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Round 3 – NPL NSW Women’s Preview

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After two rounds, only two teams remain with perfect records in the NPL NSW Women’s competition. 

Manly United v Footballl NSW Institute

Sunday afternoon at Cromer Park Manly United host Football NSW Institute.

Both teams enter this one with a 50-50 score.

United scored their first win of the season on the wings of the returning Remy SIemsen who picked up a hat-trick.

Chris Williams’ team welcomed her return as they look to attack the summit of the ladder.

The Institute suffered their first defeat of the season last week, albeit in a topsy-turvy match against Sydney Olympic.

They’ll look to regroup ahead of Sunday’s game.

 

North Shore Mariners v Emerging Jets

North Shore Mariners will host the Emerging Jets at Valentine Sports Park.

Two games, two defeats for both teams.

The Mariners have shown a lot of fight in two very difficult games.

They’ll see this game as a good opportunity to pick up some points and begin their battle for a finals position.

For the Jets, they were close to picking up their first point of the season last week.

They fell late against the Koalas but Improved last week and will look to do the same come Sunday.

 

Northern Tigers v Blacktown Spartans

North Turramurra Recreational Area will host the Northern Tigers and Blacktown Spartans.

Wow. The Tigers made a statement last week. Their win against the Champions sent shockwaves across the competition.

But if they can’t back it up on Sunday, the win doesn’t mean all that much to the Tigers.

The Spartans came close to making their own statement last Sunday.

They took the lead, had a few more chances but couldn’t complete the job against Sydney Uni. Olivia Price will be key for David Saliba’s team.

 

Sydney University v Sydney Olympic

4:30pm will see Sydney University and Sydney Olympic do battle at Sydney University Football Ground.

These two have started the season in perfect fashion, picking up two straight wins and scoring 16 goals between them.

Uni came from behind against the Spartans with the substitutes proving key in an important away victory.

Alex Epakis’ team will probably face their biggest test on Sunday and we’ll see their title credentials.

Much the same can be said of Olympic, who have won their opening two games of the season.

Scoring goals aren’t an issue and Susan Phonsongkham is in fine form already and will be a major threat to Courtney Newbon’s goal.

 

Bankstown City v NWS Koalas

In the latest kick off on Sunday night at Jensen Park, Bankstown City will take on the North West Sydney Koalas.

Bankstown picked up win number one of the season last week, taking all three points against the Jets.

They’ll be tested this week and will need to step it up to try and pick up something against the Koalas.

Undefeated after two games but Jaime Gomez will not be all that pleased.

A fine first win but dropping a two-goal lead against the Stingrays last week wouldn’t have sat well with the Koalas boss.

 

Macarthur Rams v Illawarra Stingrays

The Macarthur Rams and Illawarra Stingrays will face off in the match of the round on Sunday afternoon at 4:30pm at Lynwood park.

“It was just a bad day.” They’re the noises coming out of the Rams camp after the Northern Tigers defeat and Norm Boardman will look to shock his side back into action.

They’ll face a tough prospect against the Stingrays and the experienced maroons side will need to be at their best.

A win and a come from behind draw against the Koalas are how Scott Chipperfield’s side have got the season running.

If Michelle Heyman is available and club captain Carney is ready to start, the Stingrays team will be looking to remain undefeated.

-By NPL NSW Women’s writer Nikola Pozder

 

Round 2 Preview – NPL NSW Women’s

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The NPL NSW Women’s competition got off to a bang and round two looks to promise much of the same.

Blacktown Spartans v Sydney University

The match of the round takes us to Blacktown Football Park on Sunday afternoon as the Blacktown Spartans face off with Sydney University.

These two come into this one at opposite ends of the spectrum.

For the Spartans, It was a disappointing away loss against the newly promoted Sydney Olympic FC.

David Saliba is going to need to ensure the defence is tightened up ahead of Uni’s visit who are already in red hot goal scoring form.

Alex Epakis’ team is firing on all fronts.

Five different goalscorers in a dominant round one performance against Bankstown City had them comfortable 5-0 victors.

 

NWS Koalas v Illawarra Stingrays

North West Sydney Koalas take on the Illawarra Stingrays at Christie Park.

