Elaine Watson Cup Quarter Final Preview
We all love a cup, and the Elaine Watson Cup is no different - we are reaching the pointy end of things and there is still some intriguing football left to be played. With seven of the current Mount Franklin Brisbane Premier League teams still in with a chance of winning silverware - anything could happen! Capalaba vs Peninsula Power - Tues 12 July 7.30pm A all premier league clash at John Federicks Park will be a no holds barred affair for two teams who are fighting for pride. Capalaba seem to have the measure of Power, having beaten them twice in the league. With top four seemingly out of reach for Capalaba, they may be putting all their eggs in their cup basket and hoping to reach the final. Power need to work out what is most important to them - top four or cup? I have a feeling that Coach Whitfield will be wanting both. Tip: Expect a tight match that could go to penalties with Power to finally win Key players: Capalaba and Power will both be relying on experience so expect Watt and Latham to play big parts.
Mitchelton vs Moggill - Tues 12 July 7.30pm Moggill will have been shaking their heads when they heard they drew Premier League heavyweights Mitchelton out of the barrel - but, they have nothing to lose. Moggill have come up the leagues in impressive fashion but a run of poor form may have an effect on this clash. Mitchelton have to be favourites for the league and cup double but with a tight run of games in the league will have to manage their squad well. I fear for Moggill as both the Mitchelton premier and reserve team and in the top four of their respective leagues so there will be no real "B" team to play. Tip: Mitchelton should win with ease Key players: Moggill rely heavily on Darcie Wilson but will need the whole team to chip in, whereas if Brodie and O'Grady lead the line for the Mustangs I hope the Moggill keeper has magnets in her gloves.
Olympic FC vs Logan Lightning - Weds 13 July 7.30pm Olympic caused an upset by knocking out speedy Pine Hills and will be hoping their strong recent league form will help them here. Playing Logan is never an easy affair but with a recent dip in form and fortune, seemingly they are not the power they once were. This will be another tight affair and one that will be too close to call. Will Logan be relying on Petterwood? Will the impressive Olympic show up? So many questions, with probably not many answers. Tip: Penalties with a Logan win Key players: As mentioned, Logan will be relying on their front line to bang in a couple of goals early while Olympic will need to rely on that team spirit which drives them. UQ FC vs Annerley FC - Tues 19 July 7.30pm UQ FC seem to have pulled themselves up by the bootstraps and despite not getting the results, have been playing well and enjoying their football. Will this be enough to see off Annerley? I'm not sure. Annerley will be another of those teams that need to manage their squad careful in the run in for the league but I expect the Blues to win this one with ease. Being Cup specialists and all. Tip: Annerley Key players: The usual suspects from Annerley including the impressive Blue and Smith, while UQ will need their strikeforce of Marguerite De Roquefeuil and Sarah-Jane Baxto to be effective on the day.
So leading into the semi-finals I would expect Mitchelton to play Logan and Annerley to play Power. I'd be putting my money on a Mitchelton vs Annerley final people, get on it.
