Capital Leagues Weekly Preview
Capital 1 is a very intriguing competition with three points separating 4th and 11th so every match counts. Capital 2 has the biggest game of the weekend with 1st v 2nd. Capital 3 has four of the top six facing off, while Capital 4 sees 4th against 2nd to try and keep in touch with the top.
CAPITAL LEAGUE 1
Match of the Round – Bayside Utd v The Gap Both have aspirations for the top four and the tightness of the competition means a loss to either team could drop them towards the bottom of the ladder depending on other results. Bayside are fresh from a 4-2 win over Southside Eagles on Sunday. They finally found their shooting boots, netting four goals in the last ten minutes from 0-2 down. The Gap, meanwhile, had a 3-3 draw with UQ FC, coming back from two down courtesy of some goalkeeping errors. So, both were involved in high scoring affairs. All points to a 0-0 draw doesn’t it? Can’t see that happening. Have a feeling the Gators might take this one out. North Pine v Brisbane Knights Both had draws against top class opposition over the weekend. The Gorillas fought out a scoreless result against third-placed Acacia Ridge. The Knights came back from two down against leaders Taringa and, from reports, were unlucky not to win. The Knights won the first round match 4-3 at Rocklea in what was considered an upset at the time. I don’t think there will be a repeat of that result as I expect North Pine to keep all three points home at Dakabin. North Star v Acacia Ridge North Star have replicated their first two match results at the beginning of the season with two wins. This match was where they fell apart last time around. Acacia Ridge have gone two matches without scoring so need to fix that. Ridge to win for me. Taringa Rovers v Southside Eagles Rovers were reportedly lucky to get away from Rocklea with a point. Eagles had a two goal lead with ten minutes left against Bayside, only to let in four. A draw at Bulimba last time but, back at Jack Speare Park, I think that the Rovers will return to winning ways. UQ FC v Wolves FC The Students had a 3-3 draw with The Gap, giving up a two goal lead and conceding some poor goals. Wolves easily disposed of Mt Gravatt. Wolves have won their last two while UQ are unbeaten in three. UQ won the first encounter but I think Wolves will balance the ledger this time around. Mt Gravatt v Moggill The Hawks have now not won in five matches after losing to Wolves. Moggill continued their poor season with an 8-2 loss to North Star. Have to go with the Hawks to break their run of outs.
CAPITAL LEAGUE 2
Match of the Round – Centenary Stormers v Virginia Utd
(FBTV Highlights game) It’s the biggest game of the weekend across all the Capital Leagues. Both teams had comfortable 3-0 wins last weekend. Virginia disposed of Annerley while the Stormers beat Toowong. Last time these two met, Virginia inflicted Centenary’s only loss in a 5-1 victory at Albert Bishop Park, scoring three goals in the last fifteen minutes. The Stormers will be out to exact revenge for this as well as being motivated with the thought that a win will give them more breathing space at the top, having won their catch up match on Tuesday night over New Farm. Virginia know they can beat the Stormers and will be out for a repeat. Can’t split them – a draw. Ipswich City v Brisbane Phoenix City scraped home against lowly Pine Hills conceding the first goal and then getting a late winner. Phoenix came back from two down with five minutes left to salvage a 4-4 draw with Spirit, getting the equaliser in added time. As Force, they beat the Bulls 4-3 first time around after nearly giving up a three goal lead. City need to show they can mix it with the top end of town while Phoenix need to turn draws into wins to keep in touch with the top four. Have a feeling the Bulls might get up. Western Spirit v Oxley Utd Spirit surrendered a two goal lead late in the game to draw with Phoenix and will be disappointed with that. Oxley also let a lead evaporate after leading at half time to go down at New Farm. Spirit should do the business. New Farm Utd v Toowong
(FBTV Highlights game) New Farm edged a tight match against Oxley which keeps them in sight of the top four. Toowong went down to Centenary but not without a fight. Last time was a draw but, at home at the Park, I think New Farm may just edge another tight one. Annerley v Park Ridge Annerley were comfortably beaten by Virginia. Park Ridge will probably have celebrated their first point of the season (as predicted by me) and nearly had the win but for a late goal conceded. However, Annerley should be too good here. Pine Rivers Utd v Pine Hills Rivers salvaged a point with an 89th minute goal against Park Ridge. The Pythons gave Ipswich City a scare and nearly held on for the draw. A “Pine” derby which I think will find the spoils shared.
CAPITAL LEAGUE 3
Match of the Round – Redcliffe PCYC v AC Carina Dolphins Derby. Both were last start losers to the top two. Carina were not disgraced in going down by two goals to St George with both coming in the last five minutes. Redcliffe also made Caboolture work for the win, only being a goal down until the last fifteen minutes before conceding two more. PCYC won at the Abruzzo Club last time around and will be confident of a similar result at Talobilla Park. But the Sam Saif influence at Carina (son Liam is their coach) makes them tough to beat. I’ll back the draw. St George Willawong v Westside The Saints passed the test against Carina but not without some consternation. Westside overcame Tarragindi to stop a three match losing streak. St George will be out to exact revenge for their first round loss at Grovely. Westside will want to do the double to maintain their challenge. Ross Peach found his scoring boots last weekend after a slow period and will need to produce. The Saints top scorers David Grecl and Nikola Kataric have also been off the boil lately so need to find the net. Saints to win. Bardon Latrobe v Newmarket Bardon had a big win (6-1) over Slacks Creek and are 3rd highest scorers in this league (however they concede too many, 2nd worst defence!). Newmarket have flattered to deceive. A slow start, then a burst of form and now three losses out of four. Bardon it is. Caboolture v Narangba Utd No Road Trip! These near neighbours to meet up north. The Snakes beat Redcliffe (another derby of sorts) while Narangba climbed off the bottom, overcoming Jimboomba after the long trip south. Got to back Caboolture here. Tarragindi Tigers v Slacks Creek The Tigers (from Tarragindi) were beaten again (by Westside) and are a shadow of the team from the past couple of seasons. The Tigers (from Slacks Creek) went down by five (against Bardon). Hard one to tip. Creek won the first encounter and I will go with them. Clairvaux v Jimboomba Utd Clairvaux stopped a four match losing streak with a surprise win late (88th minute) over Newmarket. The Jets now sit last after a home loss to Narangba. Can’t see Jimboomba getting a result at the College. CAPITAL LEAGUE 4
Match of the Round – Logan Metro v North Brisbane 2nd v 4th in a match that neither can really afford to lose. The Aces have a match in hand over Samford, so a win there plus in this one could put them top of the ladder. They gave Mooroondu a touch up last Friday night. Metro have been a little disappointing given the pre-season talk and need to get back on track. Last week’s win over Springfield may be the start of that. While they sit 4th, teams immediately below them have a game in hand on them, so a result in this game is vital. North Brisbane to take the points. Samford Rangers v Kangaroo Point Rovers Rangers thrashed Logan Village (although they conceded three goals!). KPR were beaten by Bethania in a close match at Opperman Park to end their winning run. Up at the Parklands, I expect Samford to come out on top. The Lakes v Bethania Rams The Lakes come off the Bye while Bethania edged a close one over KPR after conceding first. Bit of a trip for the Rams up north and this should be a close match. Bethania should be too good. Mooroondu v Logan Village The bottom two both suffered sizeable defeats last time out. Mooroondu would be disappointed with their showing after their first win the previous week. Village had seemed to be a little tougher to beat prior to that. The Roos to beat the Falcons. Springfield Utd v BYE
