Round 3 Preview – NPL NSW Women’s

Round 3 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s top tier competitions takes shape this Sunday with some exciting encounters set to take shape albeit with one game postponed; Sydney University SFC v Sydney Olympic clash due to players involved in the recent W-League Grand Final being given a rest.

Some juicy fixtures open the round with the first match of the afternoon taking us to Blacktown Football Park.

Blacktown Spartans v Macarthur Rams – Sunday @Blacktown Football Park, 3pm 

Two undefeated teams clash at Blacktown Football Park as the Macarthur Rams travel to face the Blacktown Spartans.

It wasn’t easy for the Spartans in their first match of the season last week, pulling through with a tight 1-0 victory away from home.

With their W-League stars slowly returning to the squad, the Spartans will be a serious threat in 2021 and Brad Attard will make sure his team remains disciplined.

What a start for the team from Lynwood Park. Two wins from two starts has them in a great position at the beginning of the season.

Lead by influential skipper Renee Rollason with experienced heads Kylie Ledbrook and Leena Khamis still there, the Spartans will need to be aware of the threat they possess.

It took them till very late to break down the Jets last week and they could face a similar problem this weekend.

Manly United v APIA Leichhardt – Sunday @Cromer Park, 3pm 

At Cromer Park an intriguing affair will take place as the Champions Manly United host Apia Leichhardt.

Both sides are less their W-League stars as they slowly return to their respective clubs.

Manly have played their full quota of possible games and have won both matches. Last week would’ve seen confidence sky rocket after an incredible two-goal turnaround.

A win here would really reaffirm Manly’s Premiership credentials.

APIA enter the season with high hopes and a strong squad.

They’ll be without a number of their superstars but have enough quality to make for an interesting match.

Illawarra Stingrays v Northern Tigers – Sunday @JJ Kelly Park, 3pm 

The Northern Tigers travel south for their first match of the season against the Illawarra Stingrays at JJ Kelly Park.

It was a hard fought victory for the Stingrays last week at VSP but their experience helped them to their first win of the season.

It will be a somewhat more difficult clash this week as they host a tricky Northern Tigers outfit.

The Tigers finally get to put on their boots and run out onto the pitch for a competitive clash.

Hopes will be high at North Turramurra this season after two consecutive successful campaigns and they’ll feel this is their year.

A victory against the Stingrays will be the perfect start to 2021 for Jason Eagar’s squad.

Emerging Jets v FNSW Institute – Sunday @Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility, 3pm 

The clash of the academies will take place at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility as the Emerging Jets host the Football NSW institute.

The Jets put on some performance against the Rams last week.

They were unlucky to go down but have made some big improvements and will definitely be a dangerous team this season.

Jaime Gomez’s team will be disappointed with not taking anything from last week’s defeat.

Three points will be imperative for them when they travel north.

Bankstown City v North West Sydney Koalas – Sunday @Jensen Park, 3pm 

The bottom two face off at Jensen Park on Sunday as Bankstown City hosts the North West Sydney Koalas.

Neither side have picked up any points after round two with both coming very close in the previous round.

Bankstown were good value but couldn’t take their chances and were punished late.

Matt Costantini will keep plugging away with his team as they continue to improve.

The Koalas had three points in the bag after 45 minutes last week. Football matches go for 90 and in the second half, the Koalas collapsed.

Adam Keramea will have the tough job of picking up his side and talking about the good things from the first 45.

Sydney University v Sydney Olympic – Sunday @Sydney Uni Football Ground, 3pm POSTPONED

By: NIKOLA POZDER, CHIEF NPL NSW WOMEN’S WRITER