Round 2 Preview – NPL NSW Women’s

It may seem a little unusual, but Round 2 kicks off with a Saturday afternoon game, before the other six matches take place on Sunday.

Let’s get to this week’s preview. 

NWS Spirit v Macarthur Rams @Christie Park, 3pm 

In the opening match of Round 2, NWS Spirit and the Macarthur Rams will look to register their first victories of the season at Christie Park on Saturday.

It was not the start to the season that NWS Spirit FC coach Tiana Gauci was expecting as her team was well beaten by Sydney Olympic in their opening match.

A few defensive frailties were exposed by Olympic and once Natalie Cash was given her marching orders, Spirit were unable to deal with Olympic’s fire power.

There were positives though for the girls in yellow, they created chances and were probably unlucky not to score. They’ll need some luck when the Champions come to town at Christie Park.

Opponents Macarthur will hope to put in a better performance following their thrilling draw against Manly United in Round 1.

The Rams almost saw the draw slip away in the final seconds, had it not been for some Brianna Clarke heroics in goals.

Stephen Peters will need his team to start better this week and stay disciplined from kick off in the hope of  taking home the three precious points.

It will be a tight clash between these two with both teams desperate to register their first three points of 2023.

Football NSW Institute v Emerging Jets @VSP, 5pm 

The two academies meet in the first game of Sunday afternoon at Valentine Sports Park as the Football NSW Institute host the Emerging Jets.

Mikayla Duong. Remember the name. Two spectacular finishes, one a possible goal of the season contender. Lisa Warrener has found another gem, as the Institute flexed their muscles, winning and keeping a clean sheet.

They looked confident against the newly promoted Gladesville Ravens and will take that confidence into this weekend’s game.

The Jets were the big surprise of the weekend. They didn’t win but pushed a highly experienced Bulls FC Academy all the way and probably deserved more than what they got at the end of ninety minutes.

Josie Allan was their standout performer and they’ll need her to perform again this week. Experience was their downfall last weekend, but they are up against girls their age and that could be their advantage.

These games are always entertaining and expect the same again with goals certainly on the menu along with witnessing some of the stars of tomorrow.

Blacktown Spartans v Sydney Olympic @Blacktown Football Park, 5pm 

For the second straight week, the Blacktown Spartans will be at Blacktown Football Park as they host Sydney Olympic.

It was a tough first day out for Spartans new coach Lauren Phelps. They had a few early opportunities which they failed to capitalise and were made to pay against a ruthless Bankstown City outfit.

You have a sense that as the season progresses, the players will grow more accustomed to what Phelps wants – so expect to see the team progressing slowly but surely.

George Beltsos was a happy man following Olympic’s comfortably victory over the NWS Spirit last Sunday.

Sarah Yatim already looks to be in the mood for a big season as she leads this team from the front, while 16-year-old young gun Lacie Bowling was excellent and definitely a player to watch out for this season.

Olympic will expect they can make it two from two but you can never count out a spirited Spartans side.

Illawarra Stingrays v Manly United @Macedonia Park, 5pm 

At Macedonia Park on Sunday afternoon, the Illawarra Stingrays host Manly United. Two teams that failed to register three points last weekend will be keen to secure their first victory of the 2023 season.

It was a strange game for the Stingrays. They looked great in the contest against the Northern Tigers and even had some fine chances to take the lead, but an own goal started a final ten minute collapse that cost them a point.

The Stingrays did find some positives from that game however and will need to be at their very best for the full ninety-minutes if they are to take any points off Manly United.

Manly coach Tom Hopley would have been disappointed at the end of his game last weekend. In control, two goals to the good and cruising to victory, the Northern Beaches girls let it slip and had to settle for a point.

Aside from their late decline, Manly looked great, creating many chances and Caitlyn Jarvie already looking like she will be the go to target.

It should be a good game between these two with lots of attacking football on offer.

APIA Leichhardt v Bulls FC Academy @Lambert Park, 5pm 

Lambert Park will see APIA Leichhardt welcome Bulls FC Academy in a great clash.

Both teams recorded wins on matchday one and will be hoping for the same on Sunday.

APIA was one of the most impressive sides in the opening round. Spencer Prior’s team scored at the perfect time in the first half and went on and completed the job in the second.

Ash Crofts showed her quality with two very well taken goals, while Estelle Fragalle really bossed the midfield.

They will need to be careful and ensure they’re switched on for the full ninety-minutes. APIA conceded two late goals last weekend and there could have been more had Uni been more composed in front of goal.

It was a fine start to life in the top tier for the Bulls FC Academy side. It was to be a tough away trip at Newcastle but the Bulls managed to come away with all three points.

Avaani Prakash was the standout for Jaime Gomez’s team and is showing that she will be an important player for the Bulls.

Bankstown City Lions v Gladesville Ravens @Jensen Park, 7pm 

Bankstown City Lions will host the newly promoted Gladesville Ravens at Jensen Park on Sunday evening.

One of the competition favourites, Bankstown showed there will be no messing around this season as they dispatched Blacktown Spartans comfortably in Round 1. Matt Costantini’s side scored three on Sunday and could have had a few more had they been more clinical in front of goal.

Siobhan Edwards didn’t get on the scoresheet but was a menace all afternoon and will be on the hunt for her maiden goal in 2023 this weekend.

The Ravens’ start to top tier football was not ideal, going down to two wonder goals against the Football NSW Institute.

Japanese import Keiko Tanaka will be an important figure in the squad and will need to lead the team with all her experience, in particular on this tough away trip.

Bankstown will want to stay at the top of the table and will be keen to take all three points playing in front of their home fans.

Sydney University v Northern Tigers @VSP, 7pm 

Sydney University will take their home match to Valentine Sports Park as they host the Northern Tigers.

A replay of last year’s semi final where Shay Evans was in spectacular form guiding the Tigers to the grand final, this match promises to be a blockbuster affair.

Emily Husband had a handful of injuries and players missing last week which saw the Students fall short.

One of those to return to the pitch will be Stephanie Augoustis after serving her suspension. The striker will have a very important role to play this campaign and many goals are expected from her.

The Tigers come into this one off the back of a three-goal victory. Comfortable it would seem, all their goals came in the last ten minutes against a stubborn Illawarra Stingrays side.

This game will not be easy for the Tigers and Jake Stephenson will be hoping of a repeat performance at the same venue when they met in the 2022 semis.

Expect to see fireworks from both teams tipped to play finals football as well as having a shot at silverware this year.

By – Nikola Pozder