WRAP: The big games and star players to watch this weekend
The goals are flowing thick and fast across the Sunshine State. Find out who the golden boot contenders and star players from your region are here.
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With another huge weekend of football wrapped up there’s plenty of talk about.
Here is Football Queensland’s look at the top players and teams from across the Sunshine State and a look at one club on the verge of creating Kappa Queensland Cup history.
Information in this column is provided by the Football Queensland Media team.
Far North and Gulf
Southside Comets are on the verge of completing one of the most remarkable cup runs in Queensland history.
After taking on and defeating the top regional sides from across the state, they now host NPL Queensland Men powerhouse Olympic FC in the Kappa Queensland Cup quarterfinals.
The mid-table FQPL Far North & Gulf side have risen to the occasion at every challenge throughout their journey being crowned regional champion in their last fixtures against unbeaten FQPL Whitsunday Coast side Magpies FC.
Their run started with a comfortable victory over fellow FQPL Far North & Gulf side Redlynch Strikers, before they handed reigning FQPL Far North & Gulf champions Leichhardt FC a 4-3 loss in one of the games of the tournament.
They next travelled to Townsville to host FQPL Northern heavyweights Brothers Townsville, who they knocked out via a penalty shootout courtesy of some Michael Hood heroics in goal. Next up was Magpies FC, again in Townsville, who they were able to ease past with a commanding 4-1 victory, much to the delight of the travelling Comets supporters.
A win against Olympic FC would not only secure a place in the Kappa Queensland Cup semi-finals, but a place in the Australia Cup National Round of 32.
If you’re around Cairns this Saturday afternoon, head down to Walker Road Sports Complex to catch kick-off at 2pm and throw your support behind the Comets.
Date: Saturday, June 15 at 3pm
Venue: Walker Road Sporting Complex
Results
Men
Innisfail United 2 def Stratford Dolphins 0
Edge Hill United 2 drew with Marlin Coast Rangers 2
Mareeba United 2 def by Leichhardt FC 4
Southside Comets 1 drew with Redlynch Strikers 1
Women
Innisfail United 0 def by Stratford Dolphins 4
Mareeba United 3 def Leichhardt FC 0 [Forfeit]
Southside Comets 1 def by Redlynch Strikers 3
FQPL Far North & Gulf – Round 14 Fixtures
Fixtures
Men
Saturday, June 15
Redlynch Strikers vs. Edge Hill Tigers, Calanna Park, 7pm
Leichhardt FC vs. Innisfail United, Steve Corica Oval, 7pm
Sunday, June 16
Mareeba United vs. Marlin Coast Rangers, Lindsay Australia Stadium, 5pm
Women
Friday, June 14
Redlynch Strikers vs. Edge Hill Tigers, Calanna Park, 8.30pm
Stratford Dolphins vs. Southside Comets, Nick Brko Field, 8.30pm
Saturday, 15 June
Leichhardt FC vs. Innisfail United, Steve Corica Oval, 3pm
South Coast
With the ladder taking shape at the halfway mark of the FQPL 3 South Coast competitions, teams are starting to separate themselves.
Last weekend’s fixtures were full of thrilling games and stellar performances across the grounds.
These are the players who performed best for their teams over the weekend as voted by the coaches.
Men
Gold Coast Knights vs. Burleigh Heads (0-1)
Burleigh Heads
Jackson Boyd, 3
Liam Woods, 2
Matthew Deehan, 1
Southport vs. Palm Beach (1-1)
Southport
Richard Clark, 3
Thomas Kenney, 2
Gavin Wales, 1
Runaway Bay vs. Kingscliff (0-4)
Runaway Bay
Sam Wakeham, 3
Taylor Phipps, 2
Thirone Correia, 1
Surfers Paradise Apollo vs. Musgrave (5-1)
Surfers Paradise Apollo
Noah, Davies, 3
Travis, Smith, 2
Oliver, Roddan, 1
Coomera vs. Tweed United (2-3)
Tweed United
Lachlan Arkinstall, 3
Harris Mclean, 2
Dylan Sloane, 1
Women
Runaway Bay vs. Palm Beach (0-1)
Runaway Bay
Nambi Branton, 3
Emily Sams, 2
Laura Hogg, 1
Palm Beach:
Gemma Davies, 3
Danielle Barrett, 2
Mia Bowers, 1
Nerang vs. Magic (1-5)
Nerang
Lila McGuinness, 3
Laura Phillips, 2
Tameya Lauvao, 1
Northern Rivers vs. Musgrave (0-3)
Musgrave
Sophie Bui, 3
Evelina Hansson, 2
Joni Nedeljak, 1
Gold Coast United vs. Peninsula Power
After going winless in their last four games in the National Premier League men’s competition, Gold Coast United’s match against Peninsula Power this Saturday becomes a must win.
