There is a new leader in the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition as we move into the second half of the season.
Manly United dropped from first to third, Macarthur Rams from second to fifth, while APIA Leichhardt went in the other direction and sit a top of the league ladder.
UNSW v Football NSW Institute
8pm, Friday 31 May, The Village Green
The action kicks off Friday night at The Village Green as UNSW welcome the Football NSW Institute.
UNSW come into this one off a fantastic and very important 2-0 victory over the Blacktown Spartans last weekend, direct rivals in the relegation battle.
New signing Abbey Lemon got started for the Students in fine fashion with a goal and will be an excellent addition to the squad.
The Institute could not make it three wins in a row as they were defeated by NWS Spirit on Saturday.
With three matches in hand, the Institute may see this as an opportunity to creep up to their opponents and overtake them on the ladder in the next few weeks.
Bulls FC Academy v Blacktown Spartans
4:40m, Sunday 2 June, Northbridge Oval
At Northbridge Oval on Sunday afternoon, Bulls FC Academy open the action up as the Blacktown Spartans travel north.
After three straight defeats, Bulls have now made it three games undefeated and are quickly closing the gap on the teams currently sitting above them in finals contention.
Jess Seaman’s rare left footed strike gave them all three points on a difficult away trip against the league leaders Manly United last week at Cromer Park.
They need to use that victory as a springboard as the chase begins.
Still the Spartans search for points since their remarkable victory over the Macarthur Rams back in April.
They have strengthened well through the transfer window and it will take time for the squad to gel, the only issue there is, the Spartans are starting to run out of time.
Manly United v APIA Leichhardt
5pm, Sunday 2 June, Cromer Park
Manly United host APIA Leichhardt in an intriguing match up at Cromer Park on Sunday evening.
Four games without a victory has seen Manly drop off the pace and lose first place, what better time for a reaction than against the new league leaders and reigning Premiers.
Further worry for Tom Hopley’s team is that of those last four games, three have been at Cromer Park.
APIA perhaps haven’t played to the best of their ability yet but are in first place, raising the question, what happens once it all clicks?
They battled and worked hard on Sunday against the Macarthur Rams and were worthy winners, Charlotte Young a stand out at the back with Estelle Fragalle showing us she can even score when called upon.
The inner west side will be looking for some revenge after losing the first game of the season to Manly, 1-0.
Emerging Jets v Sydney Olympic
5pm, Sunday 2 June, Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility
Sydney Olympic round off their tough week with a long away trip to Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility to face off against the Emerging Jets on Sunday.
The Jets were disappointing on Sunday, losing 6-0, still looking for their first win of the season.
Olympic have been in excellent shape this season, only two defeats and Geoff Abrahams’ team sit fourth with two games in hand on the teams above them.
They secured a massive three points down the south coast on Sunday and will need to back up for this one after they face another difficult match against the Macarthur Rams on Thursday night.
Macarthur Rams v Illawarra Stingrays
5pm, Sunday 2 June, Lynwood Park
At Lynwood Park on Sunday evening, the Macarthur Rams host the Illawarra Stingrays in an important match for both sides.
Only one win for the Champions in their last six starts, something Stephen Peters will want to rectify as soon as possible.
It will take time for the team to gel with a number of Liberty A-League Women’s players coming back to Lynwood Park.
They face a tough task away mid-week against Sydney Olympic and the difficult run of fixtures will be a real test of character for the Rams.
A small dip in form for the Illawarra Stingrays over the last month, just one win in their last four games.
Sienna Saveska and Brianna Edwards have already shown their quality since pulling on the Stingrays kit and will be key for the south coast side.
In a five-goal thriller, the Rams came away with the spoils, expect another entertaining, high scoring fixture here.
Sydney University v Gladesville Ravens
5pm, Sunday 2 June, Sydney Uni Football Ground
Sydney University welcome the Gladesville Ravens on Sunday evening to Sydney Uni Football Ground.
Uni are currently three games undefeated but haven’t won since the 14th of April when they beat the Blacktown Spartans.
They had some difficult fixtures over the past few weeks but showed the quality they possess and how potent they can be.
The Ravens are flying at the moment and find themselves in second place on the competition ladder.
Guillermo Rubio’s team put 6 passed the Jets on Sunday, Bella Habuda finding her scoring boots and picking up a hat-trick.
All of Ravens attacking super stars found the back of the net and that will be a confidence boost for them.
NWS Spirit v Northern Tigers – Match Of The Round
7pm, Sunday 2 June, Christie Park
The final game of the round takes us to Christie Park as NWS Spirit take on the Northern Tigers in the match of the round.
This will be the third straight home game for NWS Spirit in what has so far been a solid enough campaign for Tony Candy’s team.
A number of youngsters have had the opportunity to shine, coupled with the recent acquisitions of Sarah Morgan, Ella Buchanan, Ella Abdul Massih and Madeleine Wright, Spirit could be dangerous in the second half of the campaign.
The Tigers had to come back twice last week to keep their undefeated run going, stretching to nine games!
As mentioned previously, finding the back of the net is no problem for the Northern Tigers, it’s defensively where they have been unable to shut out opponents, currently with the worst defensive record in the top half of the table.
The spoils were shared last time out between these two as the Northern Tigers over came a two-goal deficit.
