Final countdown for region's top two

The region’s top two teams are preparing for a Sunday semi-final showdown - with the prize a place in the state’s grand final.

Moreton City Excelsior (MCE) – formed by last year’s merger of Moreton Bay United and Albany Creek Excelsior – face Peninsula Power at Wolter Park (7pm).

MCE finished second on the ladder for a second successive season, while Power won its last nine games to climb into third.

Both sides had tight defences – Power only conceded 25, MCE 26 – but the latter had two of the competition’s leading goalscorers.

Marquez Walters was second with 21 goals and Zac Kierpal third on 15, both behind Golden Boot winner Luke Francis of Wynnum with 23.

MCE has also reached the Kappa Cup final this season, going down to Lions, but was in the Australia Cup Round of 16 on Wednesday.

They beat Perth Glory 3-2, founding members of the A-League, in a tight tussle at Perry Park, earning plenty of plaudits for their first competitive fixture against national opposition. There were MCE goals to Marquez Walters, Ben Holliday and Joe Scott.

Premiers Gold Coast Knights or fourth-placed Lions await the winners in the NPL Qld Grand Final at Suncorp Stadium on September 7.

MCE reached the final 12 months ago, losing to 1-0 to Knights, but completed the Premiership and Grand Final double as Moreton Bay United in 2015.

Power has twice won the NPL Qld Premiership but has yet to land the Grand Final.

The Moreton Bay showdown is one of three at Wolter Park on Sunday with MCE’s NPL Qld Under 23 men hosting Gold Coast Knights in their semi-final at 4pm.

MCE finished second, just behind premiers Brisbane Roar, with Knights finishing13 points further back in third.

Starting the day will be MCE’s FQPL1 Under 23 Men, the division’s premiers, against Southside Eagles, who finished fourth. Kick-off 1pm

MCE won their first encounter this season and Eagles the return, however MCE finished14 points ahead of Sunday’s visitors on the ladder.