With both teams fighting for spots in the top six, Saturday’s match is set to be a belter.
Gold Coast have shown previously that they can match it with the best, winning against a strong Lions team earlier in the season.
However, after collecting three points from their last four games, Gold Coast United will have to find form against Peninsula.
Despite recent performances, Gold Coast United is always a formidable team at home. Travelling teams have struggled at Coplick Family Sports Park, with table leaders Gold Coast Knights being the only team to defeat the hosts so far this season.
Gold Coast United will be looking to continue their impressive home form with a win over Peninsula on Saturday.
Peninsula’s previous meeting with Gold Coast saw the Power secure a comfortable 3-1 victory in Round 4.
Since then, Peninsula now sit fifth on the table and three points ahead of Gold Coast. Peninsula know a victory will be crucial in extending the gap against their opponents in the race for the top six ahead of finals.
With both teams in tight contention with each other, everything will be to play for 5pm this Saturday at Coplick Family Sports Park.
Whitsunday Coast
In the latest action-packed fixtures of the FQPL Women’s competition, Dolphins FC exhibited their dominance with a remarkable 5-0 triumph over Magpies FC.
Kylie Lopez-Duncan’s exceptional hat-trick lead Dolphins to victory.
Mackay Rangers secured a crucial 2-0 win over Mackay Wanderers, while Mackay Lions asserted their dominance with an impressive 6-1 victory against Whitsunday United.
In the FQPL Men’s, Magpies FC extended their unbeaten streak with a hard-fought 2-1 win over City Brothers.
Whitsunday United delivered an impressive performance, clinching a convincing 5-1 victory against Mackay Wanderers, elevating them to the top of the ladder.
Round 12 results and top performers from the weekend recognised by their coaches:
FQPL Women
Dolphins FC 5-0 Magpies FC
Kylie Lopez-Duncan – 3
Lilliana Knight – 2
Kuini Kauwhata – 1
City Brothers 1-1 Country United
Johananh Biddle – 3
Rachelle Zoricic – 2
Georgia Schick – 1
Mackay Rangers 2-0 Mackay Wanderers
Bridey Attard – 3
Keeley Hamilton – 2
Sarah-Lee Murphy-Way – 1
Mackay Lions 6-1 Whitsunday United
Kirby Radford – 3
Lauren Blank – 2
Katrine Sellar – 1
FQPL Men
City Brothers 1–2 Magpies FC
Mackay Wanderers 1–5 Whitsunday United
Delors Tuyishime – 3
Kurt Ashley – 2
Alan O’Donnell – 1
Mackay Lions 3–0 Mackay Rangers
Declan Harmer – 3
Daniel Gardner – 2
Angus McKenzie – 1
Cup blockbuster
The undefeated Mackay Lions SC are set to take on FQPL Northern contenders, MA Olympic FC, in what promises to be a riveting Kappa Queensland Cup women’s regional final this Saturday night at Olympic Park in Townsville.
Both teams have showcased exceptional form throughout the season, with Mackay Lions SC boasting an impressive undefeated streak in the FQPL competition, while MA Olympic FC has also exhibited their prowess on the field.
With both sides in top form, this highly anticipated match is certain to deliver edge-of-your-seat excitement from start to finish.
