The second half of the season kicks off on Sunday in the NPL NSW Women’s competition.
Blacktown Spartans v Sydney Olympic
It will be a blockbuster at Blacktown Football Park on Sunday as the Blacktown Spartans host Sydney Olympic.
Last time out Olympic kicked off the season with a win over the Spartans in convincing fashion.
Since then though, the Spartans have vastly improved and are currently on an eight match unbeaten run.
A win for the Spartans would see David Saliba’s side jump their rivals on the ladder and firm up their premiership hopes.
Olympic continue to do their business and get results, with the promoted side at the top of the table.
With Susan Phonsongkham back in the team and whispers of some major signings, Olympic will only continue to improve.
Emerging Jets v NWS Koalas
At Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility, the Emerging Jets host the North West Sydney Koalas.
It’s a second match in a row at home for the Jets and they’ll look to capitalise this time.
Revenge is on the cards after a 5-0 defeat in round one.
Inconsistency is a problem for Jaime Gomez’s Koalas. Two draws, two wins and two losses in their last six games.
It’s seen them drop out of the five and slowly drift away from finals football, a victory is imperative.
Northern Tigers v Football NSW Institute
The Northern Tigers welcome the Football NSW Institute to NTRA on Sunday afternoon.
They just continue to do it! What a first half of the season for the Tigers.
But, the hard work starts now and they need to kick on to cement their place in the five and potentially continue their fight for the premiership.
Leah Blayney and the Institute will be breathing a sigh of relief after finally snapping their losing streak last week.
The come from behind victory will have lifted the side in more ways than one and they’ll be confident they can get something from Sunday as well.
North Shore Mariners v Illawarra Stingrays
Northbridge Oval will see the North Shore Mariners and Illawarra Stingrays clash.
It’s been a tough campaign for Bill Papas and the Mariners and it doesn’t get easier on Sunday.
There were some positives on Sunday but conceding goals early on has caused many problems for the North Shore side.
Fifth place and two points from top spot, Scott Chipperfield will be happy with how the first half of the season has progressed down the south coast.
To keep in touch with the top teams they need all three points and may see this match as an opportunity to improve their goal difference, but they should be aware of complacency.
Macarthur Rams v Manly United
Match of the round takes place at Lynwood Park between the Macarthur Rams and Manly United.
Disappointment at Lynwood after dropping a two-goal lead against the Institute last week, succumbing to defeat.
Still, it was a first defeat in six but Norm Boardman’s team must take all three points to stay in touching distance with the top five.
Finally a win after three straight defeats for Chris Williams’ team.
There is still hope of finals football but it will require a massive effort from United in the second half of the season.
Sydney University v Bankstown City
Sydney University take on Bankstown City at Sydney Uni Football Ground at 4:30pm on Sunday.
The second best in-form team in the league is currently Sydney University.
Seven games without defeat and first place for Alex Epakis’ side.
Bankstown is another team that needs a huge second half of the season to reach finals.
They’ve unearthed a few talents and none more so than Vesna Milivojevic.
By- Nikola Pozder, NPL NSW Women’s Writer