Fitness and experience saw the Koalas outlast their younger Emerging Jets opponents last week with four late goals.

They won’t be afforded those luxuries this week with a dangerous Stingrays team coming to town.

The Stingrays played their round one fixture Wednesday night as Scott Chipperfield took charge of his first competitive game of the Rays.

As reported last week, local superstar and current Matilda Michelle Heyman has put pen to paper for the Stingrays in another massive boost for the club.

 

North Shore Mariners v Manly United

It’s the North Sydney derby in the cities West as the North Shore Mariners and Manly United do battle at Cook Park.

Another side who played Wednesday night.

They’re an unknown going into this season and if they can pick up points in their first two games, they will really send a message to the rest of the competition. They missed the chance against the Rays, can they do it against Manly?

Chris Williams’ team lost their round one clash against last season’s champions but that won’t dishearten the young team.

That result could’ve went either way and they’ll look to get win number one of the season on Sunday.

 

Emerging Jets v Bankstown City

Bankstown City will make the long trip to Lake Macquarie Football Facility as they take on the Emerging Jets.

There are two sides to every tale and that was the case last Sunday.

Despite losing 5-0, the young side held out well until the last 10 minutes where they capitulated.

Bankstown was another side on the back of a 5-0 beating.

They will feel they can pull something from this game but will need to pick up their performance from last week.

 

Sydney Olympic v Football NSW Institute

Peter Moore Field will play host to the Sydney Olympic and Football NSW Institute clash.

What a start to the season for the newly promoted Sydney Olympic side!

Five goals and a dominant performance were just what the doctor ordered ahead of what will definitely be a tougher task on Sunday.

Leah Blayney’s team was missing some key players on Sunday but her young side showed real resolve to come away with all three points.

The addition of their Young Matildas to this week’s squad will only make for an even better performance.

 

Macarthur Rams v Northern Tigers

The Champions Macarthur Rams welcome the Northern Tigers to Lynwood Park.

They started where they finished the season off, with a win.

It wasn’t easy but they showed they’ll still be a force post-Teresa Polias with a tough away win against Manly United.

The Tigers will feel they deserved more from last week’s game but went home without any points.

It will be just as tough this week when they come up against the Rams and Servet Uzunlar will need to lead her side.

 

REMAINING ROUND 1 MATCH

Illawarra Stingrays v North Shore Mariners

It was the perfect start to 2019 for Scott Chipperfield’s team, coming away with all three points against the North Shore Mariners at Seymour Shaw on Wednesday 13th of March.

The Stingrays started the match in the best possible way after some early dominance, capitalising and hitting the front through Blaize Kendis.

The second half started much the same way as Eden Stoddard scored a well placed goal to double the Stingrays lead.

It was the Mariners who’d score next though, halving the deficit through debutant Camilla Arentoft following a corner.

Katelyn Leadbeatter should’ve restored the two-goal buffer but she blasted her second straight effort well over the bar.

But the points were settled when Erica Halloway followed up on Leadbeatter’s shot which smacked against the bar to make it 3-1.

-By NPL NSW Women’s writer Nikola Pozder

Round 1 Preview – NPL NSW Women’s

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The wait is finally over, the National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s elite competition kicks off this weekend and do we have some quality matches for you!

Twelve teams, 6 games a week, all streamed LIVE with one game accompanied by commentary, what a step forward for the women’s game.

The teams have completed their long preseasons and are now ready to go to battle for the premiership and grand final, in what seems to be a season without an outright favourite.

Sydney Olympic 

O-LYM-PIC, O- LYM-PIC.

Welcome to the new girls on the block.

For coach George Beltsos it’s been a project getting Sydney Olympic to the women’s top tier over the years, spending almost a decade coaching at the club.

In previous seasons it’s almost become custom for the newly promoted team to find their way straight back into the second tier. Something Beltsos wants to change.

“We want to consolidate our spot in the NPL1 competition and then build as we go.”

To do this they haven’t wasted any time in their recruitment process, bringing the likes of Matilda Teresa Polias to wear the famous blue strip which in itself is a massive feat for the club.

Adding exciting youngsters like Susan Phonsongkham, Angelique Hristodoulou, Panagiota Petratos and goalkeeper of the year Jada Mathyssen-Whyman, the Olympic squad is looking like they will definitely leave their mark on the 2019 competition.

