Second Loss Of Season Puts Promotion On Hold
Virginia Utd 0 Tarragindo Tigers 1 (Burchell 48')
HT 0-0
Played at Albert Bishop Park
It was a case of the jitters as Virginia United faltered in their bid for both promotion and the Capital League 3 premiership at Albert Bishop Park on Saturday evening, succumbing to just their second defeat of the season to Tarragindi Tigers. Craig Burchell's strike early in the second half was enough to hand the visitors all three points as they kept the pressure up on their opponents and fellow promotion chasers Toowong; ensuring the division will need the final round next weekend to decide which of the three will go up. A scrappy and forgettable first half was soon replaced by a more entertaining contest when Burchell finished from inside the box, powering his shot across Virginia keeper Chris Couesnon and into the back of the net shortly after the restart. The visitors had looked the more likely to score up to that point but the goal seemed to shake United into action as they finally begun to play the kind of football that's seen them dominate Capital League 3 throughout the season. But for all their efforts, they were unable to punch through a resolute Tigers' defence despite some late attempts that nearly saw them level up the game, striking the upright late on and also seeing lively striker Zaur Ismailov go desperately close at the death. A win would have secured Virginia both promotion and the premiership trophy which was on hand to be presented at the end of the game. Instead, they must now sweat it out for another week, although they will be favourites to claim the title when they head to Bardon Latrobe on the final day of the regular season, and with Bardon themselves looking safe from the drop. In fact the last time Tarragindi tasted defeat was to Virginia in round 10, so this success came as a touch of revenge as they successfully put the title on hold whilst giving themsleves a chance of going up, although they will be hoping AC Carina can do them a favour when they face rivals Toowong on Sunday afternoon. Team line-ups Virginia Utd: Couesnon (gk), Pitt, Nicolaidis, Medhurst, Murphy, Kehoe, Milne, Geddes, Herbeck, Ismailov. Subs: Riggall (rgk), Passaris, Cordery, Toren, Puddefoot.
Tarraginidi Tigers: Weaver (gk), Wilkins, Smith, Dewar, Gorrie, Walker, Hustwayte, Jimenez, Molloy, Burchell, Walker. Subs: Darvill (rgk), Eldred, Wall, Van Stryp, Swatton.
Referee: Nathan Scott
