Round 9 Preview – NPL Women’s NSW

Three teams are still undefeated after eight matches in the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition and that run could come to an end for two that clash on Sunday in Round Nine action.

Bulls Academy v Manly United @Northbridge Oval, Sunday 2:40pm

The in-form Bulls FC Academy welcome the undefeated Manly United to Northbridge Oval in the first game on Sunday afternoon.

For the Bulls it’s been a solid month, only one defeat in the whole of April has seen them move up to 9th place on the ladder.

Isabella Coco-Di Sipio has had an excellent run of games where she has been amongst the goals and assists.

Eight games into the season and Manly United are one of three undefeated teams, scoring a comfortable 2-0 victory over APIA Leichhardt on Sunday.

They’ve been scoring goals at will and are currently the competitions second most potent team, but at the other end are also the second best defensive team in the league, keeping two consecutive clean sheets coming into this one.

Illawarra Stingrays v Macarthur Rams @Macedonia Park, Sunday 5pm

At Macedonia Park on Sunday evening, the Illawarra Stingrays take on the Macarthur Rams.

The Stingrays were left shell shocked at North Turramurra on Saturday night, losing 5-1 in a result that could have been much worse.

They were missing Kiara Rochaix and Caitlin Cooper in that one and will need to do without their best player so far this season, Alexia Karrys-Stahl who saw red against the Tigers.

Macarthur turned up five less Junior Matildas and no Lola Sossai but put up a brave battle against the league leaders.

Vic Guzman’s young side will take lots of positives from that game and could potentially spring a surprise here.

Mt Druitt Town Rangers v Northern Tigers @Popondetta Park, Sunday 5pm

Two undefeated teams clash at Popondetta Park on Sunday as Mt Druitt Town Rangers face off against the Northern Tigers.

It wasn’t an easy game last weekend for the Rangers against the Macarthur Rams but when you are at the top of the table, things go your way as did the last-minute winner.

Leena Khamis has now scored four goals in her last four appearances and is finding good form, but the seemingly ‘unbreakable defence’ has conceded three goals in their last four games, showing some chinks in their armour.

The Tigers are in third, still yet to taste defeat this season and coming off their best performance of the season against the Illawarra Stingrays.

With eight different scorers this season and Haley Johnson leading the charts, the Tigers are finding goals at will.

The competitions best attack (N. Tigers) will look to crack the leagues best defence (Mt Druitt) in what will be an enthralling clash.

APIA Leichhardt v NWS Spirit @Lambert Park, Sunday 5pm

Lambert Park will be the venue for the APIA Leichhardt and NWS Spirit clash on Sunday night.

Brad Attard will be looking for a bounce back from his team after losing to Manly United on Sunday.

APIA would be disappointed, not just with that result but also their position on the ladder, currently sitting in eighth place, eight points off top spot.

Only one loss in their last four games for NWS Spirit and Tony Candy’s team are plugging along well.

Skye Halmarick continues to bust opposition nets, while the addition of Cristina Aunon has added further depth to the team.

Last week’s win was even more impressive knowing they were without Erin Pridmore, Harper Pell and Mikaela Gavranic.

Sydney University v Western Sydney Wanderers @Sydney Uni, Sunday 5pm

On Sunday evening at Sydney University Football Ground, Sydney University take on the Western Sydney Wanderers.

Slight improvement from Sydney Uni over the last few weeks will be encouraging for Oz Rowley’s team.

They showed character to hold out with 10 on the park against UNSW for the majority of the second half and secured an important point.

The Wanderers continued their inconsistent form, this time well beaten at home against Bulls Academy.

They still sit in a solid sixth spot on the ladder and with Miriam Zumaya in excellent form, they will be hoping they can get back to winning ways.

Sydney Olympic v Newcastle Jets @Peter Moore Field, Sunday 5pm

The competitions bottom two clash at Peter Moore Field on Sunday as Sydney Olympic welcome the Newcastle Jets.

It still hasn’t clicked for Sydney Olympic this season and they are struggling at the moment, sitting bottom of the league.

Relegation has become a serious threat and this match becomes a real ‘six-point clash’ that Olympic must win or really risk falling behind.

The Jets have been on a barren run but haven’t been well beaten except against the Illawarra Stingrays.

If they can hold out defensively, the Jets will feel like they can come away from Peter Moore with a massive three points.

Gladesville Ravens v UNSW @Christie Park, Sunday 5:10pm – MOTR

The match of the round and final game of the round takes us to Christie Park as the Gladesville Ravens host UNSW.

Only one defeat for the Ravens in April has them slowly but surely climbing up the competition ladder.

Securing an important and difficult away win against the Newcastle Jets would have helped with confidence with Bella Edwards once again finding the back of the net.

Lexie Moreno getting her first 90 minutes of the season as well is encouraging for all at the Ravens.

UNSW still aren’t quite where they want to be, expectations were higher for this team before a ball was kicked this season.

They are yet to secure back to back wins this season and consistency has been an issue for this team.

Defender Aya Yamahata has become a real goal threat for UNSW, while top scorer Chloe Smith hasn’t scored since round four.

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-By Nikola Pozder