Dutch born striker Lieke De Bever, who took out the Player of the Year in 2018 in the NPL 2 NSW Women’s competition will hope the step up a division will only further her quality as a footballer.

One of the sour points leading into round 1 however has been the unfortunate knee injury to one of the club’s brightest sparks in Maddie Costanzo who has been ultimately ruled out for the season.

Beltsos says he team is raring to go ahead of kick off this week.

“We’re very excited, it’s a new challenge and we’re looking forward to the first game.”

 

Blacktown Spartans 

What to expect from the Blacktown Spartans?

With an average age of just 20, David Saliba will be hoping his team can mature quickly in what will be a competitive campaign.

Saliba has been given the opportunity to lead the first team after a successful stint with the Spartans Reserve Grade team last season, winning the grand final along the way.

Thus why the club has chosen to go down a slightly different path as technical director Stephen Peters explained.

“We want to promote and push through our young talent into the first team.”

“It’s an interesting and exciting time for the club as we aim to consolidate a mid-table position.”

Alix Roberts and Olivia Price have both resigned with Ash Crofts one to look out for.

Kristy Rohrer, Beth Gordon, Hannah Bourke and Keisha Allen have all been added to the team along with the return to the club of Tiana Barton and Anna Vassallo.

 

Manly United

After making four straight finals and winning one Championship, Manly United will definitely be one of the teams to beat this season.

Chris Williams leads the team again and for a coach like him self, he will be after the best results possible.

“Every season we’ve continued to improve and I won’t be expecting any less, my team’s always aim for the top.”

But it will be somewhat different this season at Cromer Park.

“We’re going through a transition phase at the club and some big changes”, Williams added.

They’ve managed to acquire the services of Hannah Peric and Bryany Parker from the North Shore Mariners as well as Emily Bastow and exciting talent from the WA NTC program Cheyenne Wise-Jarvis.

Sophie Nenadovic and Ruby Jackson will also be available this season after missing the last campaign through season-long injuries.

One of United’s best players will be there again in Ally Green, coming off a great W-League season and youngsters Emily Minnet and Jane Vanzino have been promoted to the first team from the reserves while look for a big year from pint-sized attacker Patricia Charalambous.

“I’m happy with the squad assembled, we’ll be a young, hungry team that will play the Manly United way.”

 

Northern Tigers 

The Northern Tigers are one of those that will look to improve on last season’s results and making their way up the ladder.

Squad depth may have been an issue last season for the Tigers and that is something club technical director Jason Eagar has needed to address.

“We’ve had some promising performances in in pre-season. The squad is gelling well and we now have a lot of depth across all positions in the 1st grade squad, along with a host of players keeping the first graders honest for their positions.”

They’ve been busy over the pre-season in terms of the player market too, bringing in the likes of New Zealand Ferns players Aimee Phillips and Malia Steinmetz.

Izzy Foletta has joined the club from Perth Glory while NPL stalwarts Maddie Bart and Daisy Arrowsmith will be welcome additions to the team.

Eagar believes his team will make a stir in this season’s competition.

“Our intent this season is to be very competitive and give ourselves the best chance to get a result in every fixture.”

“The players will be prepared and confident going into the season.”

“We’ll see what that lands us after 22 tough rounds of football.”

 

Bankstown City

It was a tough first season for Bankstown but they managed to keep their heads above water. Just.

Change was needed to insure results improve and that’s exactly what they’ve done, recruiting very well.

They brought in Spartans captain Diyana Cakovski along with Sydney University captain Stephanie Ambrose.

Exciting youngster Vesna Milivojevic has also signed as well as Candace Sciberras from the Western Sydney Wanderers.

Bankstown coach Troy Spinks is looking forward to the new season.

“The team looks ready and we’re excited to see what 2019 will bring for Bankstown City.”

As mentioned earlier, Bankstown saved their spot in the league by the smallest of margins and will now look to build on that.

“After consolidating our place in NPL1 last season, we want to really solidify our place in NPL1, it would be great to see Bankstown and our Red and Black in finals football this year.”

Spink knows who the favourites are for the 2019 season.

