Westfield FFA Cup Brisbane Zone Preliminary RD6 Preview
There’s just two rounds separating the sides left in the competition from the National Round of 32.
After the recent draw which included RD7, we will definitely see one Flight Centre Premier League side progress to the Round of 32 from either Grange Thistle, Rochedale Rovers, Peninsula Power or Logan Lightning, all of which have never reached that stage of the cup previously.
But lets look at RD6 which begins this week and we've been joined by current Flight Centre Premier League leaders Eastern Suburbs coach Steve Glockner who gives us his take on the ties coming up.
© Photo: Patrick Leigh - @patrickleighperspectives
Holland Park Hawks vs Moreton Bay United Tuesday 23 May - 7:00pm at Whites Hill Reserve LIVE STREAMED on Facebook It’s the only Flight Centre Premier League v PS4 NPL clash of the round as Anth Smith’s Holland Park Hawks face Adam Piddick’s Moreton Bay United. United dumped out sister club Albany Creek in the last round with a narrow 2-1 win. A trip on the road for them, as last round was on familiar home soil, to Whites Hill Reserve could pose a greater challenge with Hawks capable of beating anyone on their day and eager to reach the national stage. It’s difficult to say what impact the departure of Dan Smith will have on the side but going by their recent 7-3 league win at Capalaba, they may not be missing him as much as many would expect and with the likes of work horses such as Luke Carr and Andrew MacAskill in their line-up, United will not be taking this tie lightly. A good home crowd and the Whites Hill Reserve pitch will also benefit Holland Park so expect this one to go down to the wire. Prediction: Holland Park to nick it in extra time 3-2. Steve says:
Hawks are a difficult proposition at home and make the most of their Whites Hill advantage.I rate Andrew Macaskill highly and his influence will be needed to break down a Jets defence that doesn't concede a lot of goals. Moreton Bay's Riley Campbell has scored 10 goals so far this year and the Hawks will need to watch him closely.
With Byrne at the back, Capello, Cushieri and Janovsky on the park, the Jets have a lot of quality which might just see them home. Prediction: Tough call but the Jets to win 3-2. Grange Thistle v Rochedale Rovers Tuesday 23 May - 7:00pm at Lanham Park Rochedale Rovers became the first side in Westfield FFA Cup history to dump out Brisbane Strikers in the preliminary rounds after a dominant 3-1 win in RD5. This time they face a different prospect when travelling to fellow Flight Centre Premier League side Grange Thistle who edged past Capital League 1 side Southside Eagles in the last round. With Rovers battling for the premiership and Thistle without a league win and facing relegation, form would have to suggest that Rovers will progress comfortably into RD7, but this is cup football and as we know, anything can happen. Scott MacNicol will undoubtedly prepare his side in the same way as he did for the Strikers game and a good start such as the one they had against Striker will likely see Rovers advance, but should Thistle still be in the hunt at half time, Rovers may get the jitters. Thistle will need to be at their best though and in all fairness, it’s difficult seeing them getting a result here. Prediction: Rovers to head one step closer to that Round of 32 spot with a 3-0 win. Steve says:
Playing at home will certainly give Grange a lift, they were very good against us recently and fully deserved their point in our game. Looking at the table you might think it will be straight forward for Rochedale but they will need to play well as our competition is delivering surprising score lines each week. Rochedale's form in front of goal is very impressive though, they have scored some absolute stunners of late and Shizuno is in wonderful form right now.
Goals change games and I think Rochedale will find them easier to come by. Prediction: Rochedale win 3-1 Peninsula Power v Logan FC Tuesday 30 May - 7:00pm at Lanham Park LIVE STREAMED on Facebook Peninsula Power put an end to giant killers Brisbane Knights in the last round and have enjoyed an improvement in league form of late until their most recent game where Lions FC defeated them 3-0. Logan FC caused an upset in the last round when they dumped Brisbane City out of the cup on their own turf in a 2-1 success with just 10 men, but a recent drumming in the league at Eastern Suburbs saw their defence torn apart. They’ll need to put that to bed when they face Power next Tuesday night as like Power, a spot in the Round of 32 isn’t far away. Power will be without cup tied Dan Smith whilst new Logan recruit Andy Butler will be eligible to play as he had not featured for Ipswich Knights in the Westfield FFA Cup this season. He could provide some valuable cup experience to Lightning. It’s perhaps the tougher of the games to assess and both sides can perform well on their day whilst also having a tendency to be inconsistent. Prediction: With home advantage though and their superb new surface, Power should edge a close encounter. Power 2-1. Steve says:
I watched Logan play Brisbane City recently and thought their performance was outstanding taking into account they played with 10 men for over an hour. Logan forward Ngwese Ebangwese was just too much for the City defence to handle and will be crucial to a Logan victory. Power are full of quality players and a very difficult team to play at home. They maybe haven't delivered as expected so far this year with the squad they have but in saying that they are one win off the top of Flight Centre Premier League table so ominous signs ahead.
Logan will need to get their best players on the park, will Ebangwese recover from injury in time? Power certainly have the bigger squad to get the win.
Logan are the perfect team to go on a good Cup run but my head says Power. Prediciton: Power to win 3-1 Redlands United v Olympic FC Wednesday 31 May - 7:00pm at Cleveland Showgrounds LIVE STREAMED on Facebook Everyone of course remembers the classic ‘Magic of the Cup’ tale from last year when Redlands United came from behind to defeat A-League Premiers Adelaide United, but in order to once again head to the national stages of the competition, they must first see off fellow PS4 NPL side Olympic FC at Cleveland Showgrounds. On the form book, you’d have to say Olympic will enter this game as favourites but much hinges on the return of key personnel from injury. Redlands are different side to the one that conquered Adelaide last year and their league form is simply disappointing with just one win from eleven outings and that coming against fellow strugglers SWQ Thunder. The two met in the league earlier in the season with Olympic convincing 6-2 winners that day. The scoreline may well be closer than that this time round but the visitors should prevail. Prediction: Olympic to take it out in a 3-0 win. Steve says:
Injuries again to play a part here. Olympic seem to be in a bit of trouble with so many key players unavailable. If Matt Heath plays they will score, he is having an fantastic season in front of goals. Having Costa Psaros back from injury will strengthen Olympic’s attack also. Redlands are having a difficult season with many new players in their team.
They have conceded about the same amount of goals that Olympic have scored so unless injuries even the odds... Prediction: Olympic to win 4-1
