Round 17 Preview – NPL Women’s NSW
The National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition is the tightest competition in the state, with one point separating the top five teams as we enter Round 17!
Sydney Olympic v UNSW
3pm, Saturday 22 June, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
On Saturday afternoon in a massive day of football at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney Olympic welcome UNSW.
Olympic share top spot on the competition ladder, that despite having played two games less than some of the teams around them.
They’ll need to stay focused, in particular after losing to the then winless Emerging Jets only a couple weeks ago.
Geoff Abrahams steered them back on track, winning a tough away game against the Northern Tigers the following week but the stop-start season with wash outs has also affected them, like on the weekend when their match was washed out against APIA Leichhardt.
UNSW can’t get their season on track, another disappointing defeat on Sunday as the Bulls Academy comfortably took all the points.
Three straight defeats and only one win in the last two months has put them in serious danger of relegation.
APIA Leichhardt v Bulls FC Academy
3pm, Sunday 23 June, Lambert Park
The Sunday action kicks off in style as APIA Leichhardt take on one of the competition’s in form teams at Lambert Park.
APIA had the weekend off with their match against Sydney Olympic washed out and still remain undefeated since their last loss in round two.
They are one of three teams locked at the top of the table on 29 points and would love to make it back-to-back Premierships, this one of their most testing games.
Mona Walker will return from suspension and add strength to the APIA midfield.
The Bulls come into this one seven games undefeated and in excellent form, scoring 16 goals in their last three games, keeping three clean sheets along the way.
Jess Seaman has been instrumental at the back for the Bulls but didn’t return for the second half on Sunday, the visitors will be hoping she is fine to line up.
In these last three games, Amber Luchtmeijer has also been in goal scoring touch, finding the back of the net four times.
Northern Tigers v Football NSW Institute
4pm, Sunday 23 June, North Turramurra Rec Area
At North Turramurra, the Northern Tigers will host the Football NSW Institute at 4pm.
The Tigers snapped a three-match unbeaten run on Sunday with a last gasp winner that kept them in the finals run.
Points here are imperative for the Tigers with the leading pack looking to break away from the rest of the competition.
The Institute have two wins and three losses in their last five games and currently occupy 12th on the ladder, but also have three games in hand on most of the competition.
A win here would lift them just outside mid-table and keep them safe from the dreaded wooden spoon.
Manly United v NWS Spirit
5pm, Sunday 23 June, Cromer Park
At Cromer Park on Sunday, Manly United welcome NWS Spirit to the Northern Beaches.
Manly have suffered recently, going through a horrid run currently, with four straight losses and their last win coming on the 5th of May.
After an incredible start to the season, if they are unable to turn things around soon, finals will slip away from them.
There opponents on the other hand have been in fine form and will look to jump them with victory on Sunday.
Tony Candy’s NWS Spirit are on a four-game unbeaten run and closing the gap on the top four every week.
An intriguing game with much on the line for both teams.
Blacktown Spartans v Illawarra Stingrays
5pm, Sunday 23 June, Blacktown Football Park
On Sunday evening at Blacktown Football Park the Blacktown Spartans take on the Illawarra Stingrays.
Currently bottom of the competition and the relegation battle really heating up, the Spartans need to start recording points.
Their last win came against the Macarthur Rams and they will need more performances like those if they are to survive in the top flight.
The Stingrays come into this game as the new league leaders and Steven Gordon’s team has only one defeat in their last five games.
If they continue at this pace they will definitely be playing finals football and perhaps even lift the Premiership trophy.
Sydney University v Emerging Jets
5pm, Sunday 23 June, Sydney Uni Football Ground
Sydney University will take on the Emerging Jets on Sunday at Sydney Uni Football Ground.
The Students have been struggling with consistency throughout the whole campaign with a real mixed bag of results over the last month.
They lead three times last Sunday but were unable to secure the win, finals football perhaps out of reach now.
What a turn of event for the Jets as they move to three games undefeated.
They’ll be frustrated they didn’t make it three wins from three games on Sunday having lead against the Spartans but enter this one full of confidence.
Gladesville Ravens v Macarthur Rams
5:10pm, Sunday 23 June, Christie Park
The Gladesville Ravens will be at home again this week as the Macarthur Rams come to Christie Park.
Winless in three games, Guillermo Rubio’s Gladesville Ravens will need to turn results around to stay within touching distance of the top four.
They have been unlucky in the last few weeks but have faced some tough opposition and this weekend will be no different.
Macarthur have turned their poor run of form around with two consecutive victories and two clean sheets.
This will be a tough game for Stephen Peters’ team but they need to keep their form going and improving to stay in the hunt for the Premiership.
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By – Nikola Pozder
