Round 17 Preview – NPL Women’s NSW
All seven games in round 17 of the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition will take place on Sunday.
Bulls FC Academy v Northern Tigers @Northbridge Oval, Sunday 2:40pm
The actions kicks off at Northbridge Oval on Sunday at 2:40pm as Bulls FC Academy host the Northern Tigers.
The phenomenal form continues for the Bulls, winning again on Sunday with a comfortable 3-0 victory, extending their run to 10 games without defeat.
They have been scoring at will but have also tightened the screw defensively, going more than 270 minutes without conceding a goal.
It was a tough defeat to take for the Northern Tigers on Saturday night, having led against Sydney Olympic before succumbing to a 2-1 loss.
Last week’s defeat won’t mean much if they are able to pick up points here but a loss could really hurt their finals hopes, potentially pushing them further away from the top four.
Sydney University v Sydney Olympic @Sydney Uni Football Ground, Sunday 5pm
Sydney University take on Sydney Olympic on Sunday evening at 5pm at Sydney Uni Football Ground.
Uni would have felt they should have taken more from Saturday afternoon’s game against NWS Spirit but won’t be too disappointed with taking a point.
Talia Kapetanelis was excellent, scoring a brace and her linking up with Jaime Beaufils looks exciting for Oz Rowley’s team.
The run continues for George Beltsos’ team, five wins on the trot after Saturday night’s character building come from behind victory.
They cannot get complacent if they are to give themselves any hope of an incredible run toward the to four, any dropped points could mean the end of that dream.
Illawarra Stingrays v NWS Spirit @Macedonia Park, Sunday 5pm
Down the south coast on Sunday evening, the Illawarra Stingrays welcome NWS Spirit to Macedonia Park.
The Stingrays have only won one game in their last five outings but currently remain in third spot despite the drop in form.
They have the quality to compete and remain where they are but need to defeat a direct rival to do so.
Tony Candy would have been pleased with his sides comeback on Saturday but not with the fact they didn’t take all three points.
Princess Ibini looked solid when coming on in the second half but Beth Gordon was the standout and one that can really carry this team forward.
APIA Leichhardt v Mt Druitt Town Rangers @Lambert Park, Sunday 5pm
What a battle awaits at Lambert Park as Mt Druitt Town Rangers travel to the inner west to take on APIA Leichhardt.
APIA dropped key points on Sunday night, being outclassed by UNSW and falling further behind the top four.
A side that many expected to be at the top, need to defeat the current league leaders to keep their top four hopes alive.
Mt Druitt continue to secure points and hold onto their lead at the top of the table, a lead they extended to five points following Sunday night’s 1-0 win over Manly United.
The next month will be extremely gruelling and testing for Ben Gough’s side, having to contend with a tough run of fixtures but also a rescheduled game against the resurgent Sydney Olympic and the Sapphire Cup final against this weekend’s opponent.
If Mt Druitt can come out of this month on top, they will have on hand on the Premiership.
Macarthur Rams v UNSW @Lynwood Park, Sunday 5pm – MOTR
On Sunday evening at Lynwood Park from 5pm, the Macarthur Rams face off against UNSW.
It has been a rough slog for the Macarthur Rams, losing their sixth game on the bounce on the weekend, being soundly beaten by the Gladesville Ravens.
Last season’s Champions have gone through a full restructure at the club and although it needs time to click, things are looking dangerously serious now with relegation becoming increasingly likely.
This fixture will not be a welcome one either following UNSW’s victory last weekend and the possible roster issues Vic Guzman could be facing.
At the other end, UNSW knew that not taking all three points against APIA would have meant that finals would perhaps remain just a dream.
They turned up, did a job in style, and reignited their finals hopes, with Angelique Hristodoulou the star against her former side.
Their form has been sketchy though and will need to ensure they are able to consolidate last week’s good performance with another win on Sunday.
Manly Untied v Newcastle Jets @Cromer Park, Sunday 5pm
Manly Untied return to Cromer Park as they host the Newcastle Jets on Sunday night at 5pm.
A tough defeat but a gallant performance where arguably Manly could have got a point against the league leaders.
They will be without Grace Arnold who was sent off last weekend but gain Sienna Dale who will potentially be available for more than 45 minutes, as well as Phoebe Gilbane who should be returning from a concussion.
The struggles continue for the Newcastle Jets, another defeat on Sunday, making it 7 defats in a row.
They sit bottom of the table and things don’t look like changing for them.
Gladesville Ravens v WSW @Christie Park, Sunday 5:10pm
The final game of the round takes us to Christie Park as the Gladesville Ravens host the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Gladesville snapped a four game winless streak on Sunday with a commanding 4-0 win over the Macarthur Rams.
Alyssa Ng Saad looks to be in fine form, scoring a hat-trick, taking her season tally to 11 goals, while Bianca Galic made it two goals in two games as well.
They also kept a clean sheet which would have been very welcoming for Lauren Phelps’ side, their first since round 11.
For the third game in the last three weeks, the WSW were not able to hold onto a lead and turn it into three points.
They have picked up their form of late and will be confident they can cause some damage to the Ravens.
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-By Nikola Pozder