“It’s hard to go beyond Sydney Uni but many clubs have so many quality players like Illawarra, Macarthur and Manly.”

 

Sydney University 

Dominant. One of the best ways to describe Sydney University.

From the successful Heather Garriock era to the new beginning with one of the most perspective young coaches in Australian football, Alex Epakis.

Having won the club championship in record time last season, Epakis’ aim is to better that this season.

“The club championship is most important to Sydney Uni and to do what we did last season is remarkable. We want to at least match that this season and if premierships and championships can be added along the way, we’ll take it.”

There hasn’t been much player movement at Uni but Mackenzie Hawkesbury and Mel Caceres both return to their old stomping ground along with Teigen Collister and Julia Vignes, who both spent time in the W-League this season.

Aoife Colvill. And Sarah Morgan have also signed for Uni, having previously worked with Epakis at Canberra United.

The goalkeeping stocks have asp been shaken up with Cort Newbon and Chantelle Symes both coming in from the Instiute.

Nevertheless, his team’s average age is only 19, an amazing achievement for any senior football club.

“I’m very confident we’ll have a good season with the players we have.”

Epakis knows who will be his most dangerous opponents this season and it won’t be any different from previous campaigns.

“Definitely Macarthur Rams and Illawarra Stingrays will be challenging for the title.”

 

Macarthur Rams 

They took their time but they finally won the Championship after numerous stumbles at the final hurdle.

Captain Renee Rollason will line-up in the maroon once again and her targets are set in stone.

“We want to go back to back.”

“It won’t be easy though so making the finals is our main aim.”

They’ll need to do it without one of their leaders with Teresa Polias moving on.

“We’ll be fine. Obviously Teresa is an amazing footballer and person who we all have great friendships with but the Rams wish her all the best at Sydney Olympic.

They’ve managed to hold on to key players Kylie Ledbrook, Sham and Leena Khamis, Rosie Galea and Liz Ralston while adding Tash Prior and Nicola Orgill to their squad.

Last season’s success is something Rollason and her side will use to kick the new season off as best as possible.

“The title was a long time coming and we’re happy to have finished the season on top.”

“It’s given us confidence moving into the 2019 season.”

 

NWS Koalas 

Jaime Gomez knows what he needs to do to win titles and he’ll be hoping he can pass that onto his North West Sydney Koalas.

“We’ve had a good preseason and remained undefeated throughout.”

“Most importantly we’ve had no injuries and the squad is ready to go.”

The Koalas have kept most of their team from last season who made a late charge for finals football, losing only Panagiota Petratos to Sydney Olympic.

Key players like Chilean international goalkeeper Romina Parraguire Plaza, Nat Tobin and Princess Ibini-Isei will all line-up at the fantastic Christie Park complex.

They’ve also managed to add Sophie Harding from Manly, Tiana Jaber from the Mariners and Deborah-Anne De La Harpe from Sutherland.

After a slow start to the 2018 campaign, Gomez needs to make sure his team are ready for battle come Sunday.

“We need to start better than last season and build on from how we finished the season.”

“We just missed out on finals football and that’s definitely something we want to achieve this year along with a top three finish.”

 

Illawarra Stingrays 

Some big noises are coming from the South Coast with the Illawarra Stingrays.

First off, the announcement of former Socceroo Scott Chipperfield as the team’s new head coach, replacing ex-Canadian international Carmelina Moscato.

An amazing achievement from the Stingrays bringing a local hero home.

This was soon followed by the signings of experienced duo with former Sydney FC W-League keeper Trudy Burke and Eden Stoddard who returns to Australia after some time in the US.

With the Stingrays just missing out on the premiership and a grand final appearance last year, they’ll look to go a few steps better this campaign.

Talitha Kramer, Caitlin Cooper and Erica Halloway will all once again wear the pink with a local superstar also tipped to pull on the Stingrays jersey in 2019.

Chipperfield will look to install his football philosophy as soon as possible and with the quality his team possesses, we don’t think it will be a problem.

“I like to attack. Goals win games. We’ve got speed all over the park and we want to play a high tempo game.”

“I’m pretty happy with the team I’ve got, you need a bit of luck with injuries and so on but I’m happy with the squad.”

