Round 9 Preview – NPL NSW Women’s
Eight rounds have come and gone in the National Premier League’s NSW Women’s competition, and even though we aren’t at the halfway point yet, expect an interesting turn of events.
The transfer window opened last week and clubs have been strengthened with the arrival of Liberty A-League players, some who have already been thrust into action, others who will hit the field over the next few weeks.
Manly United v Bulls FC Academy – Match of the Round
The action kicks off Sunday at Cromer Park as Manly United take on Bulls FC Academy.
Interestingly, these two teams are at opposite ends of the form charts, the Bulls on a four-match unbeaten run (three wins), while Manly have only one victory in their last five games.
Manly were denied victory in the final minutes last Sunday against Sydney University, having to settle for a point.
They will need to be at the top of their game when the Bulls come to town and will have to start picking up points or risk being left behind in the finals race, in particular against a direct competitor.
The Bulls were menacing last week against the Northern Tigers, relentless in attack and ruthless in defence.
Jessica Seaman has been a standout for the newly promoted side and has really led from the back, while Brazilian star Tamires Souza has found her feet in the top tier and is important in the team’s link up play in the front third.
Emerging Jets v NWS Spirit
At Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility, the Emerging Jets host NWS Spirit.
It was a tough away trip for the Jets last week, conceding six against the 2022 Champions, Macarthur Rams.
The last game the Jets played at home they managed to secure their first point of the season and hold onto their only clean sheet of the season.
Brinley Gentle is the Jets go to, scoring six goals already this season and will be key on Sunday.
Four games without defeat, albeit three straight draws, Tiana Gauci’s NWS Spirit currently sit in seventh place.
In two of those draws though, Spirit led and dropped points in the final third of the match, unable to finish off the result.
Sarah Morgan has been on fire and will no doubt be one to watch out for come Sunday.
Macarthur Rams v APIA Leichhardt
All eyes will be on Lynwood Park on Sunday evening as the Macarthur Rams take on league leaders APIA Leichhardt.
They are the two form teams of the competition and it promises to be a special match between these two.
After a slow start to the campaign, the Rams have come to life, winning four of their last five games.
Strengthened with the return of Alex Huynh in defence, along with a free-flowing attack led by the experienced Leena Khamis, the Rams could hurt APIA.
Spencer Prior’s team is flying and were perhaps taken aback when the Blacktown Spartans made it difficult for them last weekend.
They are strong all across the park, from defence through to attack and the stats show that, amongst the best at both ends of the park.
Rhianna Pollicina has returned to APIA and will add more steel to APIA’s already potent attack.
Both these teams will be strengthened by A-League women’s players and we could see them in action on the weekend.
Illawarra Stingrays v Blacktown Spartans
The Blacktown Spartans will travel south on Sunday as they face the Illawarra Stingrays at Macedonia Park.
Both teams have struggled to kick start their season’s with only three wins between them in the opening eight rounds.
The Stingrays recorded a sole-goal victory against the Football NSW Institute last week and will use that as a confidence booster going into this weekend.
At the other end will be a Spartans team that continually improves week after week.
A win for the Spartans will see them jump their opponents while three points for the Stingrays could see them jump as high as eighth on the ladder.
Gladesville Ravens v Sydney Olympic
The Gladesville Ravens will be at Christie Park this week as they host Sydney Olympic.
Newly promoted but you would not know it, the Ravens have taken the competition by storm and are currently sitting in sixth position.
The Ravens showed real character to snatch a late point against NWS Spirit and have only lost two games all campaign.
A win here will really put them in the mix to be playing finals football, defeating a direct rival.
Olympic have been good this season, but have lost two games in their last three outings.
Their game was washed out last week against Bankstown City, giving George Beltsos more time to work with his new recruits.
Northern Tigers v Football NSW Institute
At North Turramurra Rec Area, the Northern Tigers take on the Football NSW Institute.
Both teams enter this game coming off defeats.
The Northern Tigers were well defeated by Bulls FC Academy last week.
It was only their first defeat of the season and Jake Stephenson won’t be too worried but his expectation will be for a better showing come Sunday.
Captain Hannah McNulty had to leave the pitch with what seemed a head injury, she is very important to this young Tigers team and they will hope to have her back on Sunday.
The Institute also suffered defeat going down 1-0 to the Illawarra Stingrays despite perhaps having the better of the chances.
A win here keeps them within touching distance of the top four, a loss will see that gap increase further.
Bankstown City Lions v Sydney University
The final match of the round takes place at Jensen Park as the Bankstown City Lions host Sydney University.
Bankstown had the weekend off which meant that Matt Costantini had more time to work with his new recruits.
They will be at full strength here and expecting to take all three points.
Incredibly, after seven played matches, Bankstown have a win and a loss to their name with an astounding five draws, their only victory coming in round one.
Uni have been inconsistent so far this season, best described in their last five matches where they have two wins, two losses and one draw.
It won’t be an easy game for them but like their opponents, one they need to win to keep in touch with finals football places.
Last week’s stoppage time draw would have given the team confidence and they will come into this thinking they can take the spoils.
By – Nikola Pozder
