Football wrap: Queensland’s top stars, team and the biggest games
Football is back and we have your one stop shop for all the latest results, big name players, top teams and news from right Queensland. Find out what’s happening in your region 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
Round One Results
Women
Southside Comets vs. Leichhardt FC (postponed)
Edge Hill Tigers vs. Stratford Dolphins (postponed)
Mareeba United 9 def Innisfail United 1
Men
Southside Comets vs. Leichhardt FC (postponed)
Redlynch Strikers 1 def by Marlin Coast Rangers 3
Mareeba United 2 def Innisfail United 1
Edge Hill United 7 def Stratford Dolphins 3
Round Two Preview
After a rain-interrupted opening weekend of fixtures, we’re crossing our fingers and toes for a full weekend of FQPL Far North & Gulf action.
In the Women’s, the standout clash of the weekend is Edge Hill hosting Leichhardt FC at Tiger Park.
These two sides were a cut above throughout the 2023 season with Leichhardt going on to win the Premiership/Championship double while the Tigers faded late to be knocked out in straight sets in finals.
The Tigers will be back for revenge and with the home ground advantage, will be hoping to hand the Lions just their second league loss since the start of last season.
It’s a similar story in the Men’s, with the biggest match of the weekend comfortably being the Saturday night blockbuster between Edge Hill and Leichhardt FC.
Last year’s premiers Edge Hill have gone through a changing of the guard this off-season, however they picked up where they left off with a dominant four goal win in their opening match of the season.
The Lions will be hoping they can continue their red-hot form from the back end of last season where they charged from third to claim the Champions title with grand final victory over Mareeba United.
Round Two Fixtures
Women
Friday March 8
Southside Comets vs. Innisfail United, Walker Road, 7:30pm
Mareeba United vs. Redlynch Strikers, Lindsay Australia Stadium, 8.30pm
Edge Hill Tigers vs. Leichhardt FC, Tiger Park, 8.30pm
Men
Saturday, March 9
Mareeba United vs. Redlynch Strikers, Lindsay Australia Stadium, 7pm
Edge Hill United vs. Leichhardt FC, Tiger Park, 7pm
Southside Comets vs. Innisfail United, Walker Road, 7pm
Sunday, 10 March
Marlin Coast Rangers vs. Stratford Dolphins, Pennell Field, 5pm
GOLD COAST
The NPL Men’s competition captured the imagination of football fans across the Gold Coast over the weekend as the Gold Coast Derby delivered some thrilling entertainment.
Gold Coast United keeper Carlos Saliadarre was in inspired form for the hosts but could not prevent his side from a 2-1 loss to the reigning premiers, with strikes from Joel Russell and Tyson Martin sealing a huge win for the Gold Coast Knights.
The deadlock was broken in the 26th minute, as Knights new signing Joel Russell turned the United defence inside out before calmly finishing in the bottom corner.
A fortunate deflection in the second half saw Knights double their lead, with midfielder Tyson Martin scoring his second goal in consecutive matches. Fraser Hills gave United a lifeline as he pulled one back for his side late, but it was not to be for Gold Coast United.
A cracking match between two of Queensland’s premier footballing outfits, the match was another excellent advert for the strength of football on the Gold Coast.
Match Preview
NPL Women Round 5 – Gold Coast United vs. FQ Academy QAS
Gold Coast United have pulled ahead of the pack to sit top of the NPL Women’s competition, and face off against second placed Brisbane City this Saturday night in a match that could have massive implications come the end of the season.
Fresh off a 4-0 demolition of the FQ Academy QAS side, United are in great goalscoring touch, but will need to be at their best from top to bottom as they come up against Queensland’s best forward in Stephanie Latham, who currently has 5 goals in 4 matches for City.
The newly promoted Brisbane City have been turning heads this season, demolishing the Sunshine Coast Wanderers 8-1 earlier in the season and landing a hit on 2023 premiers Lions.
Gold Coast United know they will be up for a tough battle as they will again look to star midfielder Momo Hayashi for inspiration.
