Capital Leagues Weekly Preview
There were a number of interesting results on the weekend that caused ripples of excitement through the leagues.
In Capital League 1, Wolves win over leaders Taringa has left the door ajar for North Pine. This week’s clash between the top two now has a greater importance. In Capital League 2, Annerley got up over Ipswich City to end the Bulls’ premiership chances. In Capital League 3, Slacks Creek had a great win over Caboolture, which leaves the Snakes’ premiership hopes hanging by a thread. In Capital League 4, North Brisbane returned to top spot but with Samford Rangers and Bethania Rams close behind. CAPITAL LEAGUE 1
Match of the Round – Taringa Rovers v North Pine I said last week “Taringa Rovers have their eyes on the prize needing, at the moment, only eight more points to secure the Premiership”. After their loss to Wolves, the situation has not changed. North Pine cut Taringa’s lead down to five points (although the Gorillas have played an extra match) by accounting for Bayside Utd with two goals halfway through the second half. So, it could be classed as the biggest match of the season in Capital League 1. A Taringa win and they are just about home. A North Pine win and they have more than a sniff of the title. All to play for.
Taringa will be fired up after the loss and will get up. Wolves FC v Brisbane Knights Wolves are on a roll – four wins on the trot including a weekend win over leaders, Taringa and a midweek thrashing of Bayside Utd. This has taken them to 3rd position and serious contenders for the finals (even a chance at 2nd). This week they have another tough test against Brisbane Knights, who they have displaced in the top four. Knights went down to Acacia Ridge after a good run of results and will want their finals’ place back. Wolves, back at home, will be confident and I expect that confidence to translate into a win. Bayside Utd v North Star Bayside went down to North Pine on the weekend and Wolves on Tuesday night. This has dented their finals’ chances. North Star drew with UQ FC and have moved to 6th, but realistically, probably not a chance of making the top four. Bayside have a game in hand but must win this or their finals’ hopes will also probably have gone. Bayside to nick it. Southside Eagles v Acacia Ridge Southside Eagles were washed out on the weekend while Acacia Ridge rebounded to beat Brisbane Knights to jump back to 3rd. Eagles have a slim chance o the semis but need to keep winning to have any chance. Ridge are out of the Premiership running, but a win here and a North Pine loss puts them back in the picture for 2nd. May be a draw. UQ FC v Mt Gravatt UQ drew at North Star when, in reality, a win was required to progress in the finals’ race. Mt Gravatt were victims of Saturday’s downpour. Both still have a tiny opportunity to play finals’ football but both must win this week to keep that alive. The Students are my tip. Moggill v The Gap Moggill were another washed out team as were The Gap. I tipped Moggill to get a point last week and I’ll go out on a limb and do so again this week. That would probably put paid to the Gators’ finals’ hopes.
CAPITAL LEAGUE 2
Match of the Round – Ipswich City v Centenary Stormers Ipswich City’s 2-1 loss to Annerley has ended their Premiership chance. A win would have all but guaranteed them 3rd and be still in with a shout of catching the top two. Centenary kept up with Virginia due to a big 5-1 win over Western Spirit. The Bulls will have a say in the destination of the Premiership trophy as they play both contenders with the Stormers this weekend and Virginia in the final match. City are 3rd, only 6 points in front of Annerley, so another loss could narrow that gap. Stormers must win to keep Virginia in their sights. Their only dropped points have been away from home, so I will tip the draw. Western Spirit v New Farm Utd Western Spirit suffered a disappointing loss to Centenary which ended a run of three wins. New Farm did the double over Brisbane Phoenix with a 2-1 win at the Park. A late penalty secured the three points for the Farmers. This moved them up to 5th, just two points out of the four. They will want to maintain that position and put Spirit further behind them. Spirit sit 6th and are still in the frame for the finals but can’t afford to lose this one as they have a very tough run in, having to play the top three. Spirit to win. Pine Hills v Virginia Utd Pine Hills were another washout while Virginia continued there pursuit of the title with an 8-0 win over bottom side Park Ridge. The Pythons have been unlucky with the weather and have three matches to catch up. Thee may be a bit rusty from inaction. Virginia will have their sights set on another win to keep them at the top. I think they will win. Brisbane Phoenix v Toowong Phoenix went down by the odd goal in three to New Farm for the second time. Toowong missed out on playing due to the weather. Both are in with a chance of finishing fourth but any further losses will probably end that chance. Toowong got up 1-0 in the first “Phoenix” Derby. This time I think it will be Brisbane Phoenix to take the points. Pine Rivers Utd v Annerley Pine Rivers were a washout last round. Annerley won a match they had to win over Ipswich City to have any chance of catching the Bulls in 3rd. The Stars travel to Wendy Allison Park and should have an enjoyable trip home back to Elder Oval after beating the Predators. Oxley Utd v Park Ridge Oxley Utd also fell foul of the weather. Park Ridge were on the receiving end of another big score. Oxley won the corresponding encounter by only 1-0 with a late goal. This may give the Panthers some hope, but, for me, Oxley should win and by more than one.
