Capital Leagues Weekly Preview
A number of issues were resolved last weekend and now only a few left to be finalised. There are still some catch up matches next weekend which may have importance though depending on this week’s results. Capital League 1 – North Pine secured 2nd position and the double chance in the finals. It’s back to a three way battle for the last two spots. It’s also a fight to finish 10th between North Star and Mt Gravatt at the bottom end. Capital League 2 – Centenary Stormers have taken out the Premiership. Virginia Utd and Ipswich City are still fighting it out for 2nd. Annerley have made the finals and could still finish 3rd. The bottom two are settled. Capital League 3 – St George Willawong have taken out the Premiership. Caboolture are 2nd. Carina are in the finals, just positioning to be decided. It’s a playoff this weekend for the last finals’ spot. Three teams left at the other end trying to avoid 11th. Capital League 4 – Samford Rangers have one hand on the Premiership trophy, needing one win from their last two matches. North Brisbane should finish 2nd. The top four is settled (apart from final positions).
CAPITAL LEAGUE 1
Match of the Round - Acacia Ridge v Bayside Utd Ridge snuck home with a win over UQ at St Lucia. Bayside handed out a thrashing to Moggill. This is a match that has one team with something to play for and another without that incentive. That doesn’t mean Bayside will roll over, they will still want to finish on a high note. Ridge have a game in hand next week but that could be meaningless with a loss here and other results going against them. That should be enough to spur them on to victory, but I have a feeling a draw will be the outcome. Brisbane Knights v UQFC Brisbane Knights moved back to 3rd with a win over The Gap, getting the winner in the last minute. UQ lost by the only goal to Acacia Ridge. Another match that has one team with something to play for and another without that incentive. Knights have destiny in their own hands; a win here will secure them a play off spot. The Students have nothing to play for but pride. With a semi final spot on the line for the Knights, that will be enough for them to win this one. North Star v Wolves FC North Star were up 4-3 with just under a quarter of an hour left against North Pine after a three goal in eight minutes flurry early in the second half, but they couldn’t hold on and conceded two to lose. Wolves were well beaten by Southside Eagles, a late goal making the score line a bit more respectable. Star will want to avoid 11th spot but Wolves need to win to maintain their grip on a finals’ position. Wolves will be more desperate and take the three points. Mt Gravatt v North Pine Mt Gravatt were unlucky not to get all three points at Taringa. North Pine won a see-sawing match against North Star. The Hawks are still a chance of finishing 10th and on last week’s effort, I wouldn’t count them out. North Pine are secure in 2nd, so may be inclined to rest some players to avoid injury or suspension before the finals. A draw. Southside Eagles v The Gap Southside Eagles are on a run of form with only one loss in their last six after beating Wolves. The Gap’s late run for the finals ended with a last minute loss to Brisbane Knights. So there is nothing to play for here for either team except positioning on the ladder. I’ll back Eagles. Moggill v Taringa Rovers Moggill were hammered by Bayside Utd. Taringa were held to a draw by Mt Gravatt. Moggill appear to be going through the motions now and seeing the season out. Taringa rested some players last week ahead of the finals’ series. That being said, they only escaped a loss through an added time goal. They should win this one.
CAPITAL LEAGUE 2
Match of the Round – Virginia Utd v Ipswich City 2nd v 3rd. With potential promotion on the line. Virginia outplayed Western Spirit to arrest a two match losing streak. Ipswich City were made to work hard for their win over a much improved Toowong outfit after conceding the first goal. Virginia need only to draw this match to finish 2nd. A Bulls win and also in their match against Western Spirit next week means City will be 2nd. A Bulls loss could mean ending up 4th. Previous meeting ended in a 2-1 win to Virginia at Sutton Park. I suspect this one will be just as close. Tip? I think Virginia will get the point they need. Pine Hills v Brisbane Phoenix Pine Hills beat Oxley to edge closer to them on the table. Phoenix had an easy win over Park Ridge on the weekend before being thrashed 6-1 by Annerley on Tuesday night. The Pythons still have the incentive of finishing above Oxley and have a game in hand, while the Nix could still finish 5th. Both with something to play for, Phoenix will get up. Centenary Stormers v Oxley Utd Centenary annexed the Premiership with a close win over Annerley. Oxley lost the battle for 9th against Pine Hills to leave them only two points in front of the Pythons. The Stormers should not have any real problems in winning this at home to complete a 100% record there. New Farm Utd v Annerley New Farm made short work of Pine Rivers Utd. Annerley went down in a tight one against Centenary. In spite of the loss, other results meant Annerley made the finals. On Tuesday they demolished Brisbane Phoenix. New Farm are a chance to finish 5th with a catch up match next week. Annerley can finish 3rd if results go their way. New Farm at the Park to win. Toowong v Pine Rivers Utd Toowong lost to Ipswich City but gave them a scare. Pine Rivers were given a touch up by New Farm. Toowong will have their sights set on 5th. The Predators are 11th and will stay there no matter what. Toowong won the first round match at Rivers by 4-0 and should be looking to repeat that. Park Ridge v Western Spirit Park Ridge were soundly beaten by Brisbane Phoenix. Western Spirit were soundly beaten by Virginia Utd. The Panthers have nothing to spur them on apart from maybe getting their only win of the season. Spirit could finish 5th. That should be enough for Spirit to win.