FQPL Whitsunday Coast Round 13 Fixtures
Women
Friday June 14
Country United vs. Mackay Wanderers, Tiger Park, 8pm
Magpies FC vs. Mackay Rangers, Magpies FC, 8pm
Saturday June 15
City Brothers vs. Whitsunday United, City Brothers Field 2, 6pm
Men
Saturday June 15
Mackay Rangers vs. Mackay Wanderers, Eric Homan Park, 5pm
Magpies FC vs. Whitsunday United, Magpies FC, 7pm
Mackay Lions vs. City Brothers, City Brothers Field 1, 7pm
MiniRoos Team of the Week
The U5 Girls Eagles is City Brothers’ very first all-girls MiniRoos team.
The girls were very excited to receive their pink jerseys and were more than happy to pose for a photo together.
The club hopes these little ladies continue for many years to come and become the trailblazers for many more girls-only teams in the club.
The U5 Girls Eagles is a huge deal for the club, and they hope to continue growing the number of girls and women participating in football.
Sunshine Coast
MiniRoos Team of the Week – Flinders FC U10 Leopards: Rising Stronger Together
The Flinders FC under-10 Leopards team has faced a challenging start to the season, but their journey is quickly becoming a story of resilience, growth, and teamwork.
Despite a few initial losses, the team is beginning to find its stride, showcasing a determination and energy that is propelling them in the right direction.
At the heart of this transformation is the unwavering support from the parents.
Recognising the need for additional guidance on game days, several parents have stepped up to help the coach.
Their involvement has not only provided the players with valuable insights and encouragement but also fostered a stronger sense of community within the team.
The team manager Nicolette Shavaksha has also played a pivotal role in this resurgence. Through meticulous organisation and a genuine commitment to the team’s success, the manager has been instrumental in bringing the team together.
From co-ordinating practice sessions to managing game day logistics, her efforts have ensured that every player feels supported and motivated.
This year, the team welcomed six new players, bringing fresh talent and enthusiasm to the group.
These newcomers have seamlessly integrated with the seven returning players, creating a dynamic and cohesive unit.
The blend of new energy and seasoned experience is proving to be a winning combination.
As the season progresses, the Leopards are not just improving their skills on the field but also building lasting friendships and learning the true meaning of teamwork.
Their recent games have shown a marked improvement, with players communicating better, executing plays with greater precision, and displaying with an infectious enthusiasm that is hard to miss.
The future looks bright for our U10 team.
With continued effort, the support of dedicated parents and the leadership of an exceptional team manager, they are on a promising path. As they continue to grow and gel as a team, there’s no doubt that they will achieve great things together.
Here’s to the U10 Leopards — a team that’s learning, growing, and playing with heart.
Results
Women
Noosa Lions 0 def by Maroochydore FC 1
Nambour Yandina 2 def by Beerwah Glasshouse 3
Woombye Snakes 7 def Kawana FC 3
Men
Noosa Lions 6 def Coolum FC 0
Beerwah Glasshouse 1 def by Caloundra FC 3
Buderim Wanderers 2 drew with Woombye Snakes 2
Nambour Yandina 1 def Kawana FC 0
Maroochydore Swans 2 def Gympie United 1
Round 14 Fixtures
Women
Friday, June 14
Nambour Yandina vs. Kawana FC, Yandina Sports Complex, 8.30pm
Maroochydore FC vs. Woombye Snakes, Maroochydore FC, 8.30pm
Saturday, June 15
Beerwah Glasshouse vs. Gympie United, Glasshouse Mountains Sports Complex, 4pm
Men
Saturday, June 15
Beerwah Glasshouse vs. Kawana FC, Glasshouse Mountains Sports Complex, 6pm
Baringa FC vs. Caloundra FC, Baringa Sports Complex, 6pm
Noosa Lions vs. Woombye Snakes, Girraween Sports Complex, 6pm
Gympie United vs. Buderim Wanderers, One Mile Oval, 6pm
Nambour Yandina vs. Maroochydore FC, Yandina Sports Complex, 6pm
Darling Downs
The Darling Downs FQPL Men’s and Women’s competitions delivered another exciting round of action, as the women’s competition returned to the field after a short break.