It won’t be easy for any team making the trip down to JJ Kelly Park this season and the Rays are definitely one of the teams to beat.

 

Football NSW Institute 

What a performance in 2018!

An incredible run saw Leah Blayney’s team finish the competition in fifth place and one game away from the Grand Final.

As has become custom, the new era of Institute superstars will need to step up this season with most of the team moving on to other clubs.

Building a new squad won’t be easy but the Institute have done it before and will need to do it again this season.

“Obviously it’s an opportunity for us to give game time to younger players in a very strong first grade competition”, said Blayney.

“Our goal is to provide more players for the Young Matilda’s and Matilda’s squad.”

Who will step up this season?

There’s a few names earmarked with the likes of Darcey Malone, Greta Kraszula, Margaux Chauvet and Jardan Jasnos some names hoping to make an impact this year.

 

North Shore Mariners  

What do we expect from the North Shore Mariners?

Every season they start their campaign like a house on fire…but then tale off as the season moves on.

Ryan Grogan takes the helm this season as he looks to make vast improvements to the sides seventh placed finish in 2018.

They’ve been busy in strengthening the side over the summer break.

Jasmin Maguire comes over from ACT champions Belconnen United and Camila Arentoft joins from Danish side IF Lyseng.

Katie Offer and Zoe Halpin both return for another season at the Bridge, while 17 year-old Gemma Gray will get her opportunity having worked her way through the club’s youth system.

The likes of Gabe Marzano, Hannah Brewer, Camilla Arentoft, Rochelle Johnson, Maddie Mirkovic and Jordan Evans have also joined the club.

They’re one of the major unknowns for the season ahead but the club is hoping to implement its own unique brand of football in achieving positive results.

 

Emerging Jets 

It hasn’t be easy for the Emerging Jets over the last few seasons.

Similarly to the Institute, every season they go through a whole revamp of their first grade squad.

This season will be no different as the Jets look to improve on their previous season’s results where they finished on the bottom of the ladder.

Head coach Ashley Wilson knows that her squad will learn week in week out playing against quality opposition but they too will possess some hidden gems that are hoping to knock on the Future Matildas door and beyond.

Look for some big performances from this duo, namely  Tessa Tamplin and Renee Pountney to catch the attention at the Jets.

 

ROUND 1 PREVIEW

We kick off the season with live stream and commentary from Valentine Sports Park on Sunday as Football NSW Institute welcome the Northern Tigers.

The Emerging Jets will travel to Christie Park as they face Jaime Gomez’s North West Sydney Koalas.

Fans at Cromer Park will be excited as Manly United face off against the champions Macarthur Rams.

The newly renovated Jensen Park will host its first competitive women’s game as Bankstown City faces a huge test as they host Sydney University.

Sydney Olympic will try and kick their season off in the best possible way when they take on Blacktown Spartans.

In a match rescheduled for next Wednesday, Scott Chipperfield’s Illawarra Stingrays take on the North Shore Mariners.

-By NPL NSW Women’s Chief writer – Nikola Pozder

Twitter handle – @NikolaPozder

 

NPL NSW Women’s Grand Final Preview

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We are down to the final two in the elite National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s competition as the Macarthur Rams and Sydney University lock horns on Sunday afternoon at Valentine Sports Park.

It’s been a long and arduous season for both Macarthur and Uni and it all comes down to the big dance on Sunday afternoon at Football NSW headquarters.

The ‘students’ deservedly won the Premiership after leading the competition for a significant part of it.

With head coach Alex Epakis in charge of his first season at the club, he has had some amazing results and completing the double in his debut campaign would be something special.

Cortnee Vine leads this team from the front and her prowess in front of goal is a key factor to Uni’s success. Added to that the late forward runs of Nikki Flannery and the Rams defence will need to be at their best.

Tori Tumeth has been another standout for Uni this season but it was stand in keeper Sophie Magus that grabbed the headlines last time out and another performance like that will put Uni closer to the title.

Littered with talent, Uni will also have the likes of Rachael Soutar, Bianca Galic, Taren King and Charlotte Mclean to look towards in spearheading their title challenge.

Last week Uni booked their place in the final in what was one of the best footballing displays put on by two teams