It’s Easter Weekend with some blockbusters set for round five in the NPL Women’s NSW competition, spread over Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.
The Macarthur Rams are now clear in front of the rest of the pack, the only team with a 100% record, while one win separates fourth place to 11th place.
Manly United v Blacktown Spartans
At Cromer Park in the first game of the round, the Blacktown Spartans travel to face Manly United on Sunday.
Manly would be very disappointed not coming away with all three but will have to make do with the one they saved last weekend.
They weren’t at their best against Spirit and Tom Hopley will look for a reaction on Sunday.
The Spartans were heavily defeated against the Illawarra Stingrays but they had led in that game.
It was inexperience that perhaps got the better of them too, conceding late goals in the first half and second of that game.
Sydney Olympic v Bulls FC Academy
At the same time on Sunday, Sydney Olympic host Bulls FC Academy at Peter Moore Field.
After being comfortably beaten by APIA Leichhardt, Olympic had to respond against UNSW and that they did.
Over-running their opponents in the second half, once more Demi Koulizakis starring in that one.
They are in second place at the moment and come up against another one of those games where they will show whether or not they are real contenders.
Bulls sit one sport behind their opponents but have had to settle for two draws in their last two games.
There will most definitely be some sore bodies following their gruelling draw against APIA last week.
Isabella Coco-Di Sipio in some good form, scoring a brace against her former club.
Gladesville Ravens v UNSW – Match of The Round
The Match of the Round takes us to Christie Park again, this time for the Gladesville Ravens against UNSW.
After two victories to start the season, the Ravens were beaten by the Champions Macarthur Rams by the odd goal on Sunday.
Despite not coming away with any points, the Ravens put up some performance, creating a plethora of chances but were unable to find the back of the net.
They will need to sharpen up in front of goal ahead of this one if hey want to get back to winning ways.
UNSW suffered their first defeat of the season on Sunday, well beaten by Sydney Olympic.
This will perhaps be their toughest task yet, coming up against a Ravens team that is currently in fantastic form.
Football NSW Institute v APIA Leichhardt
At Valentine Sports Park on Easter Monday, Football NSW Institute welcome APIA Leichhardt.
The Institute recorded their first win of the campaign last weekend, defeating the Northern Tigers 3-1.
They will come into this one full of confidence and can definitely sense an upset against an APIA team that has only won once in their opening four games.
It was a real rollercoaster of emotions for APIA last weekend against the Bulls, leading, then pushing desperately to rescue a point late on.
Controlling the game for large parts, they weren’t able to find the winner and Brad Attard may need to look a little deeper for a penalty taker after incredibly both Ash Crofts and Brinley Gentle missed spot kicks on Sunday.
Macarthur Rams v NWS Spirit
Back at Lynwood Park again, the league leading Macarthur Rams host NWS Spirit on Monday.
The Rams could not have started the season better than they have, four from four and already beginning to make a gap on their rivals.
Stephen Peters’ team would have got some warning though, the Gladesville Ravens making life very difficult for the current Champions, goalkeeper Teresa Morrisey pulling out some incredible saves.
Tony Candy will still be scratching his head as to how his team did not come away with their first win from their clash on Saturday against Manly United.
It’s a long time between drinks for Spirit, with nine days in between the two games.
This young talented outfit needs games and they will be up and ready for this fixture no doubt.
Sydney University v Illawarra Stingrays
At Sydney Uni Football Ground, the Illawarra Stingrays travel to take on Sydney University.
Uni are on a two-game unbeaten run but no doubt will be extremely disappointed they had to settle for a point last week.
Having led twice, they allowed the young Emerging Jets back into the game and in the end, lost two points.
The Stingrays made it two wins in a row after a dominant 5-1 win over the Blacktown Spartans.
Siobhan Edwards continues to find the back of the net, scoring a late brace on Sunday night.
Northern Tigers v Emerging Jets
North Turramurra will see the final game of the round take place as the Northern Tigers host the Emerging Jets.
It’s a battle between 13th and 14th here, both teams desperate to record points.
The Tigers have lost three in a row and will need to turn things around quickly to get back into that finals conversation.
For the Jets, they will come into this one with a bit of confidence, coming back twice against Sydney University to record their first point of the season.
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By – Nikola Pozder