Gold Coast United v Lions FC – NPL Qld Rd17 Preview
The first mid-week game of the season for the Men and a tough one at that! United head to Lions Stadium on Wednesday to take on the reinging NPL Premiers and Champions, Lions FC, on what’s sure to be a great night of quality football.
Lions will be buoyed by their win over the previously undefeated Peninsula Power on the weekend and United will be looking to get back in the winner’s circle after failing to close out the game against Moreton Bay at home last start. Leading 1-0 at the break a missed penalty, and a red card for Dean Wernerson shortly after, proved costly as the Jets seized the initiative to score two goals late on and take the points back to Wolter Park.
United players to watch
The experience and smarts of Captain Michael Thwaite saw the centreback selected in the NPL select mid-year team based on his consistent week in week out performances. An accomplished defender, the former Socceroo has also impressed in his forays forward and picking telling passes to set attacks in train.
Michael Thwaite v Moreton Bay Rd16 (Craig Clifford – Sportspics)
Lions FC at a glance
Lions became the first side to defeat the competition leaders Peninsula Power in a regular league game since 2017. That win sees the Warren Moon coached Lions trail Power by 5 points. Once again Lions have been relying on a watertight defence as the foundation for their success, conceding only 9 goals in their 15 matches so far in 2019. With Matija Simic returning from injury their defensive stocks will be further bolstered. Up front Jheison Mucuace and Joe Duckworth provide pace and skill aplenty.
Past Encounters
Lions pinched the 3 points late at Coplicks in Rd2. In 2018 Lions scored an injury time winner to deny United a point in Rd 10 at Richlands in their first meeting and smashed 6 unanswered goals past United in the reverse fixture in Rd 23 at Station Reserve.
Match Details
National Premier Leagues Queensland Round 17
Lions FC v Gold Coast United
Lions Stadium, Richlands
Wednesday 22 May 2019
Kick-off at 7.30 pm
How to watch
Can’t make it to Lions Stadium, the match is being live streamed on Football Queensland’s youtube channel