CUP PREVIEWS

Viva Challenge Cup

Parafield Gardens v Adelaide Red Blue Eagles

Parafield Gardens will be looking to build on their league-form in this week’s Sunday v Saturday Challenge Cup clash against Adelaide Red Blue Eagles. Both sides have had successful league campaigns so far, with Gardens being just a point behind Downs in second. ARBE now sit in sixth, so they’ll be looking to the cup as their chance to potentially win some silverware this season.

Modbury SC v Salisbury Inter

Modbury Soccer Club have had a frustrating league campaign so far, sitting seventh in Sunday Division Two. The cup has been a different story, as they’ve so far beaten Adelaide Atletico and Rowe Park to get to this position. Salisbury Inter themselves are coming off a hard-fought extra-time win over second-division Stirling District. Inter will welcome a week off from their league struggles and will be looking forward to testing themselves against another tough team coming up from the second division.

West Beach v Ghan Kilburn

West Beach has a tough task ahead in the form of Ghan Kilburn. The division two side has been on a hot run of form in the league, most recently coming off an 11-0 win over Rowe Park. Ghan comparatively have suffered a slight dip in form in the league and will be looking to use this match to play themselves back into form. West Beach’s last cup game was a 1-0 victory over Saturday division three side Adelaide Blue Eagles, whilst Ghan were 2-1 victors over Saturday Premier Division side Pitbulls.

Sturt Marion v MA Hawks

Sturt Marion are staying within their league with this fixture, as they host MA Hawks. Hawks have been showing some positive signs as of late and will undoubtedly be looking at this cup run as a way to get something out of this season. Sturt comparatively, are sitting nicely in fifth place – but will be aware that the cup is their last chance at silverware this season. Sturt’s last result was a 2-1 win over Savoy, whereas MA Hawks impressively dispatched of South Coast who are currently running away with Saturday Division Two.

Para Hills East v Adelaide Titans

Para Hills East come up against Adelaide Titans. Saturday v Sunday is always a source of healthy debate and rivalry, and with these two sides been 4^th and 3^rd in their respective leagues – the result will certainly be a talking point. Easties’ last cup fixture was a 4-1 drumming of Southern Knights, and Titans are coming off an impressive 5-2 win over second-placed Modbury Jets.

Tea Tree Gully v Brahma Lodge

Making a late run at the title is not impossible for Tea Tree Gully but will certainly be an uphill battle. With this and the success they’ve experienced this year in mind, the Gully will be chomping at the bit to go as far as they can in this competition. In similar sense, Brahma can forget their league woes for the week and solely focus on getting a result against Tea Tree Gully, a result which could galvanise the squad and restore some form in the league.

USC Lion v Elizabeth Downs

This weekend is a great chance for USC Lion to test themselves against one of Sunday’s very best in Elizabeth Downs. Lion defeated Angle Vale 3-1 in the last round, who are second in Sunday Division Three. Downs made light-work of Para Hills West, winning 4-0. Despite the importance of their next league fixture, coach Alan Mottram stated that the group is entirely focused on Lion and progressing through to the next round.

FK Beograd v Old Ignatians

FK Beograd have had a very impressive cup run thus far, going from strength to strength in terms of the teams they have already knocked out. With this in mind, they will be relishing the opportunity to take another massive scalp in the form of Old Ignatians – who of course sit a the very top of the Saturday pile. Beograd started their campaign with a 4-3 win over SBS, a 4-1 over Croydon Cougars, a 2-0 win over Para Hills United, and who can forget the 3-2 upset win over WA Raptors – who are two divisions above them. Iggies themselves are coming off a 2-1 win over St Peters but will be cautious that their next league fixture is essentially a title-decider. 

Reserves Cup

Ingle Farm v Stirling District

Ingle Farm have not had the most fruitful of league campaigns but can be encouraged by where they stand in the cup. Their task is a difficult one however, as their opponents Stirling Districts have a history of being giant killers in the cup. Having narrowly missed out on the final last year, The Aces are on a mission this year to go one step further than last year, and should be bullish on their chances given last round’s impressive win over Sunday Division One side Salisbury Inter.  Ingle Farm were successful in their game against Maiwand – running out 4-0 winners.

Parafield Gardens v Adelaide Uni

Similar to their first team, Parafield Gardens are experiencing a successful year in the league. However, their chance to obtain some silverware is in the cup. Last round’s 5-1 win over Metrostars was a statement of intent, but they’ll be facing a more resolute challenge in the form of Adelaide Uni, who are currently first in the Saturday Second Division. Uni’s cup run has seen them overcome Adelaide Sporting Club and Adelaide Red Blue Eagles.

Sturt Marion v South Coast

Sturt Marion sit in seventh in Saturday Premier B, with South Coast also occupying mid-table in the second division. Sturt got past East Adelaide in the last round, not an easy task considering the success East Adelaide have found so far this season – they are absolutely blitzing the league. South Coast have the ability to stay in games and procure unexpected results, so Sturt should certainly be weary.

Tea Tree Gully v Monarchs

Tea Tree Gully sit second in their division and are coming off a well-earned 2-1 victory over Saturday’s BOSA in the last round. Monarchs have had a cup-run filled to the brim with drama and narrative, their last result being a 7-6 rollercoaster win against Brahma Lodge. The Saturday side will be looking for more drama and heroics, as they hope to get the better of yet another Premier Division side.

West Beach v Ghan Kilburn

West Beach were impressive in their 3-0 win over Blue Eagles in the last round, they’ve also had a great year in the league – they currently sit in second place. Ghan have struggled in the league but have looked the part thus far in the cup, with their last result being a 3-1 win over Pitbulls. West Beach will be encouraged by their consistency across both competitions so far this year, confidence will be high to pull off an upset.  

Para Hills East v Modbury Jets

Para Hills East reserves currently sit in seventh, not where they would have imagined themselves sitting at the start of the year. Nonetheless they’ve found themselves in a good position in the cup and will be looking to improve on last round’s 3-2 win over Elizabeth Vale. Jets comparatively, were 3-0 winners over Titans reserves. Both teams have a real chance to go deep into this competition.

USC Lion v Para Hills West

USC Lion reserves are currently sit in fifth place, Para Hills West respectively are in third. Lion snuck over Elizabeth Vale 3-2 in the last round and will need to put together a more convincing performance this week if they are to trouble Para Hills West. Westies are coming off an impressive 3-2 win over Downs, who sit top in their division. 

WA Raptors v St Peters

West Adelaide Raptors currently sit fifth in the Sunday Premier Division, and will certainly be backing themselves in against St Peters, who sit in ninth in the Saturday Premier Division. Raptors were 4-2 winners in their last round against Para Hills United, and St Peters impressively knocked off Iggies 1-0.