Round 13 Preview – NPL Women’s NSW

Four points separate the first seven teams in the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition with the final round of the first half of the season upon us.

Northern Tigers v Sydney University

6:30pm, Saturday 25 May, North Turramurra Rec Area

The action kicks off on Saturday evening at North Turramurra.

Five wins in a row and eight games without defeat, the Northern Tigers have climbed to fourth position on the ladder.

They’ve added some Liberty A-League spark as well, Hannah McNulty and Izzy Gomez returning home to name a few arrivals.

The Tigers have been free scoring but have only managed to keep one clean sheet over this fantastic run, something they’ll need to tighten.

At the other end of the form table are Sydney University who have been searching for victory since the 14th of April.

They have added Emma Ilijoski and Tess Quilligan to their roster and their experience will add to the squad.

It will be a tough game for the Students but they have shown that there is a lot of quality throughout that squad.

Manly United v Bulls FC Academy

5pm, Sunday 26 May, Cromer Park

Sunday’s football starts at 5pm from Cromer  Park as Manly United welcome the Bulls FC Academy.

For the first time this season, Manly have put together a winless run, now stretching to three games without a win.

Kahli Johnson returned to Cromer Park on Sunday to rescue a point for Manly against Sydney University and they will need her firing again.

A team with considerable depth, Tom Hopley may need to mix things up if they are to stay on top of the competition.

Another team that has strengthened significantly over the last week or so are the Bulls FC Academy who will need to get on a run soon.

The dynamic duo of Peta Trimis and Avaani Prakash lead a long list of names putting on the Black and White in the second half of the season.

Trimis returning in style, scoring for the Bulls on Sunday in her return.

Blacktown Spartans v UNSW FC

5pm, Sunday 26 May, Blacktown Football Park

A game with much on the line on Sunday evening at Blacktown Football Park as UNSW travel to take on the Blacktown Spartans.

Since their win against the Macarthur Rams, the Spartans have recorded four straight defeats in the league.

They currently sit second bottom in the league and a win here would only put them a point off their opponents.

Massive news coming out of Blacktown was the signing of the Dos Santos sisters, Jynaya and Alyssa, they will hope they can propel their season.

Also winless in four, UNSW are desperate to get back to winning ways.

They have recorded four draws over that time and have most definitely deserved more, something they will be keen to rectify.

Tiana Robertson returns to the club, joined by Abbey Lemon who will add spark in the front third.

This game feels like it has much more on the line in terms of relegation also, with these two occupying the bottom two places on the club championship table.

Macarthur Rams v APIA Leichhardt – MOTR

5pm, Sunday 26 May, Lynwood Park

What a game we have in store at Lynwood Park in the match of the round as the Macarthur Rams host APIA Leichhardt.

Both teams have recruited well and brought back a number of players that have already donned their respective club jerseys.

A somewhat inconsistent last month for Stephen Peters’ team, a defeat and a win along with two draws for them.

With a number of faces arriving, there will be a period of adaptation for the Rams but the Rams coaching staff will hope they can turn a 60-minute performance to a 90-minute one.

Madison McComasky, Mel Caceres, Beth Gordon, Tegan Bertolissio and Kelli Brown are all amongst the returnees to Lynwood, while keeper Kiara Rochaix is another new arrival.

Consistency issues also seem to be a problem for APIA, two wins and two draws in their last four games and they no doubt would have expected more.

They had to come from behind in their last three games, something Brad Attard will need to address to his team.

Sophie Hoban, Tash Prior and Claudia Cicco return to APIA, while Paige Haywood and Kiara De Domizio wear the Maroon jersey for the first time.

De Domizio has been in fine form for her new side, scoring in both games she has played in, coming off the bench in each of them.

Gladesville Ravens v Emerging Jets

5pm, Sunday 26 May, Christie Park

The first of a NPL Women’s NSW double header at Christie Park sees the Gladesville Ravens face the Emerging Jets.

The Ravens are enjoying a good second season in the top tier, currently occupying 4th place on the ladder, three points from the league leaders.

Defensively they look disciplined with Kim Davey leading from the back and lethal in the front third with Lexie Moreno and Bella Habuda.

Deborah Anne de la Harpe has also joined to strengthen the team in their push for finals football.

The Jets pushed last season’s premiers APIA Leichhardt all the way last weekend and not for the first time this season, have come very close to recording that long awaited victory.

Claire Adams, Zoe Karipidis and Josie Allan can change a game in the blink of an eye and could be key here to surprise the Ravens.

Illawarra Stingrays v Sydney Olympic

5pm, Sunday 26 May, Macedonia Park

Down the south coast on Sunday evening, the Illawarra Stingrays host Sydny Olympic at Macedonia Park.

After consecutive defeats, the Stingrays showed their quality with a character building away win against NWS Spirit.

The win keeps them only one point off the top four and with a number of new faces arriving at the club, in particular Sienna Saveska and Brianna Edwards, you feel as though the Stingrays will be able to push on from here.

Sydney Olympic looked solid last weekend without creating the opposition too many problems, resorting to the individual brilliance of top scorer Demi Koulizakis.

The introduction of Taylor Ray to the squad can only help Olympic’s premiership push and will give Geoff Abraham’s team much needed experience in midfield.

NWS Spirit v Football NSW Institute

7pm, Sunday 26 May, Christie Park

The action rounds off at Christie Park on Sunday night at 7pm as the NWS Spirit welcome Football NSW Institute to Macquarie Park.

Many inconsistencies for this young team so far this season, but they are improving and learning as the season progresses.

Adding the likes of Ella Abdul Massih and one of last year’s best players Sarah Morgan to the roster, they will be much stronger and more experienced.

Two consecutive victories for the Institute despite them coming almost a month apart from each other.

Adelaide Wyrzynski has started finding her scoring boots after once more scoring on the weekend.

This promises to be a good game between two quality young teams.