Round 9 Preview – NPL Women’s NSW

For the first time since Round Three, we have a new league leader in the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition ahead of Round Nine.

Northern Tigers v Bulls FC Academy

6:30pm, Saturday, 27 April, North Turramurra Rec Area

At North Turramurra Rec Area in the first match of round nine, the Northern Tigers welcome Bulls FC Academy.

Four games without defeat for the Tigers and after a slower than usually start to the season, it seems as though they have started finding their feet.

A statement victory against the Gladesville Ravens last week saw them shoot up the ladder and they will look to continue moving in that direction.

Two straight defeats for the Bulls Academy and they are moving in the opposite direction to their opponents.

With Liz Grey being substituted at half time on the weekend when scores were locked at 0-0, the Bulls obviously struggled to hold out without their experienced defender.

Should the Bulls lose, the Tigers will move above them on the ladder.

APIA Leichhardt v Illawarra Stingrays – Match of the Round

4pm, Sunday 28 April, Leichhardt Oval

APIA Leichhardt are back at Leichhart Oval on Sunday afternoon in the Match of the Round as they host the high-flying Illawarra Stingrays.

Six games without defeat for Brad Attard’s team and they are slowly starting to remind us of the APIA side we saw take out the Premiership.

They showed great character on the weekend having trailed by two-goals to come back and take all three points.

Over the years the Stingrays have been somewhat a bogey team for APIA so not only do they need to contend with their but history as well.

In on of their best seasons in years, the Stingrays currently occupy second place on the competition ladder.

Only one loss this season, coming all the way back in round one, the Stingrays are seven games without defeat.

Victory here for the Stingrays would extend their points advantage over APIA and not just further underline their finals credentials but also keep them in the Premiership race.

Sydney Olympic v Blacktown Spartans

5pm, Sunday 28 April, Peter Moore Field

Sydney Olympic take on the Blacktown Spartans on Sunday evening at Peter Moore Field.

Suffering only their second defeat of the season, Sydney Olympic missed the opportunity to go top of the table last weekend.

They were comprehensively beaten and shut out by Manly United and will look to bounce back immediately, they’ve shown they can do it already this season.

The Spartans come into this one having secured the shock of the season so far, defeating the Champions 3-1 and bringing their incredible unbeaten run to an end.

Christa Oliva scored a brace last week to take her season tally to four and lead the club’s scoring charts alongside Alyssa Ng Saad, they’ll be the dangers for Olympic here.

Emerging Jets v Manly United

5pm, Sunday 28 April, Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility

Manly United travel north on Sunday as they face the Emerging Jets at Lake Macquarie.

After almost picking up their first win in two years a couple weeks ago, the Jets were humbled by the Football NSW Institute on Sunday morning.

The task is tougher this week when the league leaders come to town but they generally are better at home.

What a season so far for Tom Hopley and Manly United who sit a top of the table after eight rounds.

Emily Minett has scored in six consecutive games, picking up seven goals in that period and is the in-form striker in the competition at the moment.

Macarthur Rams v UNSW

5pm, Sunday 28 April, Lynwood Park

At Lynwood Park on Sunday evening, the Macarthur Rams host UNSW.

The Rams’ incredible unbeaten run came to a shocking halt last weekend as they were beaten at home by the Blacktown Spartans.

Stephen Peters will expect his team to bounce back immediately and focus again on re-taking the lead at the top of the table.

UNSW will come into this one full of confidence having snapped a five-game winless run with a tight victory over NWS Spirit.

Marcella Santos stood out in that one, scoring a goal and finding herself in the ‘Team of the Week’, they’ll need more of that this weekend.

Gladesville Ravens v NWS Spirit

5:10pm, Sunday 28 April, Christie Park

It’s derby day at Christie Park as the Gladesville Ravens host NWS Spirit in the final match of the round.

Just the one victory in April for the Ravens has seen them drop somewhat off the pace, dropping down to sixth place on the ladder.

They might feel they should have gotten more from last week’s game against the Tigers but will need to tighten the defensive screw in order to find some consistency again.

They are a young squad so inconsistency is expected with Spirit this campaign and after securing their first win of the season two week’s ago, they couldn’t back it up on the weekend.

At Christie Park Spirit has only lost once this season and despite this game not being a ‘home’ match, it shouldn’t change the way they approach this one.

POSTPONED – Sydney University v Football NSW Institute

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By – Nikola Pozder