Round 14 Preview – NPL NSW Women’s
The National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s competition continues to heat up as we get set for some exciting clashes this week with the second half of the season officially underway.
NWS Spirit v Sydney Olympic
Round 14 action kicks off on Saturday afternoon at Christie Park as second placed NWS Spirit host fourth placed Sydney Olympic.
Tiana Gauci’s team is flying, nine matches without defeat and are the closest team to runaway leaders APIA Leichhardt.
The whole team has been performing well but the off-season recruitment has proved a masterstroke with Mio Nemoto an outstanding pick up in goals, and two former Sydney University stars in Rola Badawiya and Sarah Morgan really hitting their stride.
Olympic will be a massive test for this team and it could be a giant leap toward finals football should they take the spoils.
A shock defeat last week at the hands of the Illawarra Stingrays should spring George Beltsos’ team into action here.
In actual fact, it was a tough week for Olympic who had to back up after defeating the Northern Tigers in a gruelling match on Thursday night.
They will be encouraged with the return of Taylor Ray to the squad along with the Angelique Hristodoulou and Sarah Yatim.
Olympic came away with a convincing 3-0 victory in round one, but Spirit have only lost one other game since then against APIA.
Expect a fantastic football match at Christie Park on Saturday.
Bulls FC Academy v Emerging Jets
The first match on Sunday takes us to Northbridge Oval as Bulls FC Academy host the Emerging Jets.
Only one win in five games for Bulls FC Academy and they have slipped down to seventh on the ladder,
Avaani Prakash has been a standout for the Bulls this season, scoring four goals so far and being an integral part of Jaime Gomez’s side
The Jets continue their search for their first win of the 2023 season.
As said throughout the campaign, scoring goals has not been a problem with Brinley Gentle leading their scoring charts with eight goals.
The problem is at the other end where they have conceded 52 goals in 13 games.
The Bulls came away with the spoils 3-2 in a five-goal thriller last time.
Sydney University v APIA Leichhardt – MOTR
What a tasty fixture we have on our hands at Sydney Uni Football Ground as competition league leaders APIA Leichhardt face Sydney University.
It hasn’t been one of those seasons we’ve become used to by Sydney Uni, instead, they sit in 12th place on the competition ladder.
But there is a lot more riding on this game with records at stake.
With a loss, Uni lose the record of the longest winning streak (currently tied with APIA at 10 matches) over the last decade.
Taren King has returned and the inspirational central defender will definitely bolster Emily Husband’s team.
For APIA, records may be there for the taking, but that isn’t and wasn’t their ultimate goal for 2023 and beyond.
Uni have been the benchmark, not only for first grade results but also for youth and development, APIA is in the process of doing the same with all their teams, including Spencer Prior’s first team, in fine form in the first half of the season.
Over recent weeks, Holly McNamara has shown that she possesses quality at an international level and will be key to a positive result.
APIA dominated when these two met back in March, running out 4-2 victors.
Bankstown City v Blacktown Spartans
Another mouth-watering clash in round 14 takes us to Jensen Park as the Bankstown City Lions host the Blacktown Spartans.
Same as the match above, there is a lot more to this one than meets the eye.
The relegation battle is in full swing and with both these teams near the danger zone, there is a heap riding on this one.
Bankstown coach Matt Costantini has had more time to prepare for this one after his weekend clash with the Football NSW Institute was postponed.
They still have only lost two games all season but sit in eighth place on the ladder with three wins, one of which came against the Spartans.
Susan Phonsongkham has been incredible since arriving at Jensen Park and with some late movement both in and out of the squad in the final days of the transfer window, Costantini feels his squad is ready to have a real crack at the second half of the competition.
Talking about transfers, the Spartans were active themselves, bringing in the likes of Hannah Lowry and goal keeper Sally James.
They showed fine character to come from behind last week against Manly United with Philippine international Carleigh Frilles grabbing a brace on her return to the squad to secure a massive three points.
Two wins in their last four starts have the Spartans gathering some form at the right time.
Bankstown came away comfortable 3-0 winners when they met in round one.
Illawarra Stingrays v Northern Tigers
At Macedonia Park on Sunday, the Illawarra Stingrays host the Northern Tigers.
The Stingrays have definitely lifted their form over the last month, only two defeats in their last six games that has seen them move up to tenth on the ladder.
Sakura Nojima has been a great addition for the Stingrays, dominating games and getting the south coast side into dangerous positions in the front third.
Added to that comes American Sarina Bolden from the Western Sydney Wanderers who already has her first goal and will add bite in the front third.
It has not been easy for Jake Stephenson’s side, decimated by injury and missing key players.
Things are coming back together slowly, Ash Brodigan banging in her first of the season on the weekend and finally someone else to support the fantastic Claudia Cholakian who has been in fine form this campaign.
They snapped a three-match losing streak against a dangerous Ravens side on Sunday and will take confidence from that coming in here.
It was 3-0 to the Tigers in round one but both teams line up very different this week.
Manly United v Macarthur Rams
The Macarthur Rams make the long trip north to Cromer Park as they take on Manly United.
Manly United looked on their way to snapping their winless streak on Sunday before a second half collapse meant they went home empty handed.
It was somewhat disappointing with the run now stretching to nine games, their last win coming in round four.
They have added to their squad with Laura Hughes and Gema Simon set to increase the quality in the team.
The Macarthur Rams are in fine form with only one loss in 10 competition games after a slow start in their first three matches.
Kelli Brown has been sensational, finding her scoring boots over the last month.
The squad has come together well with the new additions, Sham and Leena Khamis only a couple weeks away as well from re-joining the team.
It was an entertaining 2-2 draw back in round one, the Rams rescuing a very late draw and then almost losing it in the final seconds.
Football NSW Institute v Gladesville Ravens – Postponed
By – Nikola Pozder
