I get they wanted to differentiate from the mareeba side but at least bulls sounded respectable. Heat is the latest in shit club names in Aus.

Yep not a lot of imagination went into the name.

The National Premier Leagues action continues right across the Sunshine State this weekend. Stay up to date with the Round 3 preview.

Queensland Academy of Sport (9th) v Palm Bach Sharks FC (10th)
Saturday, 23rd March 2013 – Perry Park, 4:30PM

With both sides still seeking their maiden NPL win, the first game of the Perry Park double-header promises to be an all-action affair fought to the very last.

Academy head coach Josh McCloughan will consider fielding his contingent of returned Roar National Youth League players, while Palm Beach will persevere with a relatively unchanged side.

Sharks head coach Osacar Langoni said he remains pleased with his team’s performance thus far despite not having any points to show from two spirited displays.

Langoni has however admitted to putting extra emphasis on shooting practice this week in a bid to improve the Sharks fortunes in front of goal.

Moreton Bay United Jets FC (3rd) v Northern Fury FC (7th)
Saturday, 23rd March 2013 – Wolter Park, 5:00PM

Northern Fury will conclude a three round opening road trip with the club’s first visit to the state’s south-east corner since it’s A-League incarnation.

TheTownsville-based side faces NPL surprise packet Moreton Bay United, who have taken maximum points from two tricky opening fixtures. Jets coach Terry Kirkham admitting his reluctance to alter a winning formula.

By comparison, Fury have one win and one loss to show from two matches; coach Gareth Edds suggested he will be seeking greater consistency and discipline from his squad, and emphasised the importance of securing points away from home.

Brisbane Strikers FC (2nd) v Olympic FC (1st)
Saturday, 23rd March 2013 – Perry Park, 7:00PM

The feature fixture in the Perry Park double-header is a top of the table Brisbane derby between Strikers and Olympic.

Both clubs have proved prolific in front of goal early in the season, and Olympic FC head coach Jim Bellas anticipates another high-scoring game this round in the tradition of previous Strikers-Olympic derbies.

Strikers head coach David Large uncharacteristically stated that Olympic should be considered favourites for the clash, whilst also admitting to defensive tweaks intended to counter the threat of Olympic’s league-leading front three.

However, Strikers possess a potent attacking third of their own, ensuring a test for stand-in Olympic goalkeeper Shannon Lancini.

FNQ FC Heat (8th)v Brisbane City FC (11th)
Saturday, 23rd March 2013 – Barlow Park, 7:30PM

Despite having never previously met, both sides will be familiar with their opponent this week after they shared the same Spencer Park pitch in last Saturday’s double-header.

Heat head coach Martin Docherty and City head coach Glen Volkers were conspicuous spectators during each other’s matches, setting the stage for a somewhat tactical battle in Cairns.

Docherty admitted his side intends to set the tempo in the muggy tropical conditions, taking advantage of the natural conditioning of his locally-produced squad to create a genuine home field advantage.

Meanwhile, Volkers said he wasn’t going to overanalyse his side’s erratic opening performances, instead looking to build team cohesion through hardwork on the training pitch and persisting with a relatively unchanged squad for the fixture.

Redlands United FC (7th) v CQFC Energy (12th)
Sunday, 24th March 2013 – Cleveland Showgrounds, 3:00PM

The bayside welcomes its first taste of National Premier Leagues action this weekend as mid-table Devils welcome cellar-dwellers CFC Energy to Cleveland Showgrounds.

Redlands head coach Matt Chandler will continue to ease key players back from injury after his side secured their first win of the campaign last round, uncovering some promising attacking swagger on the way.

Meanwhile, Energy continue to play catch-up following a rain-mired preseason, and will hope their first away trip brings a change of fortunes after shipping an unflattering 13 goals in the opening two rounds.

Western Pride FC (4th)v Sunshine Coast FC Fire (5th)
Sunday, 24th March 2013 – North Ipswich Reserve, 4:00PM

Ipswich plays host to a punch-drunk Sunshine Coast in the final match of the round.

The highly-fancied Fire were stunned by a determined Moreton Bay last week and Western Pride coach Kasey Wehrman is wary of getting burned by a club out to re-establish their title credentials this weekend.

