Round 19 Preview – PS4 NPL NSW Women’s

After 18 tough rounds of the PlayStation®4 NPL NSW Women’s competition, the finals are upon us.

Macarthur Rams, Manly United, Illawarra Stingrays and Sydney University are the four sides vying for the championship.

Minor Semi-Final

Illawarra Stingrays v Sydney University

At Cromer Park on Saturday afternoon the Illawarra Stingrays will take on Sydney University with the loser’s season finishing.

The Stingrays were set for a top two finish but were overtaken by Manly United on the last day, losing the opportunity to have a ‘second chance’ in the finals series.

With Michelle Heyman making a return to the Stingrays team alongside captain Michelle Carney and the inform Talitha Kramer, the south coast team will be hard to stop.

New Zealand international Emma Rolston has been one of the signings of the season and coach Brett Wallin will be banking on another fine performance from her.

Despite securing a finals spot and giving themselves another chance to add to their silverware, one would believe the ‘Students’ aren’t happy.

Having been right in the hunt for the Premiership up until the last two weeks of the season, two losses in three matches were their downfall.

Heather Garriock’s  side was suffering with injuries but her star players have returned at the right time to make a push for the championship.

Nikki Flannery has been one of the best players in the competition this season and she’ll be key for Uni along with the fantastic Amy Sayer.

An incredible 15 goals were scored in the two clashes between the teams during the season with Uni winning the first clash while the second was a 3-3 draw.

Major Semi-Final

Macarthur Rams v Manly United

At Lynwood Park on Sunday afternoon, 2017 Premiers Macarthur Rams will host Manly United with the winner progressing directly to the grand final.

The Rams secured the Premiership on the final day of the season after leading the competition for a large part of the year.

Kylie Ledbrook has been fantastic for the Rams throughout the whole season, accompanied by the little midfield magician Teresa Polias.

Leena Khamis and Kristina Maksuti have led the line from the front, scoring a large proportion of the Rams’ goals this season.

Norm Boardman will hope his side can go a step further than previous seasons and this time take out the Championship trophy.

Manly United is a side that enters this finals series with great belief and a real chance at claiming the prize.

They have Remy Siemsen in their ranks, one of the best young stars of Australian football who can change a game on her own.

Chris Williams knows his team can mix it with everyone and will be quietly confident they’ll book their grand final place.

The Rams come into this one having won both previous clashes between the two but United will be keen to change that.

-By Nikola Pozder