Round 22 Preview – NPL Women’s NSW
Only two points separate five teams in the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition with finals positions heating up.
Bulls FC Academy v Northern Tigers
4:40pm, Sunday 28 July, Northbridge Oval
At Northbridge Oval, Bulls FC Academy take on the Northern Tigers.
This is the Bulls final opportunity to stay in the finals hunt, should they fail to get the three points, this could be that for them.
Amber Luchtmeijer again got herself on the scoresheet, taking her season tally to 18 and she doesn’t look like stopping any time soon.
Some excellent results for the Tigers have them just outside the top four and they will look to carry that into this weekend.
They defeated another finals rival last week, if they can do it again, they will be one step loser.
The Tigers also have a number of players finding the back of the net, sharing the goal scoring load and making them dangerous from all angles.
Football NSW Institute v Sydney University
4:45pm, Sunday 28 July, Valentine Sports Park
The Football NSW Institute face off against Sydney University on Sunday afternoon at Valentine Sports Park.
The Institute have hit a poor run of form and cannot seem to turn it around, losing heavily on Sunday to the Emerging Jets.
Uni have lost a number of very close games, they also beat Sydney Olympic well and need to win here to remain ahead of their weekend rival.
Manly United v Emerging Jets
5pm, Sunday 28 July, Cromer Park
Cromer Park is the venue for the clash between Manly United and the Emerging Jets.
Manly has clawed their way back into finals contention and despite missing a number of key players, they are still getting results.
Ruby Jackson was a major addition to the squad last weekend, immediately making an impact an important win over Sydney Olympic.
The Jets continue to grow and continue to add points on the board, this time beating the Football NSW Institute.
They will feel like they can spring a surprise here and put a dent into Manly’s finals hopes.
Blacktown Spartans v Sydney Olympic
5pm, Sunday 28 July, Blacktown Football Park
The Blacktown Spartans entertain Sydney Olympic at Blacktown Football Park on Sunday.
An important game for both teams here where points are imperative, but for different reasons.
The Spartans are in the middle of a relegation battle and despite picking up some positive results over the last month, more a required to ensure safety.
Olympic have had a tough run, the team is tired and low in numbers but they continue to fight.
This week is no different with a mid-week clash against UNSW before this one and Geoff Abrahams will have his work cut out making sure the team is as fresh as possible.
Illawarra Stingrays v APIA Leichhardt
5pm, Sunday 28 July, Macedonia Park
The Illawarra Stingrays are back at Macedonia Park on Sunday as league leaders APIA Leichhardt come to town.
The Stingrays’ loss last weekend against the Bulls FC Academy allowed the chasing pack to close the gap on them in the finals places push.
Dropped points here could see them drop out of the top four, something that hasn’t happened to often this campaign.
APIA are inching toward a second consecutive Premiership, they have a tough run home starting against one of their ‘bogey’ teams.
A win here will go a long way toward more silverware for Brad Attard’s team.
UNSW FC v Macarthur Rams
5pm, Sunday 28 July, The Village Green
At The Village Green on Sunday night, UNSW take on the Macarthur Rams.
Currently bottom of the Club Championship, UNSW are desperate for any points to keep their status as an NPL club.
Two quickfire goals did the damage against them on the weekend and their poor form continued.
The Rams on the other hand are doing well, Stephen Peters’ team is trying to chase down APIA and pinch the Premiership from them.
They can’t afford to drop any points in the run in, hope APIA slip up and then make for an enthralling final game of the season.
NWS Spirit v Gladesville Ravens – MOTR
5:30pm, Sunday 28 July, Christie Park
The match of the round takes us to Christie Park as NWS Spirit take on the Gladesville Ravens in a local derby with so much on the line.
Spirit have given themselves a chance of finals football but they must win here on Sunday night.
Talia Younis and Ella Abdul Massih have really turned it on and are the in form start of this Spirit team and will be key here.
The Ravens slipped up last week and were comfortably beaten, putting their finals hopes in danger.
Another loss here will allow Spirit to catch them, but also see them fall further behind the top four, something they cannot afford at this point in the season.
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By Nikola Pozder
