Pelada Cup Quarter Final preview

Only eight teams left in the women's knockout cup.

The Pelada Cup, Victoria’s state wide knockout competition for women, has reached the quarter-final stage for 2012. Seven teams remain in the hunt to lift the inaugural trophy aloft, six of which play this Wednesday as Box Hill United automatically went through to the semi-final stage after Cairnlea forfeited their tie.

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Heidelberg United v Casey Comets
Wed 25 July 7:30pm, Olympic Village

League and Positions
Heidelberg United: Women’s Premier League, 2nd – 1st tier
Casey Comets: Women’s Premier League, 5th – 1st tier

League Form – latest results on right
Heidelberg United: LWWWW
Casey Comets: WWLWD

2012 Cup Run
Heidelberg United: Brunswick Zebras, 7-0 (State League Two N/W)
Casey Comets: Boroondara Eagles, 2-0 (State League Two N/W)

Notable Achievements
Heidelberg United: WPL Winner 2007, WPL Minor Premiers 2007, WPL Grand Final Runner-Up x4 (06, 08, 09, 10)
Casey Comets: WPL Winner x3 (99, 02, 04), WPL Grand Final Runner-Up 2005, WPL Minor Premiers 2005

Two historically successful Women’s Premier League clubs meet in a match that should go down to the wire. Heidelberg have had a successful season so far and will fancy themselves to go far in this competition.

Casey have had an up and down season, and while they still remain in the hunt for a WPL finals place, the Pelada Cup looks to be their best chance of silverware this year.

Preston Lions v Altona City
Wed 25 July 8pm, State Football Centre

League and Positions
Preston Lions: Women’s Premier League, 9th – 1st tier
Altona City: State League One, 2nd – 2nd tier

League Form – latest results on right
Preston Lions: LLLLL
Altona City: WDWDW

2012 Cup Run
Preston Lions: Cobram Victory, 3-0 (Goulburn North East – Open Women)
Altona City: North Geelong Warriors 4-0 (State League two N/W), Ballarat Red Devils 1-1 (State League One), South Melbourne Women 3-2 (Women’s Premier League)

Notable Achievements
Preston Lions: WPL Preliminary Final 2008, State League One Champions 2003 State League One Runner-Up x2 (05, 11)
Altona City: State League One Champions 2009, WPL Club 2010-11

Two sides on opposite trajectories, with Altona City primed for promotion while Preston Lions look to be going the other way.

Altona have a point to prove in this competition after bowing out of the WPL in surprising circumstances last season when final day results went against the grain, seeing them dumped into State League One.

Preston are on a nine match winless streak, losing eight of those matches including the past six while Altona City are undefeated in both league and cup this year, not having lost in any of their 16 matches so far – tasting victory in 13 of those.

Bundoora United v Sandringham
Wed 25 July 8:15pm, Knox Regional Football Centre

League and Positions
Bundoora United: Women’s Premier League, 4th – 1st tier
Sandringham: Women’s Premier League, 3rd – 1st tier

League Form – latest results on right
Bundoora United: WDWLD
Sandringham: LDWWW

2012 Cup Run
Bundoora United: First match
Sandringham: Keilor Park, 4-0 (State League Two N/W)

Notable Achievements
Bundoora United: State League One Champions 2010
Sandringham: WPL Minor Premiers 2011, WPL Grand Final Runner-Up 2011, State League One Champions 2005

These two teams have been trading places on the WPL ladder all season and now they get the chance to claim bragging rights and a place in the Pelada Cup semi-final with a victory on Wednesday.

With both sides featuring Westfield W-League players and bursting with young talent, the scene is set for an entertaining contest between two sides who like to play attacking football.

Get there if you can!