The midfielder come defender is currently sitting an impressive second in the goalscoring charts with 5 goals, as well as ranking highly in defensive metrics.
The match kicks off on Saturday at 6.15pm at Imperial Corp Stadium, this will not be one you want to miss.
NPL Women Round 5 Brisbane City vs. Gold Coast United
Saturday March 9, 6.15pm Imperial Corp Stadium, Newmarket
Whitsunday Coast
In the opening round of the FQPL Whitsunday Coast, Mackay Rangers hosting a double header against City Brothers and Whitsunday United. City Brothers secured a comfortable victory in the women’s match, while Whitsunday United staged a second half comeback to defeat Mackay Rangers. Meanwhile, Magpies FC and Mackay Lions played out a thrilling 6-all draw.
FQPL Whitsunday Coast Results – Round 1
Women:
Mackay Rangers v City Brothers FC 0-4
Men
Magpies FC v Mackay Lions 3-3
Mackay Rangers v Whitsunday United 2-3
FQPL Whitsunday Coast Round 2
Round two of the 2024 FQPL Whitsunday Coast season promises excitement as Whitsunday United prepares to face Mackay Wanderers. These teams had notable performances in the 2023 season, with Wanderers finishing as runners-up and Whitsunday clinching the Premiership-Championship title. In their previous encounter, Whitsunday emerged victorious with a 3-0 win.
In the women’s matches, City Brothers will aim to maintain their goalscoring form against Mackay Wanderers, while Whitsunday United women seek to extend their winning streak against Mackay Rangers at home.
Women:
Friday, March 8
City Brothers v Mackay Wanderers, Wanderers Park, 8pm
Mackay Lions SC v Magpies FC, Lions Fields, 8pm
Country United FC v Dolphins FC, Tiger Park, 8pm
Saturday, March 9
Whitsunday United v Mackay Rangers, Whitsunday United, 6pm
Men:
Saturday, March 9
Whitsunday United v Mackay Wanderers, Whitsunday United FC, 7pm
Mackay Lions SC v Mackay Rangers FC, Lions Field, 7pm
Magpies FC v City Brothers, Magpies FC, 7pm
Sunshine Coast
Matchweek 2 Results:
Women
Gympie United 1 drew with Kawana FC 1
Woombye Snakes 1 def by Noosa Lions 2
Maroochydore FC 3 def Beerwah Glasshouse 2
Men
Caloundra FC 4 def Beerwah Glasshouse United 1
Kawana FC vs. Nambour Yandina (postponed)
Coolum FC 1 def by Noosa Lions 5
Woombye Snakes vs. Buderim Wanderers
Gympie United vs. Maroochydore FC
Round 3 Preview
Bring on round three of the 2024 FQPL Sunshine Coast.
In the women’s competition, the unbeaten Maroochydore FC host a Kawana outfit who are chasing their first victory of the season after drawing with Gympie United last weekend and losing to Beerwah Glasshouse in the opening round.
The undefeated Noosa Lions will look to extend their perfect start to the season when they host Nambour Yandina as they look to set themselves up for a title charge.
Gympie United mightn’t have the points on the board but they’ve hit the ground running, narrowly losing to 2023 grand finalists Noosa Lions by a goal (5-4) and drawing with Kawana FC last weekend.
Their opponents Woombye also fell short against the Lions in their opening match, with this looking like a cracking test of both teams’ abilities early on in their campaigns.
Moving to the Men’s, where a number of postponements see five teams sitting undefeated after matchweek two.
Fresh off a dominant seven goal victory, Woombye Snakes host last year’s Champions Noosa Lions in what promises to be a tough clash at the Snake Pit on Saturday evening.
Both sides will be looking to continue their good starts to the season and cement their place firmly in the top four with wins over other finals hopefuls.
Last year’s premiers Caloundra FC, coming off a solid win against Beerwah Glasshouse after a surprise opening round loss against Nambour Yandina, host new league entrants Baringa FC who will be keen to prove their worth after a round one loss to Beerwah Glasshouse at home.
