Women's Capital League Grand Final Preview
North Pine and UQFC go head to head for the final match of the season this afternoon at Albany Creek’s Wolter Park, with the Gorillas looking to make it a league and grand final double. These sides have met three times this season with the Gorillas holding a two wins to one advantage over the Students, but it’s that one success to UQ that perhaps holds the greatest significance, coming in the preliminary semi-final at North Pine two weeks ago when they ran out convincing 3-0 winners. Both league encounters were close run affairs with North Pine winning each game by a single goal, but when it comes to the crunch of a knockout clash… it’s a different beast. The Gorillas were made to work hard for their 2-0 extra time win over Park Ridge last week to make it to today’s final. The Student’s may well have looked at that result with interest and with an extra week’s rest under their belt, ought to be well prepared to enter today’s encounter with confidence that they can repeat their semi-final success. North Pine’s key will be Golden Boot and joint Women’s Capital League Player of the Year Alexis Ball. Although slight in build she is a physical and difficult customer to deal with. Not only has her goal scoring exploits propelled her side to the championship this season but her ability to supply is also a major threat. UQ know they have to contain the North Pine captain and by nullifying her threat, they’ll be on a level footing. But North Pine hold other threats across the park with Sabrina Savill and last week’s match winner Sharna Broad more than capable of bulging the back of the net. UQ will rely on top scorer Cairisjan Mitchell to provide the attacking threat up front but it’s their defensive line that will need to beat their best, as it was two weeks ago at Bob Brock Park. It’s more than likely this will be another tight encounter between the league’s two best sides but another extra time saga could count against the Gorillas with fitness likely to come to the fore. The longer UQ can hold their opponents scoreless, the more likely they are to go on with the job. Prediction: 1-1 at full-time with the Students to steal it with an extra time winner. 2-1 AET. Player to Watch: Alexis Ball (North Pine). She would not look out of place in a film version of a Jane Austen novel but make no mistake, she hasn’t scored 20 goals this season without having a ruthless streak in front of goal and is more than capable of muscling her way around the park and bossing the play.
