Round 12 Preview – NPL Women’s NSW
As we slowly approach the half way mark of the season, the National Premier League Women’s NSW is ever closer with the battle for the Premiership and finals places already starting to heat up.
Many teams have strengthened during the window, changes have come, how will their fortunes change?
NWS Spirit v Illawarra Stingrays
3pm, Saturday 18 May, Christie Park
The action kicks off Saturday afternoon at Christie Park as NWS Spirit welcome the Illawarra Stingrays.
Enjoying their second win of the season over the weekend, Spirit enter this one with a bit of confidence.
They found the back of the net seven times against the Emerging Jets and coupling that with a well earnt draw against APIA Leichhardt the week before, they’ll feel they can take something from this one.
Ella Abdul Massih marked her return with a brace and will be of great importance to Tony Candy’s team.
Back-to-back losses for the Stingrays has seen them drop out of the Top Four and down to seventh on the ladder.
It was a topsy turvy game last week, the Stingrays equalising twice but running out of energy to do it a third time.
Their exciting news of finally getting a ‘home’ should give the whole club a massive boost and we take this opportunity to congratulate them.
Bulls FC Academy v Macarthur Rams
4:40pm, Sunday 19 May, Northbridge Oval
At Northbridge Oval for the first game of Sunday afternoon, Bulls FC Academy host the Macarthur Rams.
The Bulls didn’t play in the weekend just passed, allowing them time to re-group and prepare for a finals push.
Only two wins since April has the Bulls in eighth place with a gap starting to appear with the Top Four.
A whole host of A-League Women’s players returned for the Rams, most notably Kelli Brown who scored a hat-trick to mark her comeback.
They looked good against the league leaders Manly United, but Stephen Peters’ will want to make sure his team does not lose concentration as they did on Sunday.
Manly United v Sydney University
5pm Sunday 19 May, Cromer Park
On Sunday at Cromer Park, Manly United will take on Sydney University from 5pm.
Despite losing on Sunday to the Macarthur Rams, Manly remain a top of the competition.
Emily Minett continued her good form in front of goal and Alexia Karry-Stahl popped up with one of her own, the perfect debut for the new signing.
Uni had the week off with their game getting washed out on Sunday, so they get another opportunity this week to end their three-game winless run.
We could see some additions to strengthen their squad for the second half of the season which would no doubt help propel this team up the ladder.
APIA Leichhardt v Emerging Jets
5pm, Sunday 19 May, Lambert Park
APIA Leichhardt as things stand are set to finally return to Lambert Park on Sunday night as the Emerging Jets come to town.
If things go according to plan, APIA will be at their spiritual home for the first time this campaign and excitement will be high.
In fifth place, Brad Attard would have expected to be higher up the ladder at this point in the season, but playing away from Lambert has not been easy for APIA.
Paige Haywood and Kiara De Domizio impressed on their debuts for their new club and will be looking to help springboard the side’s results from here.
Still searching for their first win of the season, the Emerging Jets have another difficult task this week.
Josie Allan and Claire Adams were amongst the goals on Sunday and they will be key to create problems for APIA.
Blacktown Spartans v Football NSW Institute
5pm, Sunday 19 May, Blacktown Football Park
The Football NSW Institute travel to Blacktown Football Park to take on the Blacktown Spartans.
Three straight games without a point and the Spartans will need a response in this match.
Blacktown have strengthened since the transfer window opened and will hope that they can use their new arrivals here.
It’s been a long time in between games for the Institute, in fact, almost a month since their 5-0 victory over the Emerging Jets.
A win keeps the Institute above their opponents on the ladder who are on the same points as them.
Sydney Olympic v Gladesville Ravens – Match of the Round
5pm, Sunday 19 May, Peter Moore Field
The Match of the Round takes us to Peter Moore Field on Sunday as Sydney Olympic host the Gladesville Ravens.
Another team that has had a somewhat longer break since their last game, a 3-1 win over the Blacktown Spartans back on the 28th April.
With two games in hand, a win keeps them within touching distance of first place, sitting only four points off Manly United.
A good run of form for the Ravens in the last three games, winning two and recording one draw, along with only one goal conceded.
They have moved into third place on the ladder and a win here will ensure they remain in front of Olympic.
UNSW v Northern Tigers
5pm, Sunday 19 May, The Village Green
UNSW welcome the Northern Tigers on Sunday evening at The Village Green.
Despite only winning one of their last four, UNSW are four games undefeated against some very tough opponents.
They’ll feel as though they could have squeezed more out of all three of their last draws against APIA, Sydney Uni and the Rams.
One of the in-form teams of the competition are no doubt the Northern Tigers who made it seven games undefeated and four straight victories.
Nicola Dominikovich has been a fine signing for the Tigers, finding the back of the net seven times already this season and earning a spot in the Team of the Week.
Don’t miss a game! Subscribe to Football NSW’s YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/footballnsw
By – Nikola Pozder
