NPL QLD Men’s Round 12 Review

Thibault Berthier \\ Photo Credit: Gold Coast Knights 1686046077,1686046553

We have a new league leader following the weekend’s NPL Queensland Round 12 Men’s action.

Gold Coast Knights leapfrogged Gold Coast United into top spot with a 2-1 win over their cross-town rivals in a top-of-the-table clash at Coplicks Sports Park on Saturday night.

Max King rifled a finish into the roof of the net from a tight angle to put Knights ahead in the 53^rd minute but the visitors lead was short lived with a Conor Smith free-kick levelling the scores three minutes later.

Godfrey Debele then lasered a finish into the bottom corner in the 61^st minute for what proved to be the matchwinner in a frantic few minutes of football.

Smith had the chance to level the scores from the penalty spot in the 93^rd minute but had his effort saved by Knights shot-stopper Joshua Langdon.

Third placed Moreton Bay United moved to within three points of Gold Coast United with a comprehensive 5-0 victory over Olympic at Wolter Park on Friday night.

All five goals came in the second half with Jeremy Stewart lead the scoring for the Jets with a brace, while Sam Knight, Marquez Walters and Emryn Donnelly-Fagan all finding the back of the net against an Olympic side who finished with ten men after Lachlan Sayers was sent off in the 77^th minute.

Brisbane City climbed to fourth with a 2-0 win over Young Roar at Imperial Corp Stadium on Sunday evening.

Kye Bolton put the home side ahead with a back post finish in the 40^th minute before turning provider for Jheison Macuace to finish into an empty net ten minutes from time.

It was Lions who made way for City inside the top four after Darren Simes side played out a 2-2 draw with Redlands United at Compass Grounds on Saturday night.

A pair of close range finishes from Jack Skinner and Peter Klaassen within the space of four minutes had the Red Devils 2-0 ahead at the break before Andy Pengelly puled one back for the visitors in the 65^th minute.

Redlands were reduced to ten men in the 67^th minute when Noah Hitchcock was dismissed for his second caution of the contest.

Novak Klajic then popped up to head home a 91^st minute equaliser for the visitors as both sides were forced to settle for a point.

Peninsula Power picked up their third win in four since Aaron Philp returned to the helm with a 3-2 victory over Sunshine Coast Wanderers at Ballinger Park on Saturday evening.

A Liam Fitzsimmons free-kick had the Wanderers infront before strikes from Sam Cronin and Brenton Fox had Power ahead at the break.

Kyan Vanderhurst-Bryant levelled the scores with a spot-kick in the 60^th minute before Rhys Messina popped up with a close range finish in the 74^th minute to seal all three points for the visitors.

Sunshine Coast Wanderers, who are now winless in eight matches and sit just three points above the relegation zone announced they have parted ways with Head Coach Paul Arnison following Saturday’s match.

Elsewhere, eighth placed Rochedale picked up their fourth win from five matches with a comprehensive 6-1 victory over Eastern Suburbs at Heath Park.

Marek Madle, who is now the league’s third highest scorer with eight goals netted a hat-trick while Josh Moreland, Harry Talbot and Oliver Dearn were also on target for Scott MacNicol’s side.