Cleveland Showgrounds is hosting the second versus third clash between Redlands City Devils and Brisbane Strikers, while NQ Razorbacks and Bundaberg Spirit will want to keep their form from last weekend, both recording impressive wins. Olympic FC, Capricorn Cougars and Logan United will each desperately chase a victory this weekend after losing last time out, all losses seeing the clubs drop places on the ladder. As always, Sunshine Coast FC will want to extend their lead on the top, this time against the energetic Whitsunday Miners.

Redlands City Devils and Brisbane Strikers will clash horns this Saturday night at Cleveland Showgrounds. Strikers are boosted by the fact that Chay Hews has finally received his international clearance, and Devils’ will be looking to play the same confident, free-flowing football they do week in and week out against Stuart McLaren’s men. The teams have both conceded the same amount of goals this season, but Devils have scored more, and this result could see a further gap between the top two on the table and the rest of the teams come the end of the round.

NQ Razorbacks host Bundaberg Spirit with both teams coming off morale-boosting wins in Round 8. Razorbacks had to come from behind to beat Cougars 2-1, and Spirit’s victory over Olympic FC was only their second of the season. Spirit travel to Townsville with only 13 players, having much of their squad unavailable for this fixture. Among the missing players is Aaron Bakker, who scored the Spirit’s first goal last week and won the penalty that was converted to their second. Even so, Spirit coach Lyn Hodgkinson is still confident his team can come away with the win.

Olympic FC travel north for the second week in a row, this time visiting Capricorn Cougars in Rockhampton. Both teams suffered losses last week and will desperately want to come away with the three points. Olympic FC coach Bobby Hamilton said, “it is critical to take points from teams below us on the ladder” but will be without defenders Wayne Heath and Cameron Saint, as well as first choice goalkeeper David Pattinson.

The first of the Sunday afternoon clashes sees Sunshine Coast FC taking on Whitsunday Miners, the home team on a high after scoring eight goals on the road last time out. This is Acting Head Coach George Cowie’s first home game in charge and he has the pleasure of having a fully fit squad to choose from, welcoming back David Muta after a couple weeks out with a groin injury. Miners travel to the Sunshine Coast wanting to take points off the top team in the league, especially if they want to keep up pace with the top four.

Queensland Academy of Sport and Logan United play out the last encounter of the round. QAS, although losing last week, played very credibly against the second placed team in the league, Redlands City Devils, and will be looking to carry that form with them into this clash. Logan will want to get their season back on track, following three losses in a row that have seen them sink to bottom of the table.

Words - Michelle Tobin

Picture - Brian Monro

QSL ROUND 9 FIXTURES

Redlands City Devils Vs Brisbane Strikers FC
Sat 24th May - 7:00pm
Cleveland Showgrounds, Cleveland

NQ Razorbacks Vs Bundaberg Spirit
Sat 24th May - 7:00pm
Townsville Sports Reserve

Capricorn Cougars Vs Olympic FC
Sat 24th May - 7:00pm
Jardine Park, Rockhampton

Sunshine Coast FC Vs Whitsunday Miners
Sun 25th May - 12:00pm
Stockland Park, Kawana

Queensland Academy of Sport Vs Logan United FC
Sun 25th May - 2:00pm
Perry Park, Albion, Brisbane