Round 14 Preview – NPL Women’s NSW

The second half of the season gets underway this weekend in the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition.

Only six points separate second to eighth in another incredibly close campaign in the women’s top tier.

NWS Spirit v UNSW @Christie Park, Saturday 3pm

At Christie Park on Saturday afternoon, NWS Spirit and UNSW open the round with a 3pm kick off.

Inconsistency has crept into Tony Candy’s side, two wins and two draws in their last four has seen them drop outside of the Top Four.

They lost last week’s game inside the first 25 minutes and something they will need to address.

With a number of key players arriving to the squad, Spirit will need some time to gel but a team that has seen the additions of Beth Gordon, Ella Abdul Massih, Princess Ibini-Isei. Madison McComasky and Sophie Harding will be expecting a response.

Three wins in a row and UNSW has found their spot inside a finals spot, sneaking into fourth place.

A see-sawing game on the weekend against the Northern Tigers needed a Trudy Camilleri late winner to seal the three points for the students.

Northern Tigers v Newcastle Jets @North Turramurra Rec Area, Saturday 6:30pm

North Turramurra Rec Area will see the Northern Tigers taking on the Newcastle Jets on Saturday at 6:30pm.

After a couple wins, the Tigers succumbed to a tough defeat on Sunday against UNSW.

Lily McMahon and Greta Kraszula both returned for the Tigers on Sunday and will slowly gain more and more minutes.

They will be expecting to take all three points here and return inside the finals positions.

It has been a tough run for the Jets, since defeating league leaders Mt Druitt Town Rangers, they have lost four in a row, conceding 20 goals in that period.

Sitting bottom of the league, the Jets will need a response and will welcome the return of Josie Allan.

Bulls FC Academy v Mt Druitt Town Rangers @Northbridge Oval, Sunday 2:40pm

Bulls FC Academy will welcome the Mt Druitt Town Rangers at northbridge Oval on Sunday afternoon.

After five straight wins, the Bulls were finally held by APIA Leichhardt on Sunday afternoon in the previous round.

Bulls coach Martinho Garces will be pleased with not only the results his side are putting up but more so the football they are playing.

Ben Gough would have been happy on Saturday, securing a clean sheet and a solid win against NWS Spirit.

Adelaide Wyrzynski scored her first goal in Mt Druitt colours with Ella Buchanan also slotting in to the defensive line, adding some depth and further quality to the Rangers side.

Macarthur Rams v APIA Leichhardt @Lynwood Park, Sunday 3pm

Last season’s grand final re-match takes us to Lynwood Park as the Macarthur Rams take on APIA Leichhardt.

Three straight losses for Vic Guzman’s side and they have dropped down to 13th position on the competition ladder.

Issues for the Rams are at the back where they have conceded 12 goals in their last three games and have the second worst defensive record in the league.

APIA at the other end have turned their poor fortunes around and are currently four matches undefeated.

They secured draws in two tough consecutive games against the Bulls and the Illawarra Stingrays.

Brad Attard’s team won the first game between the two and will need another here to continue their fight for finals football.

Sydney University v Illawarra Stingrays @Sydney Uni Football Ground, Sunday 5pm

Sydney University host the Illawarra Stingrays on Sunday at Sydney Uni Football Ground at 5pm.

Oz Rowley’s side would have been disappointed they let a half time lead slip and leave Cromer Park empty handed.

Talia Kapetanellis and Maddie Caspers returned to Uni and will be a massive addition to this young and talented side.

The Stingrays sit in second place on the ladder and are travelling well currently, five games without defeat.

They thought they had another three points in the bag, only to concede late against the Gladesville Ravens and have to settle for a point.

Sydney Olympic v Gladesville Ravens @Peter Moore Field, Sunday 5pm

On Sunday at 5pm, Sydney Olympic and the Gladesville Ravens do battle at Peter Moore Field.

George Beltsos has come in and Olympic it would seem they have turned a corner, two wins a few days apart and 11 goals scored.

Five goals in two games has already shown that Alyssa Whinham is some addition to the blue and whites as Olympic start their chase toward safety.

The Ravens saved themselves last weekend, new signing Miku Sunaga scoring a delightful header to rescue a point.

If the Ravens want to play finals football, they must win this one, currently sitting nine points off fourth position.

Manly United v WSW @Cromer Park, Sunday 5pm

Manly United are back at home on Sunday afternoon as they host the Western Sydney Wanderers.

Manly showed fine character last weekend, coming from a goal down at half time to overturn the result and come away with a 2-1 win.

Emily Minett was the star of the show, scoring a brace which moved the Northern Beaches team back into the Top Four.

After five straight disappointing defeats, the WSW bounced back on Sunday to defeat the Jets with a comfortable win.

Despite not getting on the scoresheet, Talia Younis looked incredible in midfield and with Miriam Zumaya and Amy Barker both finding the back of the net, the Wanderers are looking dangerous.

It was one way traffic the first time they played, Manly putting five passed the Wanderers.

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-By Nikola Pozder