Round 21 Preview – NPL Women’s NSW

The National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition gets closer and tighter after every week and round 21 promises to throw up even more potential question marks.

Bulls FC Academy v WSW @Northbridge Oval, Sunday 2:40pm

The academies do battle at Northbridge Oval on Sunday afternoon in the first match of the round as Bulls FC Academy take on the WSW.

Top of the table after 20 rounds and the Bulls continue to march toward the Premiership.

This game should not come into question for them and it should be a fairly routine victory which will set their run in up.

The Wanderers are still wondering how they let week’s three points slip against the Macarthur Rams having a two-goal lead in the second half.

With enough quality within the squad, WSW has the capacity to create problems for the in form Bulls.

Sydney Olympic v NWS Spirit @Valentine Sports Park, Sunday 3pm

At Valentine Sports Park on Sunday at 3pm, Sydney Olympic take on NWS Spirit.

After a fine return to the helm for George Beltsos, things have gotten a little tougher over the last few rounds.

Olympic are still fighting for their safety and any points will be massive in the run in.

Spirit scored an important victory on Saturday against Manly United, one where is they didn’t collect the three points, their finals hopes could have been dashed.

Sitting just outside the four, a win is key here to put themselves potentially in the finals places, or at least within touching distance.

APIA Leichhardt v Manly United @Lambert Park, Sunday 5pm

At Lambert Park on Sunday at 5pm, APIA Leichhardt host Manly United.

Fine form over the last month has put the Sapphire Cup Champions into the Top Four for the first time in months.

Confidence is high in Brad Attard team right through the squad at the moment and they’ll look to continue to ride the wave and potentially eliminate one of their rivals with a win.

In saying that, Manly Untied will be desperate to score a victory and move back into the finals places.

A loss won’t necessarily end their finals hopes but will definitely hurt their chances of qualifying.

Illawarra Stingrays v Northern Tigers @Macedonia Park, Sunday 5pm

The Illawarra Stingrays host the Northern Tigers on Sunday evening at Macedonia Park.

The south coast side suffered defeat at home last weekend, the loss allowing the Bulls to go above them into top spot on the ladder.

The Stingrays generally go about their business quietly and will be looking to do the same and keep the pressure on for the Premiership.

It was a disappointing performance for Chris Wood’s team last weekend, the loss all but sealing their fate of no finals football.

They aren’t a team to just lay their weapons down and expect them to come out swinging.

Mt Druitt Town Rangers v Macarthur Rams @Popondetta Park, Sunday 5pm

At Popondetta Park on Sunday, the Mt Druitt Town Rangers host the Macarthur Rams at 5pm.

A bit of a dip in form for the Rangers and Ben Gough’s team and the Rangers have slipped from first to fourth on the ladder.

They have a lot of games coming up in a short space of time and it will all be about player management for them and doing enough to play finals football.

After Sunday’s results, confidence will be high in the Rams camp after coming from two-goals behind to defeat the WSW.

That result was massive in their fight for survival and any points here would go a long way to securing life in the top tier.

Sydney University v UNSW @Sydney Uni Football Ground, Sunday 5pm

Sydney University face off against UNSW on Sunday evening at Sydney Uni Football Ground at 5pm in the Student Derby.

Uni cannot qualify for finals football this year but what they can do is create havoc for those battling for finals football.

They’ve defeated some big names over the last month and will look to sink another dagger with a win over UNSW on Sunday.

UNSW must win to keep their finals hopes alive, that’s as simple as it gets for them.

A tight but hard fought 2-1 win over Sydney Olympic leaves them only five points outside of the Top Four.

Gladesville Ravens v Newcastle Jets @Christie Park, Sunday 5:10pm

In the final match of round 21 action, the Gladesville Ravens face off against the Newcastle jets from 5:10pm on Sunday.

The Ravens have left their good form for too late in the season, something that will frustrate everyone involved at the Ravens as they are finally reaching their potential.

Alyssa Ng-Saad has been one of the players of the season, or at least the most improved, tearing the Northern Tigers apart last week and will once again be a major threat.

The Jets came up against one of the form teams in the competition last Sunday, APIA Leichhardt.

For the first 45 minutes they mixed it with their more fancied opponents but fell off the pace after the hour mark, they will need to do it for 90 if they are to get anything from this one.

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-By Nikola Pozder