Wehrman’s side are undefeated from their opening two fixtures and remains confident his side can remain so heading in to the Easter.

Fire head coach Kevin Aherne-Evans stated his side was not panicking despite a mixed start to the season, and remained focused on maintaining their own style of football.

Although, Aherne-Evans conceded his side needed to be more ruthless in front of goal and will consider making changes over the Easter break to that effect.

http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-9385-0-0-0&sID=269940&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=22808169

Edited by El Toro: 22/3/2013 01:47:30 PM

That would be a big boost for the QAS.

i must say redlands played a fantastic brand of football.

When Redlands are on song there is no better football team around thats how they won the Brisbane League last year but so far they look like they are easing in and just warming up.
I will predict here and now they will win the NPL league this season.

Look forward to seeing them play in Townsville.

-PB

http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2013/03/23/377971_sport.html

Palm Beach defeat QAS 3-0.

You just saw them. Got spanked.

2-0

Olympic FC 7-2 Brisbane Strikers

Was not expecting those type of results in the Olympic v Strikers and the City v FNQ matches.

Fury pumped by Morton Bay 3-0

Redlands 11 CQ 2

Sunshine Coast FC have defeated Western Pride 4-0 in the last match of the round. Despite the match being abandoned due to the weather, the result will stand.

Probably the most expensive Pub League in the world.

Waste of time and money having teams from outside SEQ.

jee very impatient. How about see how the season develops first them make a call?

Table as it stands;



-PB

Sunshine Coast FC Fire fb page.

Redlands are now on six points as well? So many blow outs so far which is quite concerning. Is it down to poor defending, player quality, new teams not gelling or just fitness?

Not surprising that the Sunshine Coast has dropped ticket prices.

QSL 2.0

[youtube]buK470vPybo[/youtube]
:d Smitsy.

Holden Caulfield living the dream

Western Pride has joined the Brisbane Roar One Goal Program and the Amart Sports Kick Back program.

That ingham guy goes alright!
Would be very happy to see him in the a-league next year

Fire and rain puts a big dent in Pride ambitions


FOOTBALL fans saw Fire, rain, lightning and some lost Pride at the North Ipswich Reserve yesterday.

But the storm that caused an early finish to the National Premier League match between Sunshine Coast Fire and Western Pride didn't affect the outcome of the match.

Pride suffered their first loss of the NPL season in being outgunned 4-0 by a more polished Fire side.
Drying off in the Pride dressing room post-game, player-coach Kasey Wehrman was glad he came out in the second half for his first NPL match.

Despite the poor first half, he led by example in trying to ignite something after a disappointing first half.

Pride trailed 2-0 at the break after having Devon Munn sent off for accruing two yellow cards.

But rather than watch and hope, Wehrman got stuck in. He displayed some of his A-League skills before the skies opened.

A fierce electrical storm swamped North Ipswich Reserve with the referee's watch showing 36 minutes played in the half.

But the savage storm was never going to douse the Fire that took over the Reserve and gave Pride a valuable lesson.

"It was a good learning curve for them today because that was a good football team that we played today," Wehrman said.

"They were on their game and we were way off ours.

"If we want to compete with the better teams, we have to be right up there."

The match started in hot conditions and Pride's sluggish start was punished when Kaine Frew found the net early.

"The boys just were a bit lackadaisical about things and weren't switched on and before they knew it, they were 2-0 down," Wehrman said.

Pride goalkeeper Steve Purdy had a strange game, kicking the ball out and being casual at times.

Yet if it wasn't for his fine hand skills, Pride could have easily lost by eight or nine nil.

One of Pride's best was midfielder Lincoln Rule who never gave in.

Pride have plenty to ponder heading into the Easter break with a draw, win and loss in their debut NPL season.

"There's no reason to go overboard with it," Wehrman said.

"It's just a matter of the boys really focusing on what they are good at and what we are trying to achieve. Today we were a little bit hit and miss."

State of Play

National Premier League: Sunshine Coast Fire 4 (Kaine Frew, Jeremy Lynch, Sam Knight, Ryan Smith) d Western Pride 0. Under 18: Sunshine Coast d Western Pride 7-3.http://www.qt.com.au/news/fire-and-rain-puts-a-big-dent-in-pride-ambitions/1804218/

+1, by the look of it his coach rates him highly as well.

