Round 18 Preview – NPL Women’s NSW
The National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition has a new leader, again, with some very enticing fixtures coming up this weekend.
Blacktown Spartans v Manly United
3:30pm, Sunday 30 June, Blacktown Football Park
The first game on Sunday afternoon kicks off at 3:30pm as the Blacktown Spartans host Manly United at Blacktown Football Park.
It would seem the Spartans would much rather play the league leaders every week, after knocking off the Macarthur Rams, they did it again, this time defeating the Illawarra Stingrays.
The victory was their first in over two months but have now gone two consecutive games without defeat and confidence will be on the rise.
Manly United’s struggles continue, now extending to eight games without a win and five straight losses.
Finals are getting away from them and they will need a positive result to try and turn things around in the games that remain.
Bulls FC Academy v Sydney Olympic
4:40pm, Sunday 30 June, Northbridge Oval
An important game takes place at Northbridge Oval on Sunday as Bulls FC Academy host Sydney Olympic.
The Bulls were in control over the weekend against APIA Leichhardt but collapsed and lost all three points.
It was their first loss after going seven games undefeated and they will need to bounce straight back this weekend, in a very difficult fixture.
Olympic haven’t been on the park since the 9th of June and their win over the Northern Tigers.
With a busy and tough schedule coming up, this game is the first of those and it would be the perfect way to begin.
APIA Leichhardt v Football NSW Institute
5pm, Sunday 30 June, Lambert Park
The league leaders APIA Leichhardt are back at home on Sunday as they take on Football NSW Institute.
APIA showed fine character to come from two-down on the weekend and come away with all three points.
Sophie Hoban was colossal for them and it seems she is finding some good form for Brad Attard’s team.
They will be without Charlotte Lancaster who was sent off, which gives the opportunity to Kiara De Domizio to come back in the squad.
After an excellent mid-week victory, the Institute weren’t able to repeat their performance, going down comfortably against the Northern Tigers.
With the teams below them starting to find some form, they’ll need to start putting together some results.
Emerging Jets v Northern Tigers
5pm, Sunday 30 June, Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility
The Northern Tigers make the trip north to face off against the Emerging Jets.
With the Jets not playing last weekend, they remain three games undefeated at the moment.
They are in full confidence and will in particular be confident they can get a result at home.
After three games without a win, the Tigers bounced back with two consecutive wins over Manly United and the Football NSW Institute.
Nicola Dominikovich was in dazzling form and her goals have been key in keeping the Tigers close to finals football.
NWS Spirit v Macarthur Rams – MOTR
5pm, Sunday 30 June, Christie Park
The Macarthur Rams are back at Christie Park for the second consecutive week as they take on the NWS Spirit.
Excellent form from Tony Candy’s team who have given themselves the perfect opportunity to play finals football.
To do so, what better test and way to throw your hat in the mix but to beat the current Champions.
The mid-season signings have really lifted the squad and helped them improve, Ella Abdul Massih in particular getting on the scoresheet regularly.
Macarthur needed a quick turnaround of results after some underwhelming performances and they did so, picking up three straight wins in their last three outings.
They needed to come from behind on Sunday to take all three points against the Gladesville Ravens and this one will be another tough test.
Attacking stars Bronte Trew and Kelli Brown both scored which will improve their confidence in front of goal.
Illawarra Stingrays v Sydney University
5pm, Sunday 30 June, Macedonia Park
At Macedonia Park on Sunday, the Illawarra Stingrays take on Sydney University.
After getting to the top of the competition ladder, the Stingrays fell to fourth over night after they lost to the bottom placed Blacktown Spartans.
They will need an immediate response with the top of table being as tight as it is at the moment.
Uni sit in 11th place and their inconsistent results have continued this campaign.
A team with enough quality to hurt any other team in the competition, this could be a banana skin for the Stingrays.
UNSW v Gladesville Ravens
5pm, Sunday 30 June, The Village Green
On Sunday night at The Village Green, UNSW welcome the Gladesville Ravens.
Three straight losses for UNSW now has them in trouble on both the league ladder and club championship.
Points are imperative for them with the relegation battle no doubt going to go right down to the wire.
It’s been an unlucky few weeks for the Ravens on the other side who are winless in their last four outings.
They are in seventh place currently, four points from finals football and if they don’t get points here, play off football could get away from them.
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By – Nikola Pozder
