After an excellent round of football, the NPL Women’s NSW competition promises us more thrills in Round 8 action.
Football NSW Institute v Emerging Jets
9am, Sunday 21 April, Valentine Sports Park
The Football NSW Institute and Emerging Jets open up the weekend of top tier women’s football at Valentine Sports Park in an early Sunday morning kick-off.
Last weekend’s one-nil defeat was the Institute’s third straight and they will e desperate to get a win on the board this week.
The Jets were close to their first victory since 2022 but were done by a late Illawarra Stingrays free kick.
The controversial draw will give the young side confidence coming into this game that they can finally break the duck.
Bulls FC Academy v Illawarra Stingrays
4:40pm, Sunday 21 April, Northbridge Oval
At Northbridge Oval on Sunday afternoon, Bulls FC Academy host the Illawarra Stingrays.
It was a tough defeat to take for the Bulls last week and they will need to bounce back to ensure they stay within touching distance of the top four.
They were forced to change their formation last week but should have Liz Grey back to add experience and stability in the back line.
Should the Stingrays defeat the Gladesville Ravens tonight this would be their best start to the season in a number of years.
Just the one defeat so far this campaign, coming all the way back in round one, has them on a five-game unbeaten run.
In saying that, they got away with a point last week against the Emerging Jets and with two games in five days they will need to remain concentrated and disciplined.
Manly United v Sydney Olympic
5pm, Sunday 21 April, Cromer Park
It’s second against third at Cromer Park as Sydney Olympic come to town to take on Manly United.
Another team enjoying a good start to the season is Manly United, in particular their star players Emily Minett and Daisy Arrowsmith.
Tom Hopley made a number of rotations last week but it didn’t affect his side and their performance.
Geoff Abrahams will be very pleased with how his Olympic team look after seven rounds.
They have been tough to stop in the front third, the leagues top scorers with 24 goals, only being shut out in their only defeat of the season APIA.
Macarthur Rams v Blacktown Spartans
5pm, Sunday 21 April, Lynwood Park
The Macarthur Rams host the Blacktown Spartans a Lynwood Park on Sunday evening.
After two straight away games, the Macarthur Rams return to their home ground this weekend.
Only one win in their last three games, the Rams will be keen to start stacking up the wins again.
Miku Sunaga and Bronte Trew are in good form and will be a definite threat for the Spartans defence.
Four straight defeats and 14 goals conceded in that period has the Spartans down in 12th place.
It will be a tough ask for the young side against the Champions but one where they can make a massive statement.
Sydney University v APIA Leichhardt
5pm, Sunday 21 April, Sydney Uni Football Ground
At Sydney Uni Football Ground on Sunday afternoon Sydney University host APIA Leichhardt.
Sydney Uni gave an excellent account of themselves on the weekend and only an unfortunate error by the excellent Baylee Broomhead saw them drop points.
Talia Kapetanellis is hitting form and with goals in consecutive games, will be key here.
APIA avoided going two-goals ahead on the weekend and managed to record their third win of the season.
They haven’t managed to record consecutive wins this season and Brad Attard will feel like this is the moment and time to get on a run.
UNSW v NWS Spirit
5pm, Sunday 21 April, The Village Green
The Village Green will see UNSW welcome NWS Spirit on Sunday afternoon.
Five games without a victory and UNSW and spiralled down the ladder into 11th place.
Only one clean sheet this season, UNSW will need to tighten the defensive screws if they are to turn things around.
Spirit enjoyed their first win of the season last Saturday, it was tough but very well deserved and a long time coming.
The young squad is starting to come together well and Tony Candy will be impressed with their progression.
Gladesville Ravens v Northern Tigers – Match of the Round
5:10pm, Sunday 21 April, Christie Park
The final game of round 8 takes us to Christie Park as the Gladesville Ravens host the Northern Tigers in the Match of the Round.
The Ravens have been a little inconsistent over the last month but managed an important victory away from host last weekend.
They also have a mid-week game against the Illawarra Stingrays down the coast so will need to back up for this one.
Consecutive 2-2 draws for the Northern Tigers against two of the big guns of the competition mean that they are starting to find their feet this season.
The Tigers definitely have great character, in both of those draws coming from two-goals down, can they turn the draw into a win?
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By – Nikola Pozder