Pig'N'Whistle Canale Cup RD3 Preview
The remaining six ties have all been rescheduled after being hit by last week's wet weather, but conditions should be good now to get the round completed, starting with four games this evening.
The sides through to the RD4 draw are:
Capalaba (FCPL)
Ipswich Knights (FCPL)
Oxley United (CL2)
Caboolture Sports FC (CL3)
Lions FC
Acacia Ridge (CL1)
North Brisbane (CL4) v Bayside Utd (CL1) 7.00pm - Tue 20 Jun at Prentice Park. Capital League 4 league leaders North Brisbane welcome Bayside United to Prentice Park on Tuesday night for a place in the Round 4 draw. It will be an interesting test for the Aces who have been somewhat of a surprise package in this competition, having accounted for a Capital League 1 side already in Moggill, as well as Capital League 2 high flyers Virginia United in a penalty shootout. This one though could perhaps be a touch beyond them with Bayside having only lost once is their last five league games. North Brisbane at home will give them a slight advantage so it could be closer than many think. Prediction: Aces to bow out with a 3-1 win for Bayside.
Toowong (CL2) v North Pine (CL1) 7.30pm - Tue 20 Jun at Dunmore Park. This is the opening round for both teams in this competition. On the form book you would have to expect North Pine to take this one out but lengthy mid-week trips can always prove tricky and with Toowong’s tight pitch to deal with, it might prove to be a tight contest. That said, Toowong’s league form has been inconsistent with them having struggled against the higher placed teams in recent weeks except for a couple of narrow 1-0 successes. Their better victories coming against the bottom sides. The Gorrillas should take this one out at a canter and move onto Round 4. Prediction: North Pine 4-1 Eastern Suburbs (FCPL) v The Gap (CL1) 7.30pm - Tue 20 Jun at Heath Park. It will be interesting to see if Easts field a full strength side for the visit of Capital League 1’s The Gap. Steve Glockner’s side may use this game as a solid run out for the Flight Centre Premier League leaders as they go in search for a league and cup double. Gap have impressed since being promoted to Capital League 1 but a trip to Heath Park poses a whole new level of challenge for them and after their latest league outing was postponed, they should be fit and raring to go. Their only hope of a result of any kind will be if the hosts field a largely reserve team line-up. Prediction: If it’s Easts first team line-up on the night it should head the host's way. 3-0 Easts.
Park Ridge (CL2) v Taringa Rovers (CL1) 7.30pm - Tue 20 Jun at Hubner Park. There’s no doubting that only one result can be expected from this encounter with Capital League 1 leaders Taringa Rovers facing Capital League 2 basement dwellers Park Ridge. Ridge’s only successes in 2017 have come over Capital League 4 opposition. A 2-0 win over Bethania Rams in RD2 of the Pig N Whistle Canale Cup seeing them through to this clash. It stands to reason that Rovers, having just one defeat in the league this season, should comfortably progress to Round 4. The question is more likely to be by how much. Prediction: Rovers to cruise to a 7-0 success.
Brisbane Phoenix (CL2) v Westside Grovely (CL3) 7.30pm - Mon 21 Jun at CJ Greenfield Reserve. Brisbane Phoenix face Capital League 3 outfit Westside Grovely in what could be a scrap of an enounter. Phoenix have struggled of late with just two wins from their last six league outings of which their latest success coming against struggling Pine Rivers. Home advantage should help them here but Westside will give this one their best effort and on their day can pose a threat to many a Capital League’s outfit. Perhaps of any of the six ties this week, this one has the greatest potential to go to extra time and penalties. Much depends on which Westside team turns up on the night. Prediction: Westside to take this one to extra time but miss out with a late 3-2 win to the hosts.
St George Willawong (CL3) v Mitchelton (FCPL) 7.30pm - Tue 27 Jun at St George's Park. Based on form, current Canale Cup holder’s Mitchelton shouldn’t find this hurdle difficult to overcome. But, and it is a big but, St George’s Park is a tight field and with the Saints playing for the badge week in, week out, don’t expect the Capital League 3 league leaders to give any quarter. The Mustangs suffered a surprise home loss struggling Ipswich Knights in the league last Friday, so coach Leo Sirianni will no doubt use this game to give his side a rev up. They will also be without striker Ben Njie who was sent-off against Knights. Prediction: Mitchelton to over run Saints 4-1.
