Round 13 Preview – NPL NSW Women’s
The battle for finals football in the National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s competition continues to intensify, while APIA Leichhardt are galloping toward the Premiership.
NWS Spirit v Bulls FC Academy – Match Of The Round
It’s a grudge match at Christie Park as two finals hopefuls clash with NWS Spirit host Bulls FC Academy.
Tiana Gauci’s team comes into this one in good form, undefeated in their last eight games.
They were relentless last weekend against Football NSW Institute, scoring five with four different scorers.
Currently in second place, a win here will increase the gap on their opponents.
The Bulls bounced back in style on Sunday after going winless in their three matches before.
Avaani Prakash has been a standout this season, capping her fine form with a goal against the Blacktown Spartans.
A win for Jaime Gomez’s team will put them level on points with Spirit.
Football NSW Institute v Bankstown City Lions
At Valentine Sports Park on Sunday afternoon the Football NSW Institute host Bankstown City Lions.
The Institute come into this one off the back of a heavy defeat against NWS Spirit.
Lisa Warrener will expect a response from her side, in particular after making an impressive run with some tough back-to-back victories.
Bankstown went too long without having a draw and fittingly, like most of the other six so far this campaign, it was late heart break.
The Lions showed great character to turn a half time deficit around but Matt Costantini will be disappointed his side didn’t take all three points.
Victory is imperative here to stay close to the finals places for both of the teams.
Sydney Olympic v Illawarra Stingrays
On Sunday Sydney Olympic tackle the Illawarra Stingrays at Peter Moore Field.
Their last loss came on the 7th of May and Olympic have been improving week by week but were unable to find a winner against Sydney University.
George Beltsos will be receiving some further additions to the squad in the next week or two and they could be available as early as this weekend.
After a month of strong and positive performances, the Stingrays were dismantled last weekend against the Macarthur Rams.
It won’t be an easy task for the Stingrays but if they are to pick something up on this difficult away day, it will be a great result for the South Coast club.
Blacktown Spartans v Manly United
Two teams desperate for three points clash at Blacktown Football Park on Sunday as the Blacktown Spartans host Manly United.
With two wins so far in the campaign, the Spartans sit in 13th place on the competition ladder.
They were comfortably beaten last week by Bulls FC Academy and will need to bounce back at home, this could be a game where the Spartans feel their acscent up the table can begin.
The winless streak continues for Tom Hopley’s side as Sunday’s dramatic late draw meant they have not won in eight games.
Four draws in that run and some very tight defeats means that they aren’t too far away from a victory, but poor form has seen them drop to 10th place.
If they want to keep their finals hopes alive, this is their last chance.
Emerging Jets v APIA Leichhardt
Bottom placed Emerging Jets host table toppers APIA Leichhardt on Sunday at Lake Macquarie.
It doesn’t get any harder for the Jets than this as they look for their first win of the season.
Coming up against the only undefeated team in the NPL NSW Women’s competition, it is a long shot but stranger things have happened in football.
APIA are now one win away from equalling Sydney University’s 10 match winning streak set in 2022 and have already equalled FNSW Institute’s and Macarthur Rams’ nine in a row from 2014.
They have already equalled Uni’s 12 match unbeaten run from last season but Uni’s 18 unbeaten in 2019 is still some way.
Spencer Prior’s team has been incredible and it would not be fair to single out one player, they are quality all over the park.
Macarthur Rams v Sydney University
On Sunday at Lynwood Park, the Macarthur Rams welcome Sydney University to town.
Only one loss since Round 3 and Stephen Peters’ team is flying at the moment, sitting in third place on the ladder.
They have found their scoring touch and have scored the most goals in the competition, Kelli Brown finding some form of late, scoring four goals in two games, stepping in for the unavailable Leena Khamis.
Five games without a win for Sydney University and a tough away trip against an in-form Rams, it doesn’t get much easier to break the trend happening with the students.
Emily Husband’s team kept their first clean sheet of the season against a potent Sydney Olympic and they’ll take some encouragement from that.
Northern Tigers v Gladesville Ravens
At North Turramurra on Sunday the Northern Tigers host the Gladesville Ravens.
Decimated by injury, the Northern Tigers only managed one victory in May which has seen them drop to seventh place on the ladder.
They were well beaten on the weekend and have another difficult away trip mid-week against Sydney Olympic.
The Gladesville Ravens bounced back in style this week following their defeat to APIA Leichhardt, putting five past the Emerging Jets.
Five different scorers in that one showed the quality and depth the Ravens possess across the park.
A win here and that gap between themselves and the Tigers increases.
By – Nikola Pozder
