Round 7 is upon us in the NPL Women’s NSW competition this weekend, with the match of the round kicking off proceedings on Saturday afternoon.
NWS Spirit v Bulls FC Academy – Match Of The Round
3pm, Saturday 13 April, Christie Park
The Match of the Round takes us to Christie Park on Saturday afternoon as NWS Spirit host Bulls FC Academy.
Six games in and Spirit are only one of two teams yet to win a game this season, yet sit in 11th place.
How? Well, they have only lost once and drew five times this campaign!
Spirit have led in four of their five draws and have generally conceded quite late showing the inexperience the young side possess, something Tony Candy is confident will improve as the season progresses.
After three games without a victory and conceding 11 goals in that time, the Bulls managed to shut out one of the most in form teams in the competition (Gladesville Ravens) and come away with a comprehensive 3-0 victory.
Amber Luchtmeijer continued her fine form, scoring another goal over the weekend and her combination with Isabella Coco-Di Sipio seems to be working well.
Victory here for the Bulls could lift them as high as second on the ladder if results go their way.
Northern Tigers v Macarthur Rams
4pm, Sunday 14 April, North Turramurra Rec Area
The first match on Sunday takes us to North Turramurra Rec Area as the Northern Tigers face the Macarthur Rams.
It’s been a difficult start for the Northern Tigers in 2024 but they recorded a confidence boosting draw against APIA Leichhardt on Sunday, coming back from two-goals down to secure a point.
This task won’t be any easier than the weekend’s as the Champions come to town who are once more leading the competition.
Macarthur bounced back after their first dropped points a couple weeks ago now, putting seven past the Emerging Jets.
Bronte Trew scored a 14-minute hat-trick at Lake Macquarie and will be keen to continue finding the back of the net here, while Miku Sunaga scored a well deserved brace having been somewhat unlucky in front of goal over the last few weeks.
Football NSW Institute v Gladesville Ravens
4:45pm, Sunday 14 April, Valentine Sports Park
At Valentine Sports Park on Sunday, the Football NSW Institute host the Gladesville Ravens.
The Institute will be keen to bounce back this weekend after suffering two straight defeats.
Only one win so far this season, this one will be another tough ask for the Institute but one they can ruffle some feathers in.
It was somewhat a shock result for the Ravens as the Bulls FC Academy made light work of them over the weekend.
Even so, it has been a great beginning to the campaign for the Ravens and they will be eager to get back on track.
Blacktown Spartans v APIA Leichhardt
5pm, Sunday 14 April, Blacktown Football Park
APIA Leichhardt travel to Blacktown Football Park on Sunday night to take on the Blacktown Spartans.
A disappointing result for the Spartans last weekend in a massive game in terms of the season for them.
There were a number of positives though and patches where they were no doubt the better team.
A wounded APIA team arrive at Blacktown and they will feel this is the best opportunity to play the reigning Premiers.
Three times this season APIA has let two-goal leads slip and not come away with the victory.
Despite it being early on in the season, APIA’s hopes of retaining the Premiership have taken a huge hit, already eight points away from runaway leaders Macarthur Rams.
Sydney Olympic v Sydney University
5pm, Sunday 14 April, Peter Moore Field
At Peter Moore Field, Sydney Olympic welcome Sydney University for a 5pm kick off on Sunday.
Sydney Olympic have been scoring at will so far this season, averaging over three goals a game and only being shut out against APIA Leichhardt.
Demi Koulizakis is currently the league’s in form striker, scoring 9 goals so far this campaign.
Three games without defeat and Geoff Abrahams’ team deservedly sit in second place on the ladder.
Sydney Uni recorded a valuable three points away from home last weekend with Talia Kapetanelis starring on the night.
Debutant goalkeeper Baylee Broomhead showed Oz Rowley he didn’t need to worry moving forward, with the 17-year-old putting in a fantastic shift as well.
Confident, and with the artillery up front to cause damage, Uni could spring a surprise here.
Emerging Jets v Illawarra Stingrays
5pm, Sunday 14 April, Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility
The Illawarra Stingrays make the long trip north to take on the Emerging Jets on Sunday evening.
It was another heave defeat for the Jets, going down 7-0 on Sunday to the Macarthur Rams.
30 goals conceded in 6 games does not make for good reading.
The Stingrays have started the season well, recording only one defeat, coming in round one.
Sakura Nojima got the only goal of the game last week and the Stingrays will be glad she is starting to find her scoring boots as well.
UNSW FC v Manly United
5pm, Sunday 14 April, The Village Green
The final game of round seven takes us to The Village Green as UNSW host Manly United.
After a solid start to the season, UNSW has suffered three straight defeats, conceding 11 goals across those games.
Allira Toby has been there standout so far this campaign and she returns to the squad after serving a suspension last time out.
It has been Manly’s best start to a campaign for some time and they are going about their business without too much noise.
Sitting in third place on the ladder and starting to see both Daisy Arrowsmith (5 goals) and Emily Minnet (4 goals) finding the back of the net consistently, Tom Hopley will be very pleased with how his team is progressing.
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By – Nikola Pozder