Round 20 Preview – NPL Women’s NSW

Round 20 of the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition kicks off on Sunday with a blockbuster seven games scheduled.

Macarthur Rams v Northern Tigers – MOTR

5pm, Sunday 14 July, Lynwood Park

The match of the round takes us to Lynwood Park on Sunday evening as the Macarthur Rams take on the Northern Tigers.

Five straight wins has lifted Stephen Peters’ team back into the Premiership race, keeping four clean sheets in that period.

India Breier has found a bit of fire in front of goal and comes into this game off a four-goal haul against the Emerging Jets.

After improving their form, the Tigers have hit somewhat of an inconsistent patch, three wins and three losses in their last six outings.

Points are imperative here for the Tigers with Sydney Olympic sitting in fourth with a couple games in hand on them.

Bulls FC Academy v NWS Spirit

4:40pm, Sunday 14 July, Northbridge Oval

The actions kicks off Sunday at 4:40pm as Bulls FC Academy host NWS Spirit at Northbridge Oval.

It is perhaps the final opportunity these two have to keep their finals hopes alive and victory will be imperative for both.

Bulls have lost three on the bounce and were comfortably beaten on Sunday by the Gladesville Ravens.

They will need to hope Jess Seaman keeps the gloves off this week, getting comfortable handling the ball in the box in the absence of Trudy Simmons.

Tony Candy’s side didn’t play last week, giving them the opportunity to take an extra week to prepare for this one.

With a game in hand, a win is important here and Talia Younis’ silky skills could be key in this one.

APIA Leichhardt v Blacktown Spartans

5pm, Sunday 14 July, Lambert Park

It’s top taking on second bottom on Sunday evening at Lambert Park as APIA Leichhardt welcome the Blacktown Spartans.

APIA have been in excellent form and showed that with a fine away win against the Northern Tigers on Saturday.

After getting a well earnt extra day rest after a tough week, Brad Attard’s team will come into this one re-energised.

But APIA will need to be careful, the Spartans are top place killers.

Blacktown have already knocked off the Macarthur Rams and the Illawarra Stingrays and will feel confident they can do the same here.

A tight but important win last week gives them great confidence coming into this weekend’s game with nothing to lose.

Sydney University v Sydney Olympic

5pm, Sunday 14 July, Sydney Uni Football Ground

On Sunday night, Sydney University take on Sydney Olympic.

It hasn’t been a great season for the Students, they are winless in five and will have been disappointed losing to the Blacktown Spartans on Sunday who sit below them on the ladder.

Olympic had another match washed out on the weekend but are in action again mid week.

They will need to put a few results together in order to keep their Premiership dreams alive but have definitely been one of this seasons outstanding performers.

Illawarra Stingrays v Emerging Jets

5pm, Sunday 14 July, Macedonia Park

The Illawarra Stingrays welcome the Emerging Jets to Macedonia Park on Sunday.

Only one defeat for the Stingrays since June and five wins has them in the hunt for the Premiership and they cannot afford any slip ups here as they did against the Blacktown Spartans a few weeks ago.

After a couple consecutive wins, the Jets have suffered back-to-back heavy defeats, conceding 10 goals in those two games, something they’ll once more need to tighten up.

Gladesville Ravens v FNSW institute

5:10pm, Sunday 14 July, Christie Park

The Gladesville Ravens are at Christie Park again on Sunday as they host FNSW Institute.

Two straight wins has lifter the Ravens back into fifth place, one position outside of finals football and their hope will be to continue their positive momentum with a win against the Institute.

At the other end, the Institute’s heavy 6-1 loss to Manly was their third in a row and they will be keen to turn results around.

Manly United v UNSW

6:15pm, Sunday 14 July, Cromer Park

The final match of the round takes us to Cromer Park as Manly United host UNSW on Sunday.

Just when they looked down and out, Manly have shown the race isn’t done yet, two straight victories have moved them into seventh and Tom Hopley needs his teams form to continue should they play finals football.

In the other dug out, there’s been a coaching change, one the club hopes will snap them out of their five match winless run and perhaps give them hope to not relegate after their first season in the top tier.

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By Nikola Pozder