The gap at the top of the National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s competition has begun to widen as APIA Leichhardt continue their unbeaten start to the 2023 campaign.
Incredibly, after 10 rounds of football, only six points separate second place to ninth with the fight for finals football already heating up.
Football NSW Institute v Sydney University
The action kicks off at Valentine Sports Park as the Football NSW Institute host Sydney University on Sunday.
It was some performance and it was some result by Lisa Warrener’s side on Sunday against Bulls FC Academy.
After five games without a victory, it all came together, coinciding with the return of ace midfielder Sienna Saveska who found herself on the scoresheet.
They welcome last year’s Premiers who are struggling to get their season rolling.
Uni looked on their way to making it four games without defeat before the Gladesville Ravens came and spoiled the party.
There hasn’t been a game where Uni haven’t found the back of the net in, but also, are yet to keep a clean sheet in 2023.
They lie in 10th place and are desperate for points here to stay on the hunt for finals football.
Emerging Jets v Blacktown Spartans
The Blacktown Spartans travel north on Sunday afternoon as they face the Emerging Jets.
It was another tough result to take for the Emerging Jets on Sunday, suffering their ninth loss of the 2023 campaign.
They’ve been commended by many of playing good football, free flowing attacking football, but have been unable to shut the gates and stop the goals from flowing into their net.
They will fancy their chances against the Spartans, in particular at home.
The Spartans looked better structured on Sunday, in particular in the second half of their clash against the Northern Tigers.
Illawarra Stingrays v NWS Spirit
The in form NWS Spirit travel to the South Coast on Sunday as they take on the Illawarra Stingrays at Macedonia Park.
Tiana Gauci’s team are climbing the ladder and after last Sunday’s win against Manly United, find themselves in fourth place.
They have not lost a match since the 1st of April when the league leaders APIA Leichhardt beat them by the odd goal.
The Spirit side are performing well at the moment and will be confident they can take the spoils on Sunday.
For the home side, the Stingrays sit in 12th position on the ladder, in saying that, a victory could propel them as high as 8th.
They went down to APIA Leichhardt last Sunday but didn’t sell themselves short, in fact, probably unlucky they hadn’t taken the lead before the break.
There were many positives to take from Lambert Park and the Stingrays could use that as a confidence booster coming into this one.
Manly United v Sydney Olympic
On Sunday evening, Manly United will host Sydney Olympic at Cromer Park.
Manly can’t buy a win at the moment and are currently on a five-match winless run, which has seen them drop down to 11th on the ladder.
They have been busy in the transfer window this week trying to strengthen the squad and will be pleased to welcome some new additions.
Olympic had a good start to the campaign, they’ve added some considerable talent to the squad and are looking strong.
Angelique Hristodoulou has returned, announcing herself with two goals in her last two games.
Olympic’s tough schedule continues this midweek when they face the Northern Tigers on Thursday before Sunday’s game.
Macarthur Rams v Bulls FC Academy – Match of the Round
The match of the round takes us to Lynwood Park on Sunday for the first ever local derby as Macarthur Rams host the Bulls FC Academy.
After a slow start to the season, Stephen Peters’ side have only lost once in the last six games and are in decent form.
Miku Sunaga rescued a last gasp point against Sydney Olympic where the Rams had to come back from two-goals down.
Bulls FC Academy were on a fine run of form, going five games without defeat before their loss on Sunday to the Football NSW Institute.
Peta Trimis was in amongst the goals again, scoring her fifth of the campaign but it was at the other end where the problems arose for a team that had one of the best defensive records in the competition before this game.
The Institute put three passed them and Jaime Gomez will need to ensure they tighten up defensively again against the second best attack in the league.
Gladesville Ravens v APIA Leichhardt
The Gladesville Ravens entertain the league leaders APIA Leichhardt FC at Christie Park on Sunday evening.
They have taken the competition by storm and by no stretch of the imagination are the most welcome surprise of the 2023 season.
The Ravens continue to impress every week, after taking the scalp of Sydney Olympic, they came from behind to beat Sydney University on Sunday as well.
In third place, they are doing well above expectations and would really set the cat amongst the pigeons with a victory against a flawless APIA side at the moment.
Ten games in, ten games without defeat and first place on the ladder.
APIA remain the only unbeaten team in the NPL NSW Women’s competition and showed last Sunday that even when things aren’t going their way, they are still good enough to take the spoils.
Mini Pollicina scored one of the goals of the season (check it out if you haven’t) and has been a very welcome addition to Spencer Prior’s team, as has been the return from injury of the commanding Tash Prior in defence.
Northern Tigers v Bankstown City Lions
A very intriguing match will end our round 10 action at North Turramurra as the Northern Tigers host Bankstown City Lions.
The Tigers needed less than 45 minutes to get the job done against the Blacktown Spartans last weekend and were good value for their win.
Te Reremoana Walker, Claudia Cholakian and Emilia Murray were all standouts in their victory, but they may need the likes of Shadeene Evans to also step up in what will be a tougher task.
They have the midweek clash against Olympic to deal with and with a lighter roster with various injuries, Jake Stephenson will hope to keep his players fresh and raring to go.
Bankstown finally won a game for the first time since round one, a very welcome three points for Matt Constantini’s team.
Susan Phonsongkham has been an excellent signing for the Lions and already has three goals to her name in as many games.
They come into this one full of confidence and need the win to get their season back on track.
By – Nikola Pozder