Western Pride FC is staking a claim for the hearts and minds of the city of Ipswich and the surrounding western corridor with positive results for the local community.

The club is only 6 months old, and officials admit to harbouring further ambitions, but already Western Pride is well on the way to becoming a fixture of the Ipswich sporting landscape.

Despite a rich football history in the urban corridor west of Brisbane, local footballers previously had to move to the capital or interstate to continue their professional development.

However, Pride General Manager Pat Boyle explained that thanks to the National Premier Leagues emphasis on the elite player development pathway this is no longer the case.

“Juniors are a big part of our club. It’s all about the development of those kids and giving them the chance to progress,” Boyle said.

“Some of the talent in the kids coming through is amazing. And finally they have a product that enables them to stay in the area and stay involved in the game.”

Boyle, who has long been involved in the region's football as a player and administrator, also insisted the club had long-term ambitions both on and off the pitch.

“We have the right business model with the right people behind the scenes to grow this club. There’s certainly no half measures here.”

Sunday saw Pride's junior teams line-up against Sunshine Coast Fire at Eric Evans Reserve, which has recently benefitted from a multi-million dollar upgrade to facilities.

Barbara Dale, manager of the Pride Under-15 girls, was enthusiastic about the NPL’s junior development focus and the complimentary scheduling of games across the junior divisions.

“Last year we had to drive to a different venue to watch the next team. With NPL and Western Pride the games are back to back so you can stay on and support the other teams easier,” Dale explained.

Dale also was adamant the NPL was clear step up in quality and that the juniors were responding well: “The technique is very good, the girls are getting better every week and they are very committed to taking this all the way.”

Madison Baird – pictured with teammates Jazmine McKay (centre) and Kaytlyn Ronan (right) – plays in the Pride under-15’s and was enthusiastic about her first season with newly-formed club.

“I love playing NPL,” she enthused. “The coaches are great and I’ve learned so much already like how to work as a team and where the ball should go.”

Baird also admitted to idolising the play of some of the older girls at the club, an endorsement of the NPL concept and the club’s community minded approach.

“Chloe Williams and Brooke Nielsen in the under-18’s are really good – they have so much control and skill when they have the ball. I want to play like them.”

The boys are also reaping the rewards of the NPL’s all-encompassing approach to player development.

Local school teacher Greg Farrell was once on the books at English League Two side Aldershot Town and now coaches the Pride’s Under-16 boys. He is convinced of the benefits of the NPL structure.

“Because it’s the first year of a new competition, some people were worried how it would go. But so far the standard is good and the boys I’ve got are great – they are really here to play and to learn.” Farrell said.

He reserved special praise for the senior Pride teams player/coach Kasey Wehrman who played for clubs in Norway and represented the Socceroos before ending his professional career with Newcastle Jets in the A-League.

“Kasey has been brilliant," Farrell gushed. "I’ve learned more in a couple of months working with him than I have in a long time working with other people.”

“I had some great coaches in the UK, but Kasey has the personality and the approachability as well.”

“He took some sessions with the under-16’s and the boys all enjoyed it. If they had a question they would ask and he answered them well.”

Under-15’s player Harrison Diehm, was also enthusiastic about the benefits of having Wehrman around the club.

“Kasey’s been down to training. Teaching us how to improve and showing us some set pieces.”

Diehm was also under no illusions in regard to the National Premier Leagues elite player pathway mantra.

“This is the foundation of becoming a professional footballer,” he explained, “If you want to become that then this is where you start, in the NPL.”

“It’s good fun playing at a top level in the division below the A-League – it’s really great.”

It’s not just the football faithful responding to the club’s presence in the reion. Local resident Brian Plant chose Sunday to attend his first ever football match – watching the youth and senior sides compete at North Ipswich Reserve.

“We were just driving past and saw the crowd and thought we’d come in,” he explained.

“It’s certainly a good thing that they are using this facility. This is the home of Ipswich football and the people who come here to watch rugby league will go over and watch the soccer as well.”

“It’s truly a good thing for the city and the people,” Plant surmised.http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-9385-0-0-0&sID=269940&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=22891191

Have you seen Western Pride's new club song? It's different. I'll give them that.


[youtube]IAEYDe5Ea8g[/youtube]