger Park, 8pm
Magpies FC v City Brothers FC, Magpies FC, 8pm
Saturday March 16
Mackay Wanderers v Whitsunday United, Wanderers Park, 6pm
Men’s fixtures
Saturday March 16
Magpies FC v Whitsunday United, Magpies FC, 7pm
Mackay Rangers FC v Mackay Wanderers, Rangers FC, 7pm
Magpies Lions v City Brothers, Magpies FC, 7pm
Sunshine Coast
Round four of the FQPL Sunshine Coast is here, and boy are there some mouth-watering clashes lined up.
In the men’s competition Buderim Wanderers host Nambour Yandina United at Ballinger Park in a top three clash that shapes as crucial early season clash for both sides.
Buderim and Nambour Yandina finished last season in sixth and seventh places respectively, with six points and nine goals separating the two sides.
Fast forward six months and they now sit first and third after the first three rounds.
Buderim have recorded wins against Coolum and Gympie United and Nambour Yandina upset Caloundra in the opening round before edging out Maroochydore last week to sit unbeaten after two matches.
This shapes as a crucial game for both clubs and will give us a good indication of league form line as we move past the first month of the season.
Our women’s match of the round is between two clubs that have shared plenty of the spotlight in recent times, with Noosa Lions hosting Beerwah Glasshouse at Noosa Lions FC.
Noosa knocked Beerwah out of finals last season after the BeeGees had clinched a famous premiership title on the final matchday of the season.
Beerwah have regrouped and look impressive again, recording a comfortable opening round victory against Kawana before losing narrowly to rivals Maroochydore in round two.
Noosa have had an entertaining start to their 2024 campaign, defeating Gympie by a goal in a 9-goal thriller in round one before following up with another goal victory over Woombye Snakes.
They enjoyed their most comfortable performance last Friday when they defeated Nambour Yandina at home 2-0.
Fixtures
Women
Friday March 15
Noosa Lions vs. Beerwah Glasshouse, Noosa Lions FC, 8.30pm
Maroochydore FC vs. Gympie United| Maroochydore FC, 8.30pm
Woombye Snakes vs. Nambour Yandina, Woombye Snakes FC, 8.30pm
Men
Saturday March 16
Buderim Wanderers vs. Nambour Yandina, Ballinger Park, 5pm
Baringa FC vs. Kawana FC, Baringa Sports Complex, 5pm
Gympie United vs. Noosa Lions, One Mile Oval, 6pm
Woombye Snakes vs. Coolum FC, Woombye Snakes FC, 6pm
Sunday March 17
Maroochydore FC vs. Beerwah Glasshouse, Maroochydore FC, 5pm
Round 3 results
Women
Maroochydore FC 3 def Kawana FC 1
Gympie United 2 def by Woombye Snakes 5
Noosa Lions 2 def Nambour Yandina 0
Men
Kawana FC 1 drew with Beerwah Glasshouse 1
Caloundra FC 5 def Baringa FC 2
Buderim Wanderers 2 def Gympie United 1
Woombye Snakes vs. Noosa Lions (postponed)
Maroochydore 2 def by Nambour Yandina 3
Darling Downs
First host third in an epic FQPL Darling Downs Men’s match this Sunday afternoon as St Albans host West Wanderers FC.
Sitting atop of the ladder, St Albans will be relishing the chance to potentially open an early lead on the chasing pack.
4-2 victory against Warwick last weekend was St Albans first victory of the season, with forward Abbas Alhamad netting a brace.
In their way stands West Wanderers, who will be keen to return to winners circlet after their round 2 loss at the hands of Rockville Rovers.
Wanderers had got off to a flying start in round 1, with Jok Ayii scoring four goals in the Wanderers 6-3 win over Warwick.
St Albans vs. West Wanderers FC Sunday March 17, 3pm, Middle Ridge Park
Women
League leaders Highfields Green host Chinchilla Honeybears in an exciting showdown at Highfields Sport Recreation Park this Saturday.
With two wins from two starts and 13 goals, Highfields Green are in impressive form but know they need a win to stay ahead of Willowburn White and USQ who are biting at their heels on goal difference.
Highfields star Bridget Peden will be the one to watch this weekend, after she netted five goals in Highfields 9-1 demolition job of Warwick last round.
Chinchilla will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing 3-0 loss to USQ FC last weekend, leaving them with a single win and loss from the first two matches of the season.
Highfields Green vs Chinchilla Honeybears Saturday March 17, 1pm, Highfields Sport Recreation Park
Northern
Round two of the FQPL Northern delivered an action-packed weekend, as the weather allowed all matches to proceed as scheduled.
Across seven fixtures, a total of 38 goals were netted over the weekend.
The standout moment in the men’s match, as Burdekin FC secured an impressive upset victory over last year’s champions Brothers Townsville.
Despite Brothers mounting a comeback with two quick goals in the second half, Burdekin’s Matthew Kolb and Oscar Licciardello sealed the win with goals in the 71st and 90th minute.
FQPL Northern Results – Round 2
Men
Saints Eagles South 3 – 2 Rebels FC
Estates FC 2 – 3 MA Olympic
Burdekin FC 5 – 3 Brothers Townsville
Riverway JCU 2 – 1 Townsville Warriors
Women
Estates FC 2 – 1 MA Olympic
Burdekin FC 0 – 12 Brothers Townsville
Riverway JCU 1 – 1 Townsville Warriors
Round 3 preview
Round 3 of the 2024 FQPL Northern season will be an intriguing one with MA Olympic FC set to host Saint Eagles South at Olympic Park on Saturday.
This fixture is shaping up as a potential match of the round, as these two teams finished second and third in the men’s premiership race last season.
Following the big game, the women’s teams will take the field, with MA Olympic aiming to continue their winning start to the season against Saint Eagles South.
Women Fixtures
Saturday March 16
Townsville Warriors v Burdekin FC, Melrose Park, 5pm
MA Olympic FC v Saints Eagles Souths, Olympic Park, 7pm
Sunday March 17
Townsville Brothers v Estates FC, Hi Vista Park, 5pm
Men’s Fixtures
Saturday March 16
MA Olympic FC v Saints Eagles South, Olympic Park, 5pm
Townsville Warriors v Burdekin FC, Melrose Park, 7pm
Riverway JCU v Rebels FC, Joe Baker Field JCU, 7:30pm
Sunday, 17 March
Brothers Townsville v Estates FC, Hi Vista Park, 7pm
Ref takes centre stage
Queensland’s referee pathway was on show on the national stage with FQ Referee Academy graduate Page Malau-Aduli joining one of the state’s most experienced and decorated match officials Casey Reibelt in the Liberty A-Leagues on Saturday afternoon.
The young Townsville match official was also joined by fellow Queenslanders Mi Suk Park and Avrol Beecham in her fourth Liberty A-League appointment.
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