Round 12 Preview – NPL NSW Women’s
Only four points separate second place to ninth place on the ladder in the National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s competition after 11 rounds and the battle for the Top Four positions really starts to heat up.
Let’s get to this week’s preview which coincides with the final weekend of ‘Female Football Week’.
Bulls FC Academy v Blacktown Spartans
At Northbridge Oval on Sunday in the first match of the round, Bulls FC Academy host the Blacktown Spartans.
These two come into this one off the back of very different weekend results.
Leading and looking comfortable, the Bulls soon faded as the Macarthur Rams ran away with the victory.
The collapse coincided with the exit of Jessica Seaman who had to be replaced due to injury, the importance of the experienced central defender is second to none for Jaime Gomez’s team and will be a significant miss shall she not be available on Sunday.
Peta Trimis was dangerous throughout the whole game and has been their go-to in the front third, while Avaani Prakash will be important in the midfield battle.
Blacktown Spartans recorded their first win in over a month as they overcame the Emerging Jets 3-1.
The victory would have done a world of good for confidence at Blacktown Football Park and they will look to take that into this week’s game.
Abbey Lemon scored her first of the season and will be key for the Spartans to claim a positive result on what will no doubt be a tough away trip.
Sydney Olympic v Sydney University
At Peter Moore Field on Sunday, Sydney Olympic will host Sydney University at 4:40pm.
It was key for George Beltsos’ team to get off to a good start in the campaign before their Liberty A-League stars strengthened the squad.
They did that and with the addition of the likes of Angelique Hristodoulou and Lucy Johnson, the team has continued to grow in confidence.
A convincing 4-1 away victory at Manly United has them in second place on the ladder and the closest to the league leading APIA Leichhardt.
It has not been the season that Sydney Uni is used to, they sit in 12th place on the ladder and winless in four games.
Things will turn for Uni with the ability that Emily Husband’s team has but they need it to turn soon in order for the top four to not get too far away.
Manly United v Bankstown City Lions
Manly United are at home again on Sunday as the Bankstown City Lions come to Cromer Park.
Tom Hopley’s side are winless since the 2nd of April, making it seven games without victory.
After a fantastic start to the season, Manly have struggled to get themselves back and have slid down the table to tenth position as a result.
They acquired some players late in the transfer window so expect them to start improving, Gema Simon is one of those new faces, getting her name on the scoresheet on Sunday.
If there was one team Manly would not want to face other than table toppers APIA Leichhardt, it would have to be Bankstown City Lions.
It took them nine games to record their second win of the season but have managed consecutive victories, including last week’s tough away trip to North Turramurra.
Matt Costantini’s team has seen some changes over the last week or so and it has worked a treat.
Susan Phonsongkham was again on the score sheet, scoring four in as many games and is one of the most in form players of the league.
Macarthur Rams v Illawarra Stingrays
The Macarthur Rams welcome the Illawarra Stingrays on Sunday evening to Lynwood Park.
One loss in eight games has seen Stephen Peters’ side shake off the early poor form in the season, moving into fourth position following Sunday’s victory over Bulls FC Academy.
They did it without the Khamis sisters, Laura Murtagh and a late failed fitness test for India Breier meant she also missed out.
Murtagh is in a race against the clock to play her final game in Rams colours this season as the club prepares to farewell the fantastic servant who is moving to Ireland for work placement.
The Stingrays have improved over recent weeks, first defeating the Blacktown Spartans, before pushing APIA Leichhardt all the way and finally on Sunday earning a 1-1 draw against NWS Spirit.
After conceding 17 goals in their first seven games, the Stingrays have only conceded two in their last four fixtures.
The tighter defence has seen them record seven points in the last month, three more than what they did in those first seven matches.
NWS Spirit v Football NSW Institute
At Christie Park on Sunday night, NWS Spirit host the Football NSW Institute.
Tiana Gauci’s team is flying high in third position after 11 rounds and the mood at Christie Park will be very good.
They will be disappointed that they failed to take all three points last weekend but a point away down the south coast against the Illawarra Stingrays is respectable.
Star signing Rola Badawiya got her first goal in Spirit colours and will look towards hitting the back of the net once more.
Hasn’t the Institute turned up in the last few weeks!?
You have to think it has something to do with the return of Sienna Saveska who has been absolutely on fire, scoring three goals in two games, one of those an absolute belter.
A win here will put Lisa Warener’s team right in the finals mix and send a real message to the competition.
APIA Leichhardt v Northern Tigers – MOTR
We go to Lambert Park for the Match of The Round this Sunday as APIA Leichhardt host the Northern Tigers.
Impressive. Unstoppable.
The two words to best describe this free-flowing APIA Leichhardt outfit orchestrated by Spencer Prior.
They put three past the most stubborn defence in the competition on Sunday (Gladesville Ravens), with Holly McNamara showing why she is one of the best players in the league with a five-star performance.
Defensively Natasha Prior commands the team with the midfield trio of Fragale-Hoban-Pollicina dominating.
The Tigers arrive at Lambert Park off the back of a tough home loss against Bankstown City.
So far they have had a solid start to the campaign and a win in their catch up game will have them in the top four.
Captain Hannah McNulty made her return off the bench last week and she will be a welcome addition to Jake Stephenson’s team in this tough away clash.
Gladesville Ravens v Emerging Jets
At Christie Park on Sunday evening in the final match of the round, the Gladesville Ravens host the Emerging Jets.
The Ravens were defeated last week against the league leaders APIA Leichhardt but won’t be too disheartened after that loss.
They’ve had an excellent season so far and have added some quality players to their roster as we approach the second half of the season.
The Jets continue to battle but are still unable to score their first win of the season after 11 rounds.
It won’t be any easier against the Ravens this weekend but definitely have the ability to hurt their opponents in the front third.
By – Nikola Pozder
