With Female Football Week in full swing, we approach Round 11 of the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition.
Only two wins separate the top six, showing just how tight this season’s competition is.
Northern Tigers v Illawarra Stingrays
6:30pm, Saturday 11 May, North Turramurra
The action kicks off on Saturday evening at North Turramurra as the Northern Tigers welcome the Illawarra Stingrays.
Four wins in their last six games and the Tigers have really turned around their slow start to the campaign.
They left it late to secure the points against the Blacktown Spartans last week but got the job done in the end.
Only one clean sheet all season though for the Tigers, something they will need to tighten up on, in particular against a potent Stingrays team.
Having not played over the weekend, the Stingrays last game came two weeks ago against APIA where they were well beaten.
A response is required, in particular if they are to stay in the mix for that Premiership.
Siobhan Edwards had been in good form in front of goals and will be important here against the Tigers.
APIA Leichhardt v UNSW
5pm, Sunday 12 May, Valentine Sports Park
APIA Leichhardt take their home game against UNSW to Valentine Sports Park on Sunday evening.
Much like their game against NWS Spirit on Saturday, APIA’s season has been a little inconsistent.
Nevertheless, they extended their unbeaten streak to eight games with the draw last weekend.
Finding the back of the net has not been a problem for APIA, the problems have come at the other end where they have struggled to shut out opponents.
UNSW will feel they should have come out of their game against Sydney University with more than a point after a solid performance.
Allira Toby said after the game that they need to be more lethal in the front third and it certainly something they will need to work on if they are to get anything from the APIA match.
Emerging Jets v NWS Spirit
5pm, Sunday 12 May, Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility
At 5pm on Sunday at Lake Macquarie, the Emerging Jets host NWS Spirit.
The Jets have shown that they are no pushover at home and will no doubt make it tough for Spirit.
They have drawn two of their last three games at home, something Spirit will need to be aware of coming into this one.
Another draw for Spirit on the weekend, their sixth of the season already after fighting back to draw with APIA Leichhardt.
In a game where they could have got more, they were lucky in the end to escape with a point but will take that confidence into this week where they will expect to secure their second win of the campaign.
Sydney Olympic v Football NSW Institute
5pm, Sunday 12 May, Peter Moore Field
On Sunday evening at Peter Moore Field, Sydney Olympic will take on the Football NSW Institute at 5pm.
Olympic have shown excellent growth this season under Geoff Abrahams, only losing on two occasions.
Demi Koulizakis and Maxine Peak have been excellent pick ups this season for Olympic and have been lethal in front of goal.
The Institute return after a couple weeks off and could be a little rusty coming into this one.
They scored five in their last outing which seems like an age away but showed they will be a difficult team to come up against.
Macarthur Rams v Manly United – MOTR
5pm, Sunday 12 May, Lynwood Park
The Match of the round takes us to Lynwood Park on Sunday evening as the Macarthur Rams host Manly United.
Stephen Peters needs to go back to off season for the last time the Rams didn’t win a game in four weeks.
Their game against Sydney Olympic was washed out last week and they picked up two draws and a loss in the matches leading up to that one.
It won’t get any easier this week as the team that took first place from them arrives in town.
Manly are in fine form and this will come as one of their biggest tests of their Premiership credentials.
Emily Minett is arguably the most in form striker in the competition and will be key here for Tom Hopley’s side.
It promises to be a spectacle and this one can go either way.
Sydney University v Bulls FC Academy
5pm, Sunday 12 May, Sydney Uni Football Ground
At Sydney Uni Football Ground, Sydney University and Bulls FC Academy do battle at 5pm.
Sydney Uni did well to come away with a point last week with Baylee Broomhead once again showing she is a top-class talent.
They’ll need a win here to keep in touch with finals football or risk really falling away from the top four.
The Bulls are in a similar situation, sitting three points outside the top four at the start of the round.
After three straight losses, the Bulls finally got back to winning ways on Saturday, defeating the Emerging Jets 3-2.
Amber Luchtmeijer scored a hat trick and is finding her scoring boots once more as the Bulls look to make their run for the finals places.
Gladesville Ravens v Blacktown Spartans
5:10pm, Sunday 12 May, Christie Park
The Gladesville Ravens welcome the Blacktown Spartans to Christie Park in the final game of the round.
Only a point outside of the final’s places, the Ravens will look to begin a period of consistency where they can make a push into the top four.
They held the league leaders to a scoreless draw on Sunday and a victory here will have them right back on track.
It sent shockwaves across the league a few weeks ago when the Spartans knocked off the Macarthur Rams but they haven’t been able to back it up.
Two straight 3-1 defeats against Sydney Olympic and the Northern Tigers has the Spartans desperate for points in this one.
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By – Nikola Pozder