With plenty on the line early in the season, this shapes as another crucial weekend for our Premiership and finals hopeful sides.
Fixtures:
Women:
Friday, March 8
Noosa Lions vs. Nambour Yandina, Noosa Lions FC, 8.30pm
Maroochydore FC vs. Kawana FC, Maroochydore FC, 8.30pm
Gympie United vs. Woombye Snakes, One Mile Oval, 8.30pm
Men:
Thursday, March 7
Kawana FC vs. Beerwah Glasshouse United, Kawana Western Sports Precinct, 8.30pm
Saturday, March 9
Caloundra FC vs. Baringa FC, Meridan Sports Complex, 4pm
Buderim Wanderers vs. Gympie United, Ballinger Park, 6pm
Woombye Snakes vs. Noosa Lions, Woombye FC, 6pm
Maroochydore FC vs. Nambour Yandina, Maroochydore FC, 7pm
Darling Downs
The stage is set for an epic women’s clash at USQ FC this weekend as USQ host the Chinchilla Honeybears in FQPL action.
Hitting Warwick for 6 last Sunday, USQ are in goalscoring form thanks to Joyce De Wit who scored a hat-trick in her side’s victory.
Chinchilla enters the weekend in good form of their own and will be looking again to last year’s FQPL Darling Downs player of the year Sally Carroll for inspiration.
Forward Casey Hogan netted the other two goals in Chinchilla’s 3-0 victory over Highfields Gold.
You won’t want to miss out on the action this weekend, with the match kicking off at 11am on Sunday.
USQ FC vs. Chinchilla Honeybears Sunday, March 10, 11am USQ FC Field 6
Gatton’s Dixon Oval will be the setting for another exciting FQPL Darling Downs battle as the Gatton Redbacks men host Highfields.
The Redbacks will be looking to bounce back from their narrow 2-1 loss against Willowburn in the opening round, and Highfields will be looking to build on a hard fought 1-1 draw away at St Albans.
Nathan Harvey will be looking to find the back of the net again for Highfields, while Gatton will look to Augustine Waita to replicate his goalscoring efforts from last week
It’s set to be an exciting showdown at Gatton this weekend, make sure to get out to Dixon oval at 7pm this Friday night to take in the action.
FQPL Darling Downs Men Gatton Redbacks vs. Highfields Saturday March 9, 7pm Dixon Oval, Gatton
FQPL NORTHERN
Round 1 recap
In the opening round of the FQPL Northern, Eagles Souths hosted a double header against Riverway JCU.
In the women’s match, Riverway JCU secured a narrow victory courtesy with an early goal by Frida Berget.
While in the men’s encounter between the two teams ended in a 1-1 draw, showcasing a tightly contested battle on the field.
FQPL Northern Results – Round 1
Men:
Saints Eagles Souths v Riverway JCU 1-1
Women
Saints Eagles Souths v Riverway JCU 0-1
Round 2 preview
Round 2 of the 2024 FQPL Northern season promises excitement with three double headers scheduled for this weekend.
Estates FC will host Brothers Townsville at Victoria Park, while Burdekin FC prepare to take on Townsville Brothers at International Park, offering a big test for the Burdekin men against last year’s champions.
Meanwhile, Riverway JCU will have both their teams in action at home, facing off against Townsville Warriors.
Women
Saturday, March 9
Estates FC v MA Olympic, Victoria Park (Estates FC), 5pm
Burdekin FC v Brothers Townsville, International Park, 5pm
Riverway JCU v Townsville Warriors, Joe Baker Field JCU, 5:30pm
Men:
Saturday, 9 March
Saints Eagles Souths v Rebels FC, Aitkenvale Park, 7pm
Estates FC v MA Olympic, Victoria Park (Estates FC), 7pm
Burdekin FC v Brothers Townsville, International Park, 7pm
Riverway JCU v Townsville Warriors, Joe Baker Field JCU, 7:30pm
Content in this story has been provided by Football Queensland.
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