Round 15 Preview – NPL Women’s NSW

There is a new leader in the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition ahead of Round 15 action with the gap at the top becoming ever closer.

At the opposite end, things are heating up just as much as Sydney Olympic’s resurgence continues.

Bulls FC Academy v UNSW at Northbridge Oval, Sunday 2:40pm

Early on Sunday afternoon, Bulls FC Academy take on UNSW at Northbridge Oval.

The Bulls continue their march, eight games without defeat, including a 2-0 victory over league leaders Mt Druitt Town Rangers on Sunday afternoon.

Sixth place on the ladder, just a point outside finals places and the best in form side will be looking to add another win in the column.

After three straight wins, UNSW was defeated on Saturday in the dying minutes of their game against NWS Spirit.

If UNSW were to lose this one, they would seriously drop of the pace of the teams chasing finals football, raising the importance of this one.

Manly United v Macarthur Rams at Cromer Park, Sunday 3pm

On Sunday afternoon at Cromer Park, Manly United take on the Macarthur Rams from 3pm.

After a couple tough losses, Manly have bounced back with a win and a draw in the last couple games.

They remain in fourth place and will see this as a must win game to continue with their hopes of finals football.

The Rams were defeated on Sunday and it made it four losses on the bounce for Vic Guzman’s side.

There were a lot of positives for the Rams though, they created a plethora of chances, Tea Mucenski scored a worldie and they played some very good football.

Sydney University v Northern Tigers at Sydney Uni Football Ground, Sunday 5pm

Sydney University take on the Northern Tigers at home on Sunday at 5pm.

Only one win in their last five has Sydney University in 12th place on the ladder, well away from finals but also a fair distance from being in a relegation dog fight.

Despite struggling for form, their results have all been close and Oz Rowley’s side have been right in the battle with the likes of the Illawarra Stingrays and Manly United in the last two weeks.

If someone can score goals then it’s Chris Wood’s Northern Tigers side who sent the Newcastle Jets for six on Saturday, taking their season tally to 35 goals.

They have some defensive woes though with currently the worst defensive record of the top eight teams and yet to hold a clean sheet this season.

Newcastle Jets v NWS Spirit at Lake Macquarie, Sunday 5pm

The Newcastle Jets are at home this Sunday as they host NWS Spirit at lake Macquarie Regional Football Centre at 5pm.

After a promising start to the season and a more competitive outfit compared to previous seasons, the wheels have somewhat fallen off.

Relegation is a serious threat now with Sydney Olympic breathing down their necks and every point they can amass will be vital.

NWS Spirit’s inconsistent form of recent weeks continued last weekend, this time Tony Candy’s side took all three points with a last gasp winner against UNSW by who else but Skye Halmarick.

With a number of players arriving at Christie Park during the window, Candy will need them to gel as quick as possible because this side should not just be challenging for finals but for the Premiership also.

Illawarra Stingrays v Mt Druitt Town Rangers at Macedonia Park, Sunday 5pm

It’s a top of the table clash at Macedonia Park on Sunday evening as the Illawarra Stingrays host Mt Druitt Town Rangers.

The Stingrays recorded another win on a tough pitch and away trip against Sydney University, taking them to six games without defeat since that heavy 5-1 defeat against the Northern Tigers in round 8.

Siobhan Edwards is firing for the Stingrays, already reaching double digits for the south coast side and will be a threat to the Rangers defence.

A win here for the Stingrays will put them clear on top of the table against their weekend rivals.

The Rangers suffered their second defeat of the season on Sunday, albeit short on numbers, against Bulls FC Academy.

Ben Gough will be expecting a bounce back from his side and with Roukayah Al Fararjeh getting some important minutes in the 23s, will be a welcome return to the squad this week.

Sydney Olympic v WS Wanderers at Peter Moore Field, Sunday 5pm

At Peter Moore Field on Sunday, Sydney Olympic take on the Western Sydney Wanderers at 5pm.

George Beltsos’ return has coincided with a rapid rise in form as Sydney Olympic made it three straight wins on Sunday afternoon, defeating the Gladesville Ravens.

All three new signings were on the scoresheet as well for the blue and whites as Sarah Yatim, Aideen Keane and Alyssa Whinham all found the back of the net.

Whinham in particular has been excellent form, scoring six in her first three appearances for Olympic.

With the arrival of a number of players, none other than Tahlia Younis, the Wanderers have started to improve and look better again.

They would have been devastated they dropped point so late against Manly United on Sunday but will need to put that to the side as a rampaging Olympic team waits.

Gladesville Ravens v APIA Leichhardt at Christie Park, Sunday 5:10pm – MOTR

The match of the round takes us to Christie Park as the Gladesville Ravens host APIA Leichhardt on Sunday in the final game of the round.

There is so much on the line for the Ravens in this game as defeat will all but mean their finals hopes are over.

Lauren Phelps has put together an excellent squad but results just haven’t fallen into place for the Ravens so far this campaign.

Only one win in their last five games has them 12 points outside the finals positions.

With the likes of Miku Sunaga, Morgan Roberts, Bella Edwards and Lexie Moreno, they definitely have the fire power to hurt APIA.

APIA seem to have turned a corner, five matches without defeat and right back in the finals conversation, something that before round one wasn’t even being brought into question.

They cannot afford to drop points here to continue keeping pace with the teams above them on the ladder and with hopes still of finishing top, Brad Attard’s team will need to take the win.

Sophie Hoban was on the scoresheet last week on her return but it has been Ash Brodigan and Alyssa Rose that have stolen the headlines over the last month, excellent additions to the APIA squad.

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By Nikola Pozder