Palm Beach Sharks remain the team to beat in NPL Queensland but the Gold Coast club’s nearest rivals remain in the hunt following another week of important fixtures.
Brisbane Strikers v Harimau Muda ‘A’
Brisbane Strikers consolidated their position in the NPL Queensland top four with a fiery 2-1 win over Harimau Muda ‘A’ at Perry Park on Wednesday night.
Nurridzuan Abu Hassan gave the visitors an early lead before Strikers fought back through Matt Thurtell and Jheison Macauce either side of the break.
Harimau Muda’s Gary Steven Robbat was red carded for violent conduct in the first half, before two members of the Harimau Muda coaching staff were banished from the technical area for dissent in the final stages in the fiery clash.
Olympic FC v Moreton Bay United
Olympic FC sent a message ahead of Tuesday’s Westfield FFA Cup tie, crushing fellow NPL Queensland finals contenders Moreton Bay United 5-1 at Goodwin Park on Friday night.
A hat-trick from Danny Byrne did the bulk of the damage, while winger Reuben Way added to an own goal in the hosts five goal display. Jets debutant Matthew Sanchez netted the visitors only goal early in the second half.
The win sees Olympic leap-frog cross town rivals Brisbane Strikers into second place in the battle for a home semi-final, while Jets have lost three of their past four to remain in fifth place.
Palm Beach Sharks v Harimau Muda ‘A’
Two goals in each half from striker Chris Lucas helped Palm Beach Sharks hold out a determined Harimau Muda 4-3 at Mallawa Complex on Saturday night.
Lucas shot to the top of the NPL Queensland Golden Boot charts with his second four goal haul of the campaign, scoring twice in each half to take his tally to 29 goals.
The visitors pulled a goal back prior to the break through Nazirul Naim Che Hashim, before second half strikes to Adam Nor Azlin and Muhd Arif Farhan Md Isa forced a nervous close to the contest.
The win sees Sharks maintain their eight point advantage atop the standings ahead of Olympic FC, while Harimau Muda remain in ninth.
South West Queensland Thunder v Western Pride
Western Pride proved too strong for South West Queensland Thunder on Saturday night, coming from a goal down to claim the 'A2 Derby' 4-1 at Clive Berghofer Stadium in Toowoomba.
Lincoln Rule secured a brace from the penalty spot for the visitors, adding to goals from Schon Hansen and Peter Drager, while Nathan Knox netted Thunder’s sole strike early in the match.
The result marks the second win in three games for Pride and moves the Ipswich club within five points of 11th placed Northern Fury.
Thunder remain at the foot of the league table without a competition point in their debut season.
FNQ FC Heat v Sunshine Coast Fire
FNQ FC Heat returned to the NPL Queensland top four, defeating Sunshine Coast Fire 2-0 in Cairns on Saturday night.
The hosts struck twice in the second half through Alex Smith and Crios O’Hare to record their first win in three weeks and end Fire’s three match winning streak.
The result lifts Heat to fourth spot on the NPL Queensland ladder, while Fire remain in seventh just three points outside the finals places.
Northern Fury v Brisbane Roar NYL
Northern Fury recorded their first three points in more than a month on Sunday, defeating Brisbane Roar NYL 2-1 at Townsville Sports Reserve.
A Corey Waples penalty in the final ten minutes proved decisive after Kevin Fraser’s first half header followed by a Fury own goal saw the sides even at the break The deciding goal came from the penalty spot after Fraser was felled in the area – Waples deflecting his strike off the woodwork to seal the points.
The result moves Fury to within two points of the tenth place Roar.