It’s going to be a frantic final month in the #NPLWNSW competition with the final playoff births to be decided with seven teams vying for the last three spots.
Football NSW Institute v Emerging Jets
The academies clash for the second time this season as the Football NSW Institute host the Emerging Jets.
It will be a hectic final month for the Institute who will have a number of matches to catch up on following their postponed fixtures.
With a number of players away at the Young Matildas World Cup, it will give the opportunity for the new breed to step up and show what they have along with the addition of the return Junior Matildas who won the u18 AFF Cup.
The Jets are still searching for their first taste of victory in 2022 with not many games left in the season to grab those all important three points.
Having taken their only point of the season off the Institute earlier in the season, it will give them confidence to do the same, or even go a step further on Sunday.
Bankstown City v Northern Tigers
A massive clash is due to take place at Jensen Park on Sunday afternoon as Bankstown City host the Northern Tigers.
The Lions gave themselves hope of playing finals football with a tight 2-1 victory against a tough NWS Spirit outfit. Dropped points here could all but end Bankstown’s finals hopes.
Bankstown have only lost once in their last six outings and that was against the league leaders. Daisy Arrowsmith is starting to find her feet and some form as well which will only play into their favour.
For the visiting Tigers, they could all but tie up their finals place with a victory here on Sunday afternoon.
Despite losing a large number of players, the Tigers have shown both their depth and strength to continue pushing on with the job at hand. Led by the experienced Hannah McNulty and Maddie Bart, they will be confident they can get the job done.
The points were split in a 2-2 draw the last time these two met.
Blacktown Spartans v APIA Leichhardt
Late Sunday afternoon the Blacktown Spartans will welcome APIA Leichhardt to Blacktown Football Park.
Finally Brad Attard’s team managed to snap their eight-match winless run over the weekend. Decimated by injury and international duty, the Spartans have shown character and heart to continue to fight.
Ash Crofts has eight goals for the season and is the Spartans top scorer for the season, a solid return considering the teams difficult run of form.
After a stunning turn or form to give themselves hopes of a premiership push, APIA have now found themselves in a difficult scenario where points are imperative to secure a playoff place.
Three games on the trot without a win, Spencer Prior’s team cannot afford to drop points at Blacktown. With Deborah Anne De La Harpe due to return this week and both Princess Ibinni and Liz Ralston getting important minutes under their belts last time out, there won’t be any excuse.
APIA took the spoils with a tight 2-1 victory at the end of May.
Illawarra Stingrays v Sydney University
It will be the fourth straight home game for the Illawarra Stingrays as they host Sydney University at JJ Kelly Park on Sunday.
Of those three games, they have recorded a win, a draw and a loss. Not the best return and against some of their direct rivals also which would have placed them ever closer to securing a finals birth.
The Stingrays are desperate for points to stay within touching distance of the Top Four but the task could not be any harder. As it has been the case so many times over the years, Michelle Carney’s experience will be needed to help guide this team.
There just seems to be no stopping Emily Husband’s team right now. They are cruising at the top of the table and after notching another victory on Sunday night, they are now 15 games unbeaten.
Much is spoken of the in form Rola Badawiya and her partnership with Holly Caspers but the other end of the field should not be left out either. Courtney Newbon and her defence are almost unbeatable, conceding just six goals all season.
The Stingrays were one of those to score a goal against Uni but it was only a consolation with the league leaders coming away with a 3-1 win.
Manly United v Macarthur Rams
A massive game at Cromer Park will take place on Sunday night as Manly United host the Macarthur Rams.
Manly United are in the middle of a massive seven days, kicking it off with an important victory on Sunday by defeating APIA Leichhardt. It continues on Thursday against Sydney Olympic in a catch up before the Macarthur clash on Sunday.
Yuka Honda has added goal scoring to her excellent all-round performances and Manly are looking even more potent in the front third. Victory for Manly could move them above the Rams on the table and into the top four.
Stephen Peters’ team secured a major three points themselves on Sunday taking all three points away at the Stingrays.
The importance for the Rams to claim victory here is second to none. A victory would put some space between them and Manly and put them closer to finals football. Leena Khamis is hitting her straps at the right time and will be key in front of goal.
It was a victory for the Rams at Lynwood Park earlier in the season, taking the points with a 2-0 win.
Sydney Olympic v NWS Spirit
Belmore Sports Ground will be the venue for the final match of the round as Sydney Olympic host NWS Spirit.
Olympic have a torrid run home with eight games to play in the next month. George Beltsos will need to rotate his team and make sure they are as fresh as possible to get them into the playoffs.
There was no Mackenzie Hawkesby or Sarah Yatim available last weekend and it hurt Olympic in the front third. With Cortnee Vine now back, once all three are in that front line, Olympic will be difficult to stop.
The honeymoon period has come and gone for Tiana Gauci and Spirit. Four games without a win and a difficult task away to Olympic awaits them.
They are in preparation mode for 2023 with finals football now a task too far for them to reach. Spirit definitely won’t lie down though and will try to create as many problems for Olympic as they can.
Sydney Olympic have fine memories from the last time they clashed when they came away with a 6-1 victory at Christie Park.
-By NPL NSW Women’s Chief Writer and Commentator Nikola Pozder