It’s time for Round 9 action in the #NPLWNSW competition with a top of the table blockbuster headlining the action.
You probably ask yourself, ‘well, when is it not a top of the table blockbuster’, which has a lot of substance to arguably the most competitive league in NSW.
Bankstown City v APIA Leichhardt
The first match of the round takes place at Jensen Park as Bankstown City host APIA Leichhardt.
Coming up against his former team, Matthew Costantini would love nothing more than to get a win over his ex-employers. His team showed character last week to come back from two down.
Something Bankstown definitely have is fighting spirit and they have shown that now in consecutive weeks. What Bankstown need to add to their game is consistency and the ability to find the back of the net.
They create many chances, but haven’t been taking them, the exact reason Daisy Arrowsmith was brought to the club to do.
Their opponents, APIA, they scored a massive victory over the weekend against a depleted league leader. Spencer Prior and his team were desperate for a victory and the three points came.
It was a well-deserved victory but the troubling point for Prior and APIA was the amount of chances that went begging. It was not Sophie Hoban’s night in front of goal and you can see her punishing the next opponent she comes up against.
Arguably the best squad on paper in the league may have just clicked into gear following their best performance of the season against the Spartans.
Illawarra Stingrays v Emerging Jets
It feels like the 30th attempt BUT, this week the Illawarra Stingrays should host the Emerging Jets at JJ Kelly Park.
Nine rounds in and believe it or not, the Stingrays still have not played a home game to the dismay of all involved at the South Coast club.
They weren’t able to back up their win from a few weeks ago and instead were soundly beaten by Sydney University over the weekend. With a couple games in hand, a victory here is imperative if they are to have any finals hopes.
The Jets picked up a confidence boosting point on Sunday, their first points of the 2022 season.
Claire Adams has been the Jets’ best player this year and they’ll need her firing if they are to get anything from this one.
Football NSW Institute v NWS Koalas
At Valentine Sports Park on Sunday the Football NSW Institute will host the NWS Koalas.
The Institute are still winless after five games this season but of their three losses, not one has been by more than a goal.
They are definitely well in matches but have struggled to either score or close games out, being in front and dropping points already three times this season.
Two weeks ago the Spirit won their first match of the campaign and entered their fixture against Olympic full of confidence. That confidence and hope diminished after only 20 minutes as the game went in the favour of Olympic 6-1.
They will need to try and bounce back here with hopes somewhat higher this season and most expecting at least a finals push at Spirit.
Blacktown Spartans v Macarthur Rams
A massive fixture takes place at Blacktown Football Park as the Blacktown Spartans host the Macarthur Rams.
Suffering their first loss of the campaign last week, albeit playing with a depleted line up, Brad Attard’s team will be looking to bounce back this week.
Regardless of Sunday’s result, the Spartans have had a fantastic start to the season and despite all their issues last week, gave APIA a scare at the end. Their issue has been in front of goal and if you take away the five scored against the Jets, they have only scored four goals in six games.
They have the fire power in the team through the likes of Rosie Galea, Ash Crofts and Maja Markovski but they all need to step it up.
The Spartans may have one of the worst attacks in the competition but without a doubt have the best defence with their super star goalkeeper Sally James standing guard. The Rams, well they are potent in front of goal, averaging two goals a game. They will test the Spartans defence and James.
After three matches without a win, Stephen Peters’ team snapped a three-match winless run. The victory coincided with the return of the Rams’ own little magician, Patty Charalambous.
One of Macarthur’s most creative players has been phenomenal this season, involved in more than half of their goals. Japanese import Miku Sunaga has not scored since round 4 and Peters will be hoping she finds form soon.
A win for the Rams would see them jump above the Spartans on the ladder and into the top three.
Manly United v Sydney University
Sydney University travel to Cromer Park on Sunday to take on Manly United.
After eight matches played, Manly tasted defeat for the first time this season on Sunday night. They have only won two games this year, drawing five and that has been an issue for Tom Hopley’s team.
They have been the biggest surprise of the season so far but will need to bounce back to stay in touch with the top five. Emily Minett has been in fine form and one Manly’s best this season, she will need to once more lead her team in what will be a difficult fixture.
You could say that Sydney University have been the quiet achievers of 2022. They are going about their business in their way, losing only once in their opening six games of the season.
Defensively they have been sound, with the second best defensive record in the competition. They are currently on a four-match unbeaten run and only dropped points in that time against Bankstown where they arguably threw away two points.
Holly Caspers has been key for Uni in the front third and now with Rola Badawiya scoring her first goal of the season over the weekend, we could see her playing herself into form.
Sydney Olympic v Northern Tigers
A massive clash is due to take place at Peter Moore Field on Sunday night as Sydney Olympic host the Northern Tigers.
The hosts currently sit in third position, the visitors, in first.
Since their day one defeat against Manly United, Olympic have not looked back, dropping points only once in a match they probably feel they should have won.
Cortnee Vine has not only been Olympic’s best player but potentially the best player in the competition so far in 2022. She will be key operating down the right wing for George Beltsos’ team, not only scoring but also creating goal scoring opportunities for her team.
Despite having played one game less, in some instances two less than their opponents, Olympic are easily the most prolific team in the competition and the Tigers will need to deal with that.
The Tigers are the only remaining undefeated team in the competition. They have had to settle for two draws in their last two outings, dropping a two-goal second half lead on the weekend.
There is no looking beyond Ash Brodigan who has been at the centre of everything good the Tigers do. With Aideen Keane suffering what looked to be a serious injury last week, the Tigers will need to replace their super star winger and have someone else step up.
Should the Tigers lose, Olympic will jump them on the ladder and potentially take top spot on the ladder.
-By NPL NSW Women’s Chief Writer and Commentator Nikola Pozder