Round 16 Preview – NPL Women’s NSW
A fabulous weekend of football awaits us in the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition as the Top Four all do battle with one another.
Bulls FC Academy v UNSW
4:40pm, Sunday 16 June, Northbridge Oval
Bulls FC Academy take on UNSW at Northbridge Oval on Sunday afternoon.
Turning into one of the in form sides of the competition, Bulls FC continue their rise up the ladder, currently sitting in equal fourth place after going six games without defeat.
They have scored 12 goals in their last four games and only conceded two in that same period, clearly tightening the screws at the back and finding their scoring boots at the other end.
Only one win in May and the beginning of June has become just as tough for the newly promoted UNSW.
A response will be required from them as they are in a serious relegation battle with the Blacktown Spartans.
The two could not be separated earlier in the season, a 1-1 draw.
Manly United v Northern Tigers
5pm, Sunday 16 June, Cromer Park
On Sunday evening at 5pm, Manly United host local rivals the Northern Tigers.
Two teams both struggling for form at the moment, Manly United more so.
After a phenomenal start to the campaign, Tom Hopley’s side have only managed two draws in their last seven games, suffering five defeats.
Still only a point away from finals football, they will need to turn their form around sooner rather than later.
After going nine games without defeat, the Northern Tigers have registered back-to-back defeats for the first time since the beginning of the season.
Sitting one place behind United on the table, the Tigers will feel as though a defeat here could be a serious setback for finals football.
Manly took the points in a five-goal thriller last time these two met, a late goal securing United’s 3-2 victory.
Blacktown Spartans v Emerging Jets
5pm, Sunday 16 June, Blacktown Football Park
At Blacktown Football Park on Sunday evening, the Blacktown Spartans take on the Emerging Jets.
The Spartans come into this one on the back of seven straight losses and in desperate need of three points.
They showed glimpses of positivity on the weekend and will need to build on that to take the points here and potentially springboard their season.
Some turn around it has been for the Jets, two consecutive victories and they jumped the Spartans on the ladder.
Clare Adams will look to lead her team mates in a massive battle here which could lead to them extending their advantage over the Spartans on the ladder.
The Spartans were clinical earlier in the season, winning 6-0.
Sydney Olympic v APIA Leichhardt
5pm, Sunday 16 June, Peter Moore Field
It’s first against second on Sunday evening at Peter Moore Field as Sydney Olympic host APIA Leichhardt.
Only goal difference separates the two at the moment, with both locked on the same points, albeit with Olympic having a game in hand.
Olympic have been interesting this campaign, going about their business with minimal noise but staying at the top, or near the top of the table.
Geoff Abrahams will be very pleased with the way the team has conducted themselves so far, bouncing back to beat the Northern Tigers well after a shock defeat to the Emerging Jets the week before.
Maxine Peak got herself amongst the scorers on Sunday and that will do much for her confidence.
APIA continue their impressive undefeated run after being held to a draw last weekend by the Gladesville Ravens.
APIA’s run started with a convincing win over Olympic back in round three and they haven’t looked back since.
Charlotte Lancanster has been in fine form, really catching they eye this season with some great goals and assists.
Macarthur Rams v Football NSW Institute
5pm, Sunday 16 June, Lynwood Park
The Macarthur Rams are at home on Sunday as the Football NSW Institute come to Lynwood Park.
The Rams finally snapped a poor run of form after three straight losses, defeating Sydney University with a solid performance.
Continuity will be important for Stephen Peters and getting the side back on a run, consecutive victories will go a long way to getting them back on track.
The Institute have most definitely improved in the last month but were soundly beaten on Sunday by Bulls FC Academy.
A busy seven days awaits the Institute and if they are able to get any result here, they will set themselves up well.
Sydney University v NWS Spirit
5pm, Sunday 16 June, Sydney Uni Football Ground
Sydney University host NWS Spirit on Sunday evening at Sydney Uni Football Ground.
After a number of games without defeat, Uni fell to the Champions Macarthur Rams on Sunday night.
They looked good in patches with Bianca Galic and Talia Kapetanelis in particular quite dangerous.
Spirit have been in excellent form and have given themselves an opportunity to fight for finals football.
Their hard fought win over the weekend puts them four points outside the Top Four after only losing one match since the beginning of May.
Uni won the first fixture between these to 3-1.
Gladesville Ravens v Illawarra Stingrays – MOTR
5pm, Sunday 16 June, Christie Park
We round the night off with the match of the round as the Gladesville Ravens host the Illawarra Stingrays at Christie Park.
Gladesville sit in fourth place, the Illawarra Stingrays one place and one point above them on the ladder.
The Ravens showed they are a team with great character, coming from two-down against APIA Leichhardt to come away with a point.
Romina Parraguirre was in phenomenal form on that night with Lexie Moreno continuing her great season.
The Stingrays continue their fight for finals football by coming away with a convincing win over direct finals rivals, Manly United.
Only one loss in four and the Stingrays are in good form coming into this one, Sakura Nojima finding her scoring boots along with her sides improved results.
The two could not be separated last time they met, a 0-0 draw the result.
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By – Nikola Pozder
