The Quarter Finals for the Women’s State Knockout Cup will be played this week, and as we get down to the business end of the competition, all teams will be harbouring ambitions of lifting the trophy come Saturday 30 August*.
Here is a preview of all the games to be played over the next few days:
*= date still subject to change
South Melbourne vs Bundoora United
2pm, Sunday 8 June
State Football Centre – Pitch 3
Form (Last 5 games):
South Melbourne: WWWWW
Bundoora United: WLWWW
Road so far:
South Melbourne
Round 1 = Bye
Round 2 = 23-1 vs Western Eagles (SL2NW)
Round 3 = Win vs Melbourne Knights (SL2NW)
Bundoora United
Round 1 = 19-0 vs Truganina Hornets (SL3W)
Round 2 = 9-0 vs St Albans Saints (SL3W)
Round 3 = 7-0 vs Lara SC (SL3W)
It’s fair to say both sides have had an easy run in the competition so far, but the game on Sunday will be a completely different kettle of fish. Both sides have already met this season at Lakeside Stadium, with the game ending in a 3-2 win to South Melbourne.
Bundoora United have since hit a hot run of form and have improved with each week, and will be looking to get one back over South Melbourne as they aim to reach the final and avenge their 2012 loss to Box Hill United.
Both squads possess a lot of quality, and it may be the case that the coaches decide to rotate the players for this fixture, but make no mistake, whoever takes the park will be involved in an intense rival between two Premier League title favourites.
Verdict: This could end up going all the way to penalties, but while South Melbourne have been going about their business well this season, Bundoora will be hungry to avenge that league defeat and could well come away with victory.
Heidelberg United vs FC Bulleen Lions
7:30pm, Monday 9 June
Olympic Village
Form:
Heidelberg United: WLWWW
FC Bulleen Lions: WWWDW
Road so far:
Heidelberg United
Round 1 = 2-1 vs Ashburton WSC (WPL)
Round 2 = 5-1 vs Skye United (SL2SE)
Round 3 = 3-0 vs Box Hill United (WPL)
FC Bulleen Lions
Round 1 = Bye
Round 2 = 3-0 vs Keilor Park SC (SL1)
Round 3 = 7-1 vs Eltham Redbacks (SL2NW)
This one is another clash that is shaping up to be a cracker, with both sides hitting good form. It was a tough start to the season for Heidelberg, and it was also a difficult cup draw for them to get to this point, the hardest of any Premier League club. In fact, had it not been for a late show on a rainy Wednesday night against Ashburton, they wouldn’t be in the quarter finals.
Bulleen are one of the standout teams in the WPL this season, playing attractive, free-flowing while also picking up results. The fact that their coach Bob McGuinness still isn’t happy with their finishing shows that there is still room for improvement for the joint league leaders.
Heidelberg have been boosted by the return of many players from injury, and should have a full strength side to pick from, a luxury they haven’t been afforded this season. Bulleen will be a stern test for them however, and this game could end up being a high scoring affair.
Verdict: It’s hard to look past Bulleen, who could’ve thrashed Sandringham by more than the 4-1 scoreline on the Monday night. That said, if they don’t put away the chances they create, Heidelberg could sneak in and win it. They’ve certainly upset the odds before.
Melbourne University SC (SL1) vs Warragul United (SL4S)
7:30pm, Thursday 12 June
Clifton Park
Form:
Melbourne University SC: WWWDW
Warragul United: WWWWW
Road so far:
Melbourne University
Round 1 = Bye
Round 2 = 2-0 vs Doncaster Rovers (SL1)
Round 3 = 2-1 vs Boroondara Eagles (WPL)
Warragul United
Round 1 = 11-0 vs Point Cook FC (SL4W)
Round 2 = 2-1 vs Darebin Falcons (SL2NW)
Round 3 = 2-1 vs Preston Lions (SL1)
The two teams who caused Round 3’s biggest upsets have been pitted against each other and this is a rather intriguing clash. Melbourne University have started brightly in State League 1, only dropping points to fellow quarter finalists Brighton SC. Their win against Boroondara was well earned, and they possess a deadly strike in Keryn Walters.
Warragul United seem to be a team that is clearly too good for the level they are playing at, but doesn’t take any gloss off the achievement of making it this far as a State League 4 club. They have been in top form in the league, wracking up double digit scorelines in a similar vein to Seaford United last season, and all signs suggest they can give Melbourne University a tough evening.
It will be refreshing however to see lower league opposition in the semi finals, and there is no doubt these two can still cause a splash.
Verdict: It’s tough to look past Melbourne University for this one. Playing at lower intensities week in, week out will make it tough for Warragul to keep up, especially if it goes into extra time. Melbourne University are also flying in State 1, and should be too strong for the visitors.
Sandringham SC vs Brighton SC
8pm, Thursday 12 June
Kingston Heath Soccer Complex
Form:
Sandringham: DWWLL
Brighton SC: WLWDL
Run so far:
Sandringham
Round 1 = 8-1 vs North Geelong Warriors (SL1)
Round 2 = 3-0 vs South Yarra SC (SL1)
Round 3 = 3-0 vs Monbulk Rangers (WPL)
Brighton
Round 1 = 2-1 vs Whitehorse United (SL2SE)
Round 2 = 11-0 vs Watsonia Heights SC (SL3N)
Round 3 = 5-3 vs Essendon Royals (SL3W)
This cup game could either be a blessing in disguise for Sandringham, who seem to have lost their mojo in the last couple of games, and a local derby could just spark them back into life. Losses to Box Hill and Bulleen have exposed Sandringham to be out of sync from defence to attack, though that could be down to the form and injuries to players.
But champions should be able to react to bad patches, and they will be hell bent in making sure they don’t slip up to State League 1 side Brighton. The girls from Dendy Park have had a mixed start to life in a higher division. Despite winning their opening two games, their only win since has been against Essendon Royals in Round 3 of the cup, so they’re also searching for form going into this clash.
Elaina Vatcky has proved to be Sandringham’s bright spark this season so far, and should she play, she needs to be watched closely, while Sandringham have to ensure their defence bounces back after a disappointing evening in Bulleen on Monday.
Verdict: Sandringham should be able to overcome Brighton on the night, and rediscover some of the form that won them the double last season. But don’t discount the visitors, as anything can happen in a local derby.