You cannot turn your head away from the NPL NSW Women’s competition for one second as we preview round 16.
Blacktown Spartans v Emerging Jets
The Emerging Jets travel to Blacktown Football Park to take on the Blacktown Spartans.
These two come into this one at opposite ends of confidence levels.
Blacktown lost last week and dropped outside the top five.
They’ll need points because the race for finals places is only just heating up and a slip up could cost them dear.
It was some performance from the Jets, playing very well to pick up points from the Stingrays last week and they’ll come into this one ready to disrupt another teams plans.
Manly United v Northern Tigers
Manly United and Northern Tigers face off at Cromer park on Sunday afternoon.
In a derby of sorts, United will look to shock their opponents and inflict some damage on them in the battle for the Premiership.
United are all but out of the finals race after last week’s defeat but the young side will continue to work.
The Tigers also lost last week and it wasn’t a performance we’re used to seeing from them.
The defeat saw them drop to third place on the ladder, two points of Sydney Uni in first.
Sydney Olympic v Illawarra Stingrays
Back to Peter Moore Field for Sydney Olympic as they host the Illawarra Stingrays.
Olympic are still in the hunt for Premiership glory but dropped points could see them fall further behind the leader.
They came away with all three points last week but will still require a step up against the Stingrays.
Not quite the result the Stingrays were after last week on their travels to the Emerging Jets.
Scott Chipperfield will require an immediate reaction from his team who still have hopes of stealing first place.
They’re in another battle also though, as a defeat could see them drop out of the top five.
Sydney University v North Shore Mariners
At Sydney Uni Football Ground, Sydney University welcome the North Shore Mariners.
They’re on top and they’re looking comfortable as the season slowly draws to a close.
Alex Epakis will expect his team to pick up all three points on Sunday.
It wasn’t all doom and gloom last week for the Mariners but this task won’t be easy travelling to the league leaders.
Football NSW Institute v Bankstown City
Valentine Sports Park will see Football NSW Institute and Bankstown City do battle.
Only one win in 10 has seen the Institute fall well off the pace and way off finals football.
Bankstown kept their hopes alive with a fine victory over Manly last week.
Another win on Sunday will put them right in the mix while a defeat could mean the end of their finals dreams.
Macarthur Rams v NWS Koalas
Match of the round takes us to Lynwood Park as the Macarthur Rams host the North West Sydney Koalas.
We knew they’d be back and it only took 15 rounds but the Rams have cracked into the top five.
They will need to work hard to stay there with three teams locked on 26 points and their weekend rivals breathing down their necks.
The Koalas played a good game against the league leaders and deservedly knocked them off last week to record a fine victory.
They’ll need to back it up Sunday and really ramp up their battle for fifth spot.
By – Nikola Pozder, NPL NSW Women’s Writer