Capital Leagues Weekly Preview
For Capital Leagues 1-3, we’ve turned the corner on the season and are halfway down the back straight with the beginning of the second round. Some delicious games this week as top of the table clashes in Cap 1, Cap 3 and Cap 4 are there for our viewing pleasure.... So long as the predicted rain stays to a minimum. CAPITAL LEAGUE 1 Match of the Round – Taringa Rovers v Acacia Ridge 1st v 2nd. Rovers spanked Moggill 6-1 although the score line did flatter Taringa as Moggill let in three late goals. The game was in the balance until Rovers got their 3rd on 68 minutes. A late flurry in the last eight minutes blew the score line out. Ridge got up by a single goal at Bayside, with Juan Jaimes scoring in the 89th minute and they have now won seven in a row. These teams have met twice this season with Rovers winning 2-1 in the season opener and also getting up 4-1 in the FFA Cup. Ridge will be without top-scorer Juan Jaimes this week as he was sent off a minute after scoring. Has to be a Rovers win. Bayside Utd v Brisbane Knights Bayside lost to a late goal against Acacia Ridge while Knights were well beaten (3-0) by UQ FC. Bayside won the reverse fixture 2-1 at Rocklea. I said that the Eagles run hot and cold and this was proven again. Down at Don Randall Oval, Bayside will want to bounce back to keep in touch with the top four. The Knights had to back up after a midweek FFA Cup match and this may have affected them against UQ. They also need to recover form. I’ll back a draw in this one. Southside Eagles v UQ FC Both sides were 3-0 winners with Eagles’ win over The Gap perhaps more impressive. Maybe my nagging of Eagles is finally bearing fruit as they are now unbeaten in four matches? The Students have now won two in a row. Eagles to get up for me. North Pine v Moggill The Gorillas gave Mt Gravatt a 5-1 touch up with leading scorer, Shuto Kuboyama, adding another two goals to his tally. Moggill were in the game against Taringa until a late capitulation led to a 6-1 score line. Can’t go past North Pine. North Star v Mt Gravatt North Star suffered a narrow loss to Wolves. Mt Gravatt were well beaten by North Pine. First time around, the Zillmere boys got up 4-1, but now have not won in seven games. The Hawks have not won in three following a three match winning run. I’ll go for a draw.
CAPITAL LEAGUE 2 Match of the Round – Centenary Stormers v New Farm Utd Centenary extended their winning run to seven matches. But Oxley gave them a run for their money with all Stormers’ goals coming in the last fifteen minutes. New Farm provided the upset of the round with a last gasp 3-2 win over Annerley at Elder Oval. Centenary won the first round match 5-0 at the Park but I don’t see this one repeating that score line. On paper, one should back the Stormers but New Farm’s draw specialist status needs considering. Having considered that and the Farm’s defensive record, I have to pick Centenary at home. Annerley v Toowong Annerley came unstuck at home to New Farm conceding the winning goal at the death after being 2-1 up midway through the second half. As I have previously said, Toowong are finding their feet at this level and disposed of Pine Rivers Utd to the tune of 4-0. First up this match ended 3-2 to Annerley with Toowong surrendering the two goal lead they had at half-time. Annerley have been guilty of second half lapses in recent weeks and need to correct that. Another tough one to predict and I’ll say a draw. Oxley Utd v Brisbane Phoenix Oxley held their own against Centenary, succumbing in the last fifteen minutes. Phoenix got up 4-1 over Pine Hills but only got their fourth in added time. Despite Oxley’s recent upswing, I think Phoenix will have the goods to win here. Western Spirit v Pine Hills Spirit disposed of Park Ridge to the tune of 5-1. The Pythons were in the game at Phoenix but couldn’t get anything from it. Spirit won the first encounter 2-1 but only with an added time goal after Hills scored first. I don’t think it will be as close this time around. Spirit. Ipswich City v Park Ridge 11-1 to the Ipswich City was the score when they met at the beginning of the season. Nothing that has happened since then would indicate anything too different. The Bulls score an average four goals a game while Ridge concede five per game. Bulls to win. Pine Rivers Utd v Virginia Utd Rivers were well beaten by Toowong conceding two goals each half. Virginia recovered from their first loss to see off Ipswich City away. Sorry Predators, but I can only see one outcome in this game and that is a Virginia win.
CAPITAL LEAGUE 3 Match of the Round – Caboolture v St George Willawong 2nd v 1st. Caboolture, on the back of only their second loss of the season (0-1 to AC Carina), now face their old enemy St George Willawong and I am sure Snakes’ coach Nathan Walker will be reminding them of the 7-1 spanking they received in the season opener. The Saints made hard work of the win over Jimboomba. They were going strong with an early two goal lead but the Jets fought back to draw level on 81 minutes only to concede two minutes later and go down 3-2. Caboolture need to win to reduce the eight point deficit or the title may be out of reach. I’ll tip the Snakes. Westside v AC Carina Westside appear to have lost their way and suffered a third straight loss (against Bardon). They still sit 5th on the ladder though. Carina came up trumps over Caboolture with a first half Daniel Abbey goal seeing them home. The Dolphins are 3rd after three wins in their last four and are only a point behind the Snakes, having played an extra match. Can Westside regroup and find their early season form? Can Carina continue to challenge at the top? Decisions, decisions – AC Carina to keep the pressure on at the top. Bardon Latrobe v Tarragindi Tigers Both last start winners. Bardon are building some momentum which has seen them rise to 4th after a good win over Westside. The Tigers surprised me by coming away from Clairvaux with a 3-0 win. I’ll back Bardon to continue their good form. Clairvaux v Slacks Creek First up was a 2-2 result, with Clairvaux marginally the better side on the night. Clairvaux are a last start loser so need to rebound. The Tigers match at Narangba was postponed. Both have slipped down the ladder after recent results. History to repeat – a draw. Narangba Utd v Newmarket Narangba’s game on the weekend was postponed which would have disappointed them after getting their first win. Newmarket fell in a hole at Redcliffe after showing good recent form. I think they (Newmarket) will bounce back and get the win. Redcliffe PCYC v Jimboomba Utd Redcliffe were big (5-1) winners over Newmarket while Jimboomba made St George work for everything at Willawong on Sunday night. In spite of that, I will back the Dolphins to get the points here on another long trip for the Jets.
CAPITAL LEAGUE 4 Match of the Round – North Brisbane v Samford Rangers 2nd v 1st again after last week's version which saw Rangers inflict Springfield’s first loss up at the Parklands, but not before being two down after 18 minutes and then recovering to score three goals in seven minutes and lead 3-2 at the half. They went on with it in the 2nd half to run out 6-3 winners. The Aces rebounded from their first loss to come away from Bethania with the points after a 2-0 win with a goal in each half, the clincher coming with three minutes left. Samford now have a four point lead at the top although the next two teams have a game in hand (but against each other!). Samford should get up but it won’t be easy at Prentice Park. Kangaroo Point Rovers v The Lakes Rovers overcome a stubborn Logan Village. They led 1-0 at half-time and were only two up with ten minutes left. Two late goals made the win look better. The Lakes drew 2-2 with Logan Metro. Should be an even contest but I’ll tip KPR. Logan Village v Bethania Rams Logan Village put in a good effort against KPR but were still on the losing end of a 4-0 score line. The Rams were favoured to win at home against North Brisbane but went down 2-0. The Falcons are back at home but I still think the Rams will win. Springfield Utd v Mooroondu Springfield lost their 100% record but not before giving Samford a fright, going two up early in the half. Mooroondu had the weekend off with the Bye. It really has to be Springfield as the winners. Logan Metro v BYE
