Gold Coast United v Strikers – NPL Qld Rd20 Preview
Gold Coast United welcome the Brisbane Strikers to Coplicks for the first time in what looms as a crackerjack match-up.
The Strikers have hit a rich vein of form lately, particularly in the FFA Cup, but also in the league after a bright start to the season got derailed and saw the Brisbane powerhouse struggling through the later stages of the first round of the National Premier Leagues Queensland competition.
For United this match is a chance to rack up a fourth consecutive league win as their push towards a top four spot continues.
United player to watch
Bustling striker Brandon Reeves leads the scoring charts for United and will look to add to his 11 goals when he lines up against the Strikers on Saturday night. Known to lift against the better defences, Brando will be out to stamp his mark on the match and repeat or better his brace from last weekend’s demolition of the Thunder at home.
Brandon Reeves in action against Strikers in Rd5 (Kleur Photography)
Strikers at a glance
Following a 5th placed finish in 2018, a season that saw the Strikers miss the top four for the first time in the history of the NPL competition, a mid-season ‘clean-out’, the return of some experienced players from injury and the emergence of Andy Pengelly as one of the competitions key marksmen has seen a turnaround from Owen Baker’s squad.
A steady climb up the league ladder sees the Strikers sit 8th only four points adrift of United. But it’s in the FFA Cup where the Perry Park based outfit has had the most success accounting for Eastern Suburbs, Lions and the Gold Coast Knights in the preliminary rounds on their way to a fourth appearance on the national stage in the cup competition.
It’s no coincidence that Strikers return to form has come at a time when the experienced midfielder Jake McLean and defender Michael McGowan have seen a load more game time after injury spells. Add to that one of the safest glove men in the comp in Beau Scott and the Strikers fortunes look set to continue to rise. United though will be out to halt that momentum on Saturday.
Past Encounters
United’s 4-0 win in Rd5 stands as arguably the Club’s most complete performance in 2019 and came on the back of a 6-1 demolition of Strikers in pre-season. In contrast Strikers put United to the sword in both 2018 matches, winning 4-2 at Perry Park and repeating the dose at Station Reserve running out comfortable 4-0 winners in the reverse fixture.
Match Details
National Premier Leagues Queensland Round 20
Gold Coast United v Strikers
Saturday, 15 June 2019
Kick-off at 7pm
Coplick Family Sports Park
How to watch
Can’t make it to Tallebudgera, this game is the NPL match of the round and will be live streamed on Football Queensland’s facebook page and youtube channel.
Here’s the youtube link http://bit.ly/GCUvStrikers