The action continues in the Women’s NPL NSW competition with some daylight beginning to show amongst the leaders.
Blacktown Spartans v Northern Tigers
Match of the round takes us to Blacktown Football Park as the league leading Northern Tigers face off against the 5th placed Blacktown Spartans.
First loss after nine games without defeat, it won’t get any easier this week for David Saliba’s team.
They weren’t their normal selves last week and they’ll expect an immediate reaction and improved performance.
The Tigers continue their march toward the premiership.
Another massive win on Saturday made it four wins on the trot for the Tigers and at this pace they’ve moving in the right direction.
Illawarra Stingrays v Macarthur Rams
The Illawarra Stingrays host the Macarthur Rams at JJ Kelly Park on Sunday.
The Rays picked up a point on Sunday but would’ve wanted more that game.
It made it five games without defeat for Scott Chipperfield’s team and they’ll look to make it another when they host a side they comfortable beat back in round three.
For Macarthur, they would’ve expected more from last week’s game but gave goals away too easily.
This could spell the end of their finals hopes should they fail to pick up points here.
Emerging Jets v North Shore Mariners
At Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility the Emerging Jets host the North Shore Mariners.
Both teams will believe they can pick up points from this clash and both showed promise in their matches over the weekend.
A defeat for the Mariners will mean they’ll be favourites to pick up the wooden spoon come August.
Sydney Olympic v Sydney University
Sydney Olympic and Sydney University face off at peter Moore Field on Sunday afternoon.
One of the matches of the round with two sides in hot form and hot pursuit of the Tigers.
Uni have hit some streak, making it nine-games without defeat and only a point behind the league leaders.
Olympic aren’t too far behind, only a win away from the Tigers but they know defeat will see them take a step backward in terms of the premiership race.
Should be a fine game at Belmore.
Football NSW Institute v Manly United
At VSP, Football NSW will host Manly United.
Two sides whose finals hopes are almost extinguished.
Defeat for either team will mean their hopes are dashed, victory, keeps them alive.
Manly come into this one in slightly better form while the Institute have conceded 11 goals in two games.
NWS Koalas v Bankstown City
The North West Sydney Koalas and Bankstown City do battle at Christie park with the late kick off at 6pm.
Similarly to the previous fixture, both sides need wins to keep their finals hopes alive.
The Koalas are in a somewhat better position and with their recent signings will feel confident they can pick up all three points.
On the other side, should Vesna Milivojevic be in flying form, the Koalas could be in a bit of trouble.
By – Nikola Pozder, NPL NSW Women’s Writer