Capital Leagues Weekly Preview
Even though this is a catch-up weekend, we nearly have a full book of matches to consider with top four clashes in both Capital 1 and Capital 2. CAPITAL LEAGUE 1 Match of the Round – Brisbane Knights v Acacia Ridge The Knights have had good results against two of the top teams in recent weeks (2-2 with Taringa followed by a 3-1 win at North Pine) and now sit 4th. They face current 2nd placed Acacia Ridge in a local derby out South-West way this weekend. Knights were a comfortable three goals up at the half at Dakabin and coasted home. Ridge had to work hard for a 1-0 win over North Star at Zillmere. Knights’ defence has conceded 31 goals – 2nd worst in the league! But this has been offset by their goals for tally, although they have a -4 Goal Difference. Ridge have the 2nd meanest defence giving up only 11 goals in 12 matches. Have a feeling this will be tight and end up in a draw. Wolves FC v Taringa Rovers After languishing in the lower regions of a congested table, Wolves have won three in a row to move up to 6th spot with games in hand. Rovers secured a 2-0 win over Southside Eagles to extend their lead at the top to seven points. This match will be a pointer as to whether Wolves are serious challengers for a top four position. It will also be a test for Taringa who will need to be wary of a resurgent Wolves team. Two of Rovers’ top three scorers were on target last week and they will be looking for a repeat of that form. On paper, Rovers should be too good, but on paper is not where games are won. However, I’ll still back Taringa. Bayside Utd v North Pine Bayside scored in the 3rd minute of added time to equalise and get away with a 3-3 draw at home to The Gap. The Gorillas were beaten by Brisbane Knights at Bob Brock Park. Both sides need a win to regain lost positioning on the ladder. I think North Pine will bounce back to win. UQ FC v North Star The Students went down to Wolves while North Star were beaten by a single goal at home to Acacia Ridge That ended a three match winning streak for Star. UQ will be desperate to get a win to keep top four hopes alive and I think they will keep the points at St Lucia. The Gap v Mt Gravatt The Gators will be annoyed at conceding a last gasp equaliser at Bayside. Mt Gravatt did what was required over Moggill which moved them just above The Gap in the ladder. The Gap at home should be to strong for the Hawks. Southside Eagles v Moggill Eagles went down to top side Taringa while Moggill suffered another loss at Mt Gravatt which makes thirteen on end. Eagles can still figure in finals reckoning in a tight table and have to win this one and they will.
CAPITAL LEAGUE 2 Match of the Round – Ipswich City v Annerley Ipswich City showed they were not just “flat track bullies” by knocking over Brisbane Phoenix 2-1, although they would have been nervous with Phoenix cutting the lead to one on 89 minutes. The Bulls need to back that effort up to remain as serious contenders. Annerley did the job over Park Ridge with a big 9-0 win with James Gorrie getting five of them. The Bulls are the league’s leading scorers with three players in double figures, so have the firepower. Gorrie has 18 goals for the Stars so it could be a shootout. At home, I will lean towards City for the win. Brisbane Phoenix v New Farm Utd Both were single goal losers last weekend. Phoenix lost by the odd goal in three to Ipswich City, while Toowong scored the only goal of the game just before half-time to beat New Farm. It is another must-win game for both to keep in touch with the top four or otherwise it may be too big of a gap to bridge. Phoenix for me. Pine Hills v Toowong The Pythons continued their good recent form with a win at Pine Rivers. Toowong had a good win at New Farm to edge up the ladder. A Hills win would put them in touching distance of both Toowong and Oxley and move them further away from the bottom two. Toowong may just shade it. Park Ridge v Virginia Utd The Panthers were on the end of another hammering against Annerley at Elder Oval. Virginia came back from Atthows Park with nothing to show for the trip after a 3-0 loss to Centenary. Virginia will be hungry to get back on the winners track and should do so comfortably here.
CAPITAL LEAGUE 3 Match of the Round – Caboolture v Slacks Creek The Snakes got up in a close match against Narangba and have St George Willawong in their sights. The Tigers won the “Derby” at Tarragindi and are eyeing off fourth spot. A Caboolture win will put them level with the Saints who are not playing this weekend. (A seven goal win would put them 1st on Goal Difference). Slacks Creek will need to be at their best to gather any points up North and I am sure would be happy with a draw. I can’t see that happening, the Snakes to win. AC Carina v Tarragindi Tigers Carina accounted for Redcliffe in the “Dolphins” Derby with Daniel Abbey notching four of their five goals in spite of being a man down for over 50 minutes. Tarragindi were the “Tigers” Derby losers at home to Slacks Creek. Carina still have hopes of catching the top two but need to string wins together and I think they will continue with a win in this match. Redcliffe PCYC v Clairvaux PCYC were beaten by AC Carina in a high scoring match with Carina playing the last 53 minutes with ten men. Clairvaux made it two wins in a row, disposing of Jimboomba 5-2. Both are still in with a chance of semi-final football. But I have to go with PCYC to take the points. Westside v Narangba Utd Westside have had two matches against the top team (St George) and are undefeated in those matches after fighting out a 3-3 draw with them. Narangba made a game of it against 2nd place Caboolture, going down 2-1. Westside sit just outside the top four and need to win. Narangba have shown some decent form lately and can’t be taken lightly. Westside should do the business. Jimboomba Utd v Newmarket The Jets sit bottom of the table (on Goal Difference) after a loss to Clairvaux and don’t look like getting away from there. Newmarket were in the game against Bardon until the half, going in down by a single goal. But the wheels fell off in the second half. I’ll be nice to both and predict a draw.
CAPITAL LEAGUE 4 Match of the Round – Kangaroo Point Rovers v Logan Metro KPR got a great result returning from Samford with a point after a 1-1 draw. They would have been hoping for more after an early goal gave them a half-time lead. Metro gave up a two goal lead early in the second half against North Brisbane and the match could have gone either way late on with both sides having chances to win it. Fourth spot is on the line here and Metro might find Raymond Park a little rough for their liking as they play a fast paced passing game. I’ll back Rovers to win. North Brisbane v Springfield Utd The Aces recovered from a two goal deficit just after half-time to end up with a 2-2 draw at Logan Metro. Springfield have faltered after a bright start to the season and are slipping down the table. It seems a long way from winning their first three matches. North Brisbane have more to play for and will win. Bethania Rams v Mooroondu Bethania got out of jail in the last fifteen minutes at The Lakes, scoring four goals from 2-0 down. The win puts them one point behind top spot. Mooroondu appeared to have turned the corner with their win over Springfield but, after the loss to Logan Village, are only off the bottom on Goal Difference. The Rams to get up.
