Capital Leagues Weekly Preview
Every week seems to throw up some great contests that will have a significant effect on the tables in each league.
Big match in Cap 1 as 3rd plays 2nd. Big match in Cap 2 as 2nd plays 3rd. Big matches in Cap 3 as 2nd plays 3rd and 4th plays 1st. Big match in Cap 4 as 3rd plays 4th.
CAPITAL LEAGUE 1
Match of the Round – Acacia Ridge v North Pine Ridge’s seven match winning run came to an end at Taringa’s hands on Sunday evening, going down 1-0. North Pine jumped over them into 2nd spot (although the Gorillas have played one more match) with a 10-2 pummelling of Moggill at Dakabin with three players notching hat-tricks. Both teams will be desperate to get a win in this one to keep in touch with the ladder leaders. First round was a 2-1 win to North Pine. Ridge will still be without suspended top scorer Juan Jaimes, so, with Pine’s attack firing, I will back them. Brisbane Knights v Taringa Rovers Knights missed their game on the weekend due to the weather event. The Rovers continued along at the top of the table with a slim 1-0 win over previously second placed Acacia Ridge in a hard fought match at Jack Speare Park. Taringa cruised to a comfortable 4-0 win in Round 1 but the Knights have been good on their day (especially in the FFA Cup!) so should not be taken lightly. Taringa’s defence is mean as, conceding only seven goals in eleven matches. Have to go with the Rovers based on that. North Star v Moggill Star returned to the winner’s circle, beating Mt Gravatt 3-1. Moggill’s season continues to slide after conceding ten to North Pine. Really can’t see any other result but a North Star win. Question is, by how many? Mt Gravatt v Wolves FC The Hawks have fallen away after a brief good spell of results and have now gone four games without a win. Wolves had the weekend off and will be rested for this one. Have to go with the boys from Carmichael Park. The Gap v UQ FC The Gap were also idle last weekend and will be looking forward to resuming play. UQ were washed out and have had momentum (two wins) halted. At The Bridge (or is it The Swamp I’ve heard both used?), the Gators to win. Southside Eagles v Bayside Utd Both teams were washouts last weekend. A battle of the “Eagles”. Who will have bragging rights? SSE score at two goals a game, Bayside score at one goal a game, therefore 2-1 to SSE is my selection.
CAPITAL LEAGUE 2
Match of the Round – Virginia Utd v Annerley 2nd v 3rd. Virginia came back from Strathpine with the win as did Annerley from Toowong. Both have potent attacks (over 30 goals each) and reasonable defences. So seems likely to be a tight affair. Virginia got up 3-2 previously after surrendering a two goal lead. They have bounced back from their first loss. Annerley also recovered from two recent losses, rebounding to win each time. Recent form (WLWLW) suggests they should record a loss this time. I tend to agree with that thought and tip Virginia to win. Brisbane Phoenix v Western Spirit Phoenix got out of jail with an 87th minute equaliser at Oxley. Spirit went down to a late Pine Hills goal. 5th v 6th and both have similar goals for and against tallies. All points to a draw doesn’t it? I don’t think so, Phoenix for me. New Farm Utd v Oxley Utd New Farm’s game was postponed due to weather. Oxley were held 2-2 by Brisbane Phoenix, conceding the equaliser late on. Both have a few draws to their name this season and drew in Round 1. I reckon this might be another one. Toowong v Centenary Stormers Toowong pushed Annerley but came up short while the Stormers were rained out. 7-1 to Centenary was the score line in the first round. I don’t think that will be repeated but I will still back the Stormers to win. Park Ridge v Pine Rivers Utd A battle of the cellar-dwellers. The Panthers should be looking at this match as a chance to get at least a point on the board. The Predators will want to get the win to move away from the bottom of the table. I’ll stick my neck out and say a draw. Pine Hills v Ipswich City Hills surprised by winning at Spirit, coming back from a goal down early on and getting a late winner. The Bulls have been effective in putting away the lower teams and should do so here again (although something is telling me a draw may be on).
CAPITAL LEAGUE 3
Match of the Round – Caboolture v Redcliffe PCYC The Snakes got revenge for their first round savaging by St George Willawong with a 4-1 victory. Redcliffe had to come back from a half time one goal deficit to overcome Jimboomba and are on a three match winning streak. But these wins have come against lower opposition, so this will test them. Caboolture will be fired up after the win over the Saints and will look to keep pressure on at the top. A bit of a local derby up North which Caboolture should win. AC Carina v St George Willawong Carina were washed out on Saturday. The Saints were beaten up at Caboolture. Last meeting of these two ended 2-1 to St George after Carina had taken an early lead. The Dolphins appear to be getting their act together with three clean sheets in their last four matches and will be a tough nut to crack. The Saints will want to turn things around straight away to maintain their lead at the top. My crystal ball tells me that AC Carina could make the Premiership race interesting. Bardon Latrobe v Slacks Creek Another team washed out (Bardon). Prior to that had won three on the trot. Slacks Creek travelled to Clairvaux and came away 4-0 winners. That’s two in a row for them. Only two points separate these teams on the ladder. A draw. Tarragindi Tigers v Westside The Tigers also fell foul of the weather. As did Westside, so both will be keen as mustard to get into this match. Tarragindi have disappointed this year while Westside have been hot and cold. So a toughie to predict – Westside I think. Jimboomba Utd v Narangba Utd Road Trip! The Jets had a half-time lead over Redcliffe but conceded three goals in the second half. No game at Narangba due to the rain. A long journey down to Kurrajong Park for the Eagles and I think it will be the same going home with nothing to show for it. Newmarket v Clairvaux Newmarket - another postponed match. Clairvaux were down four goals by half time against Slacks Creek and held it to that. That’s four losses in a row now for them. Newmarket’s better recent form suggests they will win.
CAPITAL LEAGUE 4
Match of the Round – Bethania Rams v Kangaroo Point Rovers It’s 3rd v 4th. The Rams did the business, as expected, over Logan Village while KPR got up in a tight game against The Lakes. Bethania have been a little bit unpredictable so far after a good start to the season. KPR are on a run of three wins and in good form. A game neither can afford to lose, although it seems as though the top teams will take points off each other all season in a very close competition. At home, I lean towards Bethania getting the win. Mooroondu v North Brisbane Mooroondu were surprise winners over Springfield while the same could be said for the Aces win over Samford. Was the Roos’ win a flash in the pan? Can North Brisbane go on with it? Have to say I think North Brisbane will get up. Logan Metro v Springfield Utd Metro had the Bye and come up against a Springfield side who may be a bit shocked at their loss to Mooroondu. Can Springfield rebound and find their early season form or are they pretenders? Metro to win. Samford Rangers v Logan Village Road Trip! Samford will be smarting after their first loss (to North Brisbane) and will be keen to atone for that. Village were beaten by Bethania and make the trek North. Can’t see them returning South with any points in the bag. The Lakes v BYE