CAPITAL LEAGUE 3 Match of the Round – Caboolture v Newmarket Caboolture suffered their second loss in a row (and third without a win) going down to Slacks Creek at Usher Park. The Snakes looked like their Premiership chance was gone when they lost to the other Tigers (Tarragindi). But then St George lost to put them back in the picture, but they could not capitalise on that. Newmarket accounted for bottom side Jimboomba. They are on a five match unbeaten run which aseen them rise to 5th, just three points from 4th. Tough trip up to Grants Road for the Postal boys (old timers will get the reference). Caboolture will bounce back to win.
Read HERE what Caboolture coach Nathan Walker had to say about their recent dip on form AC Carina v Slacks Creek AC Carina’s match was called off due to weather. Slacks Creek had their best win of the season, getting up over Caboolture with a goal one minute from time. The Dolphins are still in the running for second, being just two points back from Caboolture. First round result was a slim 1-0 win to Carina. The Tigers are out of the running for the semis but, with the win over Caboolture, have shown they are not to be taken lightly. Carina has too much to play for in this one and should take it out. St George Willawong v Tarragindi Tigers St George had an important win over Bardon, bouncing back from their loss to Clairvaux which gave them back their eight point lead at the top. The Tigers were rained out. The Saints can’t afford to take this match lightly given Tarragindi’s win over Caboolture. A rare Friday night outing at Willawong and it will be real chilly. The Saints will go marching on. Redcliffe PCYC v Bardon Latrobe Redcliffe were another victim of the weather. Bardon came up against a wounded St George and were beaten. PCYC are still in with a shot of finals’ football but have to start winning (they have lost 4 of their last 5). Bardon are in a similar position, so a win is imperative. Bardon have better recent form, so I will go with them. Westside v Jimboomba Utd Westside travelled to an improved Narangba and came away with a point from a 3-3 draw, saving themselves with a late goal. Jimboomba lost to Newmarket and seem to have the wooden spoon firmly in their grasp. Westside should win.
CAPITAL LEAGUE 4
Match of the Round – Kangaroo Point Rovers v North Brisbane Rovers had a good win away at Springfield coming back from a goal down at the half. This opened up a sizeable gap between 4th and 5th. It also keeps them in the hunt for a higher position on the table as they are only six points from top spot. North Brisbane had a comfortable win over Logan Village to take top spot back from Samford. KPR inflicted the Aces only defeat to date at Prentice Park and will be confident of a repeat. North Brisbane can’t afford to drop points. A tough one – could be a draw. Bethania Rams v Springfield Utd Bethania had the Bye last weekend but had a midweek catch up and demolished Mooroondu. Springfield went down to Kangaroo Point Rovers after holding a half-time lead. The Rams could go equal top if other results go their way. Springfield need to win to have any chance of 4th position. I can’t see that happening. It has to be the Rams to win. Logan Metro v Mooroondu Logan Metro’s match against Samford was washed out. Mooroondu got their second win of the season (over The Lakes) to move equal on points with them but then were well beaten by Bethania in midweek. Down at Compton Park, Metro should be too good. Logan Village v The Lakes Village went down to top team, North Brisbane. The Lakes were beaten by Mooroondu who now sit equal with them on the table. A long trip down south may take too much out of the Lakers. I’ll tip the Falcons to win. Samford Rangers - BYE
