The Weekly Wash-Up
More big results from the weekend that has seen some premiership races thrown wide open and others closer to conclusion.
Here's five things that caught our attention over the last week from the games that did reach conclusion… #1:: The Brit Whitfield Show
We start with the impressive showing from Mt Franklin Women’s Premier League striker Brit Whitfield of Peninsula Power who netted five times in her side’s 6-1 success away to Virginia United on Friday night, and in doing so, closed the gap in the Golden Boot race to just three goals behind Mitchelton’s Jamie MacFarlane. Perhaps a more interesting fact is she joins team mate Melissa Limov as the club’s leading women’s goal scorer, with the pair both sitting on 142 goals for Power since 2009. Whitfield though has achieved that tally in just 86 games as opposed to Limov’s 103. It’s likely the strike duo will be hunting for more goals this coming weekend when they face Annerley at AJ Kelly Park as Power look to battle their way into the top four.
#2:: Title race wide open as Tigers fall away
Rochedale Rovers missed the opportunity to all but claim the premiership at the weekend, after Peninsula Power ran out 3-0 winners over them on Saturday evening. It means the title race will most likely go down to the final day. Power’s win moved them into second spot on the ladder and just two points off of Rovers. Meanwhile, Lions FC failed to capatilise on Rovers slip up when they let slip a 2-0 lead at Mitchelton, having to settle in the end for a share of the points to leave them three points behind the league leaders. The top four is also very much wide open with Souths United holding onto fourth place with gritted teeth, just above Mitchelton on goal difference, then Eastern Suburbs, Albany Creek and Holland Park Hawks in eighth who helped their finals hopes with a 2-1 win away to Easts. It’s looking like another season of under achievement for the Tigers who topped the table not so long ago, but have now failed to win in their last five outings and are in danger of missing out on finals altogether. The final catch-up weekend in two weekend’s time looks set to be a possible decider to see who will feature in the finals series.
#3:: Taringa firm up Capital League 1 title
It was the top two who met at Jack Speare Park on Saturday evening in a game that saw six goals and two dismissals. Taringa Rovers 4-2 win over closest rivals North Pine means that should results go their way this coming weekend, they could be crowned premiers. Rovers travel to North Star on Friday night and anything but three points for the league leaders would be a shock. North Pine face a much tougher assignment when high flying Wolves FC head to Bob Brock Park on Saturday.
The Gorillas will know that if Rovers get maximum points at O'Callaghan Park, the premiership is gone, but they'll want to put some light between themselves and Wolves.
Wolves are in hot form though at the moment, having won their last five games on the trot and they’ll be eyeing off second spot on the table.
#4:: Park Ridge Relegated As Top Two Stumble
Park Ridge were confirmed as relegated from Capital League 2 at the weekend following what was perhaps the result of the weekend in the division when tenth placed Pine Hills stunned title chasing Virginia United in a 2-1 win. Ridge’s woeful season continued with a 4-1 loss at Oxley United meaning they cannot catch Hills who sit two spots above them. It’s looking equally as gloomy for Pine Rivers who need a miracle to avoid the drop, sitting six points behind Pine Hills with Hills having three games in hand. At the top of the table, Virginia’s defeat gave Centenary Stormers the opportunity to regain top spot 24 hours later.
They duly obliged but only through a 1-1 draw away to third place Ipswich City, putting them ahead of United on goals scored. A game in hand over Virginia puts Stormers in the box seat leading in to the final few games of the season and they should be favourites to claim the Capital League 2 title.
#5:: KPR Keep Capital League 4 title race open
Much in the same vein as the other division’s title races, Kangaroo Point Rovers ensured Capital League 4 wouldn’t be decided until virtually the end of the season when they inflicted just the second defeat of the season for North Brisbane. A 2-0 victory at Raymond Park putting Rovers in the title hunt with the top four sides separated by just three points. It spelt good news for Samford Rangers who had to endure the Bye at the weekend, only able to watch on as the results came in but with a game in hand over their rivals, they could find themselves back at the top of the table soon. The next round could prove vital with leaders North Brisbane hosting second placed Bethania Rams, who moved above Samford following victory over Springfield United, in what is sure to be a thriller of a game. The top four though look decided with North Brisbane, Bethania, Samford and Kangaroo Point unlikely to be caught.
