After a wet weekend, we’re ready for round three of the NPL NSW Women’s competition.
After a couple rounds of action, only two teams remain undefeated displaying how open this 2020 campaign is.
Macarthur Rams v Blacktown Spartans
At Lynwood Park on Sunday at 3pm, the Macarthur Rams open the weekend’s action against the Blacktown Spartans.
Many had written the Rams off at the start of the campaign after they lost a plethora of stars and not making the finals last year.
However they pushed the champs to the end in round one and completely dismantled Bankstown City last Sunday.
This will be a big task for Troy Spink’s team and would show they are contenders should they be able to take all three points.
A big point away from home against the Stingrays and an opening round win will have Stephen Peters content with the start his side has made.
A victory against the Rams would definitely put the Spartans in a position to be challenging for the Premiership whereas any dropped points could force them to drop them considerably off the pace in this sprint finish.
Sydney Olympic v Illawarra Stingrays
Sydney Olympic host the Illawarra Stingrays at Peter Moore Field on Sunday.
Undefeated after two games, Olympic will feel they should’ve taken more against the Champions.
After a tight first win, they’ll need Cortnee Vine firing on Sunday once again as well as the experience of Teresa Polias.
The Stingrays showed vast improvements from their round one loss last week and probably could’ve taken more from the game.
They will continue to improve as their fitness levels grow but can’t afford to drop too many more points.
Sydney University SFC v Emerging Jets
Sydney University welcome the Emerging Jets to Sydney Uni Football ground on Sunday.
Two difficult games to start the campaign but the Champs remain undefeated with a win and a draw.
Alex Epakis’ team will look for a routine win on Sunday against a plucky opponent.
The Jets were unlucky against Olympic, collapsing late and almost could’ve grabbed something against Manly.
They’re a talented bunch who will cause problems for all teams this year.
Football NSW Institute v NWS Koalas
At Valentine Sports Park, the Football NSW Institute host the NWS Koalas.
The young Institute side have been doing their best in mixing it with the seniors and continue to develop as a squad week to week.
They have a lot of players who can hurt you and could cause damage to the Koalas on Sunday.
The Koalas put on some display on Sunday, putting last year’s Grand Finalists to the sword with a routine performance.
Nat Tobin and Amy Sayer were enormous in midfield for the girls in yellow but rumour has it that the latter could’ve played her last game in a Koalas jersey.
The silky Sayer will be a major miss and coach Adam Keramea will need to find someone to step in and fill the void.
Northern Tigers v Manly United
North Turramurra will be the venue for one of the derbies of the round as the Northern Tigers take on Manly United.
It was a somewhat shock loss on Sunday for the Tigers after a massive win in round one.
Jason Eagar would not have been happy with his team’s display and will expect an immediate reaction this weekend against one of the competition heavy weights.
They were good pre-COVID-19, they’re good post-COVID-19. Manly are the real deal.
Everywhere you look on that field you face a daunting opponent and with the W-League Golden Boot winner leading the striking line in Remy Siemsen, defences will need to be at their best to keep them out.
Eight goals in two games shows that it won’t be easy to do for anyone.
APIA Leichhardt Tigers v Bankstown City
We’re back at Lambert Park on Sunday as APIA Leichhardt host Bankstown City.
What a start to the season for the Tigers in their history-making inaugural campaign in top flight football.
Currently sitting in equal first, they’ll definitely fancy their chances against Bankstown.
Whatever APIA has done, the Lions have done the opposite.
Zero points and 15 goals conceded from two games is definitely not what Danny Abboud would’ve expected from his side.
What better way to shut down the critics than by putting on a show come Sunday.
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By – Nikola Pozder, NPL NSW Women’s Writer
PHOTO CREDIT: Ann Odong