Pig 'N' Whistle Canale Cup RD3 Preview
RD3 of the Pig 'N' Whistle Canale Cup continues this week with one side already through to RD4 with Bayside United having knocked out Viva Capital League 1 side Annerley last week. There are a number of byes in this round which has earned the following sides an immediate berth into the RD4 draw.
Ipswich City (VCL1)
Centenary Stormers (FCBPL)
The Lakes (VCL3)
AC Carina (VCL2)
UQFC (FCBPL)
Virginia United (FCBPL)
Here's the remaining fixtures taking place this week with two ties to be played next week. Pig 'N' Whistle Canale Cup RD3 Tue 5 Jun, 7.45pm KO: Pine Hills (VCL1) v New Farm United (VCL1) @ James Drysdale Reserve. Thu 7 Jun, 7.30pm KO: Clairvaux (VCL2) v Acacia Ridge (FCBPL) @ Clairvaux MacKillop College. Thu 7 Jun, 7.30pm KO: Grange Thistle (FCBPL) v North Star (VCL1) @ Lanham Park. Fri 8 Jun, 7.30pm KO: Brisbane Athletic (VCL3) v Mt Gravatt (FCBPL) @ Pinkenba Reserve. Fri 8 Jun, 7.30pm KO: Albany Creek (FCBPL) v Moggill (VCL1) @ Wolter Park. Sat 9 Jun, 4.00pm KO: Brisbane Knights (FCBPL) v Samford Rangers (VCL2) @ Brisbane Knights Sports Complex. Sun 10 Jun, 3.00pm KO: Oxley United (VCL1) v Kangaroo Point Rovers (VCL2) @ Dunlop Park. Tue 12 Jun, 7.00pm KO: Jimboomba United (VCL3) v St George Willawong (VCL1) @ Kurrajong Park. Wed 13 Jun, 7.30pm KO: Logan City Kings (VCL3) v Caboolture (VCL1) @ TBD. So who will most likely make it to Round 4? An all Viva Capital League 1 clash pits Pine Hills and New Farm Utd together. The league encounter earlier this season was a tight affair with Hills edging it 1-0, so it's likely that this tie will also be a close game between two well matched sides. With home advantage you'd perhaps be inclined to plump for the Pythons to go through but it could well require an additional thirty minutes to sort this one out.
Prediction: Hills 2-1 after extra time. In form Clairvaux welcome premier league side Acacia Ridge to the college. It could be an interesting encounter this one as Ridge have struggled in the Flight Centre Brisbane Premier League this season and the Foxes have won three league games on the trot which included an impressive 5-0 win over top four contenders Westside. Could well be an upset here if Ridge don't take their chances.
Prediction: Ridge to edge the tie 2-1. Flight Centre Brisbane Premier League leaders Grange Thistle will be firm favourites when they host North Star later in the week. The Zillmere side won't be easy beats though and as Thistle well know, you can't take anything for granted against the lower division sides as they found out in the FFA Cup against New Farm. Surely they can't stumble again to a Viva Capital League 1 side? We don't think so but they'll have to work for that RD4 berth.
Prediction: Thistle to progress with a 3-1 success. There maybe three divisions between Brisbane Athletic and Mt Gravatt but both side's seasons are suggesting this will be a closer game than you'd expect. Athletic are flying high in Viva Capital League 3 whilst the Hawks are having much less success in the top flight, sitting rock bottom with just one win. The divisional gap may be just too much for Athletic but if they play to their best, Mt Gravatt may well be in trouble.
Prediction: Tough to decide but the Hawks have to show some seniority here and make it through. 3-2. It will be hard to see anything but an Albany Creek win when they host Moggill on Friday evening. Having lost just once in the league to leaders Grange Thistle and having been knocked out of the FFA Cup by Brisbane Strikers in RD4 to thrust them into this stage of the Pig 'N' Whistle Canale Cup, Creek will be one of the favourites to reach the final. Moggill are struggling a little in Viva Capital League 1 and with an away trip to Wolter Park, they face a mountain to climb.
Prediction: Creek to ease through 4-0. Samford Rangers head to premier league side Brisbane Knights on Saturday afternoon. Rangers, currently leading the chasing pack behind AC Carina in Viva Capital League 2 face a stiff test against Knights. However, suspensions and injuries are plaguing the Rocklea side who have suffered indifferent form this season. A 7-0 thumping of Western Spirit last round has seen Knights reach this stage but Samford can be a tough nut to crack and will pose a greater threat. That said, Knights should still prove to be too good and make it into RD4.
Prediction: Knights to progress with a 3-1 win. Oxley United and Kangaroo Point Rovers are no strangers to early afternoon kick offs so both sides will feel at home in the 3pm sunshine Sunday afternoon. United could well be in a relegation dog fight come season's end with only a pointless Park Ridge side below them in Viva Capital League 1 whilst Rovers are mid-table in Viva Capital League 2, so this clash maybe a close game. To be fair, Oxley did reach this round of the cup courtesy of a penalty shoot-out win over league leaders Toowong and if they can repeat that performance, they'll be too good for Rovers. Prediction: Oxley to keep the cup run going with a 2-0 win. Jimboomba United host Viva Capital League 1 side St George Willawong next week. Mid-table side Saints should prove too strong for United but both sides pack a physical presence and this tie could be an interesting one. United have a favourable home draw but when these two met last season in the league, St George came away with both wins.
Prediction: It will be solid encounter but Saints to reach the next round with a 3-1 win. The final tie of the round sees Logan City Kings up against Caboolture. The venue for this tie is yet to be confirmed but will nonetheless involve a hefty road trip for the Snakes. That could well be the only saving grace for Kings who will face a stiff test against a side with games in hand in Viva Capital League 1 that could well see them promoted to the top flight come season's end. Kings have endured some disciplinary issues this season but do give 100% every game. If the visitors get on the scoreboard early though, it could be a hefty scoreline in their favour.
Prediction: Despite the long midweek trip south, expect Caboolture to stroll through this one with a 5-1 win.