Check out the 3-2-1’s from the weekend matches as voted for by the coaches!
Men
Highfields vs. Rockville Rovers (1-2)
Highfields: Matthew Eilers, 3 Levi Sciarrone, 2 Joshua Green, 1
Rockville Rovers: Jase Sampson, 3 Ameer Sulaiman, 2 William Gibson, 1
St Albans vs. Gatton Redbacks (1-3)
St Albans: Braydan Lobwein, 3 Hunter Purcell, 2 Jarrod Ott, 1
Gatton Redbacks: Nicholas Edwards, 3 Daniel Cronin, 2 Ian Nagle, 1
Warwick v. Willowburn (1-4)
Warwick: Cameron Davey, 3 Alexander Dwan, 2 Robert Davey, 1
Willowburn: Anthony Sewell, 3 Brodie Welch, 2 Beau Partridge, 1
Women
Rockville Rovers vs. Chinchilla (5-2)
Rockville: Steffi Wilson, 3 Kirralee Bronkhurst, 2 Emmersyn Ranford, 1
Chinchilla: Milla Shepherd, 3 Macy Gaze, 2 Sally Carroll, 1
Highfields Green vs. USQFC (2-0)
Highfields: Green Chloe O’rourke, 3 Chloe Green, 2 Hayley Warner, 1
USQFC: Hannah Maag, 3 Jasmin May, 2 Joyce De Wit, 1
Highfields Gold vs. Willowburn White (1-4)
Highfields: Gold Seryah Phillips, 3 April Mammino, 2 Jorja Mathies, 1
Willowburn White: Zoe Doyle, 3 Shandell Doro, 2 Emily Clarke, 1
Warwick vs. Willowburn Black (2-2)
Warwick: Caitlin Fisher, 3 Elise Wyvill, 2 Angela Smith, 1
Willowburn Black: Dannielle Davis, 3 Kiama Gray, 2 Jade Gaske, 1
Preview
We’ve reached the midpoint of the FQPL 3 Darling Downs Men’s season, and this weekend’s clash between Gatton Redbacks and Rockville Rovers promises to be a thrilling encounter.
The first-placed Rockville have an impressive record of eight wins from ten matches and will be determined to extend their lead at the top of the ladder.
With a potent attack that has netted 25 goals so far this season, Rockville are in fine form with four wins from their last five outings.
Key to their success has been striker Ameer Sulaiman, whose 17 goals this season place him at the top of the golden boot race.
Sulaiman’s partnership with Elliott Barber, who has chipped in with three goals, will be crucial as they aim to break down the Gatton defence.
Gatton Redbacks, sitting second with 21 points, are just four points behind Rockville with a game in hand.
A win this weekend is essential for Gatton to keep their title hopes alive and put pressure on the league leaders.
The Redbacks boast the best offensive record in the league, having scored 30 goals, largely thanks to the prolific scoring of Wilfred Roanaota and Nicholas Edwards, who have scored 12 and seven goals respectively.
Augustine Waita, with five goals, adds further firepower to their attacking line-up, while captain Nicholas Edwards has been in top form so far this season in the midfield.
This matchup not only has title implications but could also impact the race for finals football, with both teams eager to assert their dominance.
Head out at 3pm this Sunday to Dixon Oval, Gatton to enjoy what is set to be a top-class footballing spectacle
Golden Boot race
As we edge past the halfway mark in the season, we look at who the leading goal scorers are in the FQPL 3 Darling Downs men’s, women’s and under 23 competitions!