CAPITAL LEAGUE 3
Match of the Weekend - Bardon Latrobe v Westside 5th v 4th. There is all to play for in the chase for the last finals’ position. Westside lost in a close one against Caboolture. Bardon did the business over Clairvaux. Westside must win to ensure they take that spot as Bardon have a match in hand. A Bardon win and they are in. A draw and it comes down to next week’s match between Bardon and Tarragindi. Tough one to predict. Bardon won 4-2 last time and, at home, just might have the edge. The FBTV cameras will be there to capture this one on Sunday afternoon. Caboolture v AC Carina Caboolture came away from Westside with the win to ensure 2nd. Carina beat Jimboomba and then backed up midweek to beat Tarragindi to guarantee 3rd. So there is nothing to play for here except maybe psychologically, in case they meet in the finals. Carina won last time (1-0) so expect a close encounter again with the Snakes getting home. Tarragindi Tigers v Clairvaux Tarragindi saw off Narangba to help their cause, moving up to 9th on the table. Their loss on Tuesday night to Carina has kept them within reach of those below. Clairvaux slumped closer to the bottom two after losing to Bardon Latrobe. A Tigers win makes them safe and I think that is what will happen. Slacks Creek v Narangba Utd Slacks Creek travelled to Redcliffe and took home all three points. Narangba lost to the other Tigers (Tarragindi). Creek are safe from the bottom two. Narangba cannot afford to lose this one if they want to have any chance of moving out of the bottom two. Narangba won the first meeting but I suspect that won’t be happening this time. I’ll go for the draw. Newmarket v Redcliffe PCYC Newmarket were beaten by St George while Redcliffe suffered the same fate at the hands of Slacks Creek. This is a playoff for 6th spot, so expect it to be hard fought. PCYC won the first encounter 5-1 but Newmarket have improved since then. The points to stay at McCook Park. Jimboomba Utd v St George Willawong This is last v first without anything riding on it. Jimboomba were beaten by AC Carina and have taken the wooden spoon. St George confirmed the Premiership with a win over Newmarket. The Saints should stroll home at Kurrajong Park.
CAPITAL LEAGUE 4
Match of the Weekend - Kangaroo Point Rovers v Bethania Rams Rovers beat The Lakes and Bethania just scraped home by the only goal over Logan Village. This is really a battle for 3rd on the ladder and a home semi final. (KPR have an outside chance at 2nd if North Brisbane falter and are even still in with the possibility of the Premiership, but I can’t see that happening). KPR have won seven on the trot and their last loss was to the Rams. Even with a loss, Rovers have a catch up match next week which would secure 3rd. I think they will make it eight in a row. Logan Village v Samford Rangers Village were vastly improved in losing by the only goal to Bethania Rams and by all accounts should have come away with victory. Samford Rangers won their top of the table clash over North Brisbane. A win to Rangers claims the Premiership. I can’t see any other outcome in this clash. The Falcons’ aim should be to keep the damage to a minimum to avoid the wooden spoon on goal difference. Springfield Utd v Logan Metro A good win for the Simpsons (Springfielders) over Mooroondu, while Logan Metro had the Bye. This is a match that could determine 5th on the ladder and both teams will be keen to grab that place. If either team wins, 5th is theirs. A draw then means Metro’s match next week against Samford takes on some importance. I’ll back Metro. North Brisbane v Mooroondu North Brisbane lost the “almost” Premiership playoff at Samford. A win here for the Aces almost wraps up 2nd (unless Samford don’t beat Logan Village, then they would go back to the top pending Rangers’ final match). Mooroondu’s aim should be to keep the damage to a minimum to avoid the wooden spoon on goal difference. The Lakes - BYE