Women
1. Courtney Morris, Willowburn White, 22
2. Bridget Peden, Highfields Green, 17
3. Sophie Simpson, Warwick, 14
4. Sienna Lockwood, Rockville Rovers, 13
5. Sheniya Bell, Rockville Rovers, 11
5. Ameleah-Paige Miller, Highfields Green, 11
5. Joyce De Wit, USQFC, 11
5. Peppa Hoare, USQFC, 11
6. Penny Dukes, Willowburn White, 10
7. Shandell Doro, Willowburn White, 8
Men
1. Ameer Sulaiman, Rockville Rovers, 17
2. Wilfred Roanaota, Gatton Redbacks, 12
3. Brodie Welch, Willowburn, 10
4. Jok Ayii, West Wanderers, 8
5. Nicholas Edwards, Gatton Redbacks, 7
6. Levi Sciarrone, Highfields, 6
6. Daniel Weber, St Albans, 6
7. Augustine Waita, Gatton Redbacks, 5
7. Caelen Richardson, West Wanderers, 5
8. Riley Lobwein, St Albans, 4
U23 Men
1. Dylan Brown, Highfields, 9
1. Christopher Tate, West Wanderers, 9
2. Kieran Antell, Willowburn, 8
2. Zayed Al Qaso, St Albans, 8
3. Majeed Sulaiman, Rockville Rovers, 7
3. Zubair Hussein, Rockville Rovers, 7
4. Riley Swash, Highfields, 5
5. Cooper Jackson, Gatton Redbacks, 4
5. James Allmond, Highfields, 4
5. Aidan Brettell, West Wanderers, 4
Northern
It was a big weekend in the FQPL Northern Men’s competition with two upsets.
Second-place Brothers Townsville hosted fourth-place Riverway JCU in what was the match of the round, and it did not disappoint.
Riverway started the first half strong, scoring three goals, while Brothers bounced back with two goals before halftime.
Riverway secured the first goal of the second half, and although Brothers scored in the 79th minute, it wasn’t enough, resulting in an upset 4-3 victory for Riverway.
Sixth-place Saints Eagles Souths hosted third-place Burdekin FC at Aitkenvale Park on Saturday night.
Nothing could separate the teams until the 77th minute when Trent Grant scored to take the lead to 1-0.
Three minutes later, Sebastian Von Mellenthin scored another to secure an upset win for Saints Eagles Souths.
In the women’s competition, Brothers Townsville continued to show their dominance this season with a comfortable win over Riverway JCU.
Meanwhile, Estates FC played Townsville Warriors, and neither team could pull ahead, resulting in a 2-2 draw.
The draw moved Estates FC to third on the FQPL Northern Women’s ladder, with Riverway slipping to fourth.
Round 12 results and top performers from the weekend recognised by their coaches:
Round 12 Results
Women
Brothers Townsville 6–0 Riverway JCU
Ellouise Brown – 3
Darcey Bailey – 2
Addison Corrie-Bolger – 1
Estates FC 2-2 Townsville Warriors
Brooke McLeod | Tia O’Neill – 3
Maddison Marsh | Simone House – 2
Bec Maisey | Sarah Astbury – 1
Men
Brothers Townsville 3-4 Riverway JCU
Harry Smythe – 3
Ali Makhazoum – 2
Sean Young – 1
Estates FC 1 – 2 Townsville Warriors
John McLean – 3
Lachlan Hutchings – 2
Brody Lejarraga – 1
Rebels FC 0-5 MA Olympic
Andreas Toundas – 3
Padraic Glasheen – 2
Reece Edmonds – 1
Saints Eagles Souths 2-0 Burdekin FC
Anthony Holmes – 3
David Payne – 2
Sebastian Von Mellenthin – 1
Round 13 Fixtures
Women
Saturday June 15
Estates FC vs. Saints Eagles Souths | Victoria Park | 5pm
Burdekin FC vs. Riverway JCU | International Park | 5pm
Men
Saturday, 15 June
MA Olympic vs. Townsville Warriors | Olympic Park | 5pm
Estates FC vs. Saints Eagles Souths | Victoria Park | 7pm
Burdekin FC vs. Riverway JCU | International Park | 7pm
Brothers Townsville vs. Rebels FC | Hi Vista Park | 7pm
Kappa FC
Strap yourselves in for this weekend’s women’s regional final of the Kappa Queensland Cup between two inter-region heavyweights.
Undefeated MA Olympic FC will host FQPL Whitsunday Coast’s Mackay Lions SC this Saturday night at Olympic Park.
MA Olympic has had a strong start to the season, remaining undefeated and yet to concede a goal in the FQPL competition. Mackay Lions will be in for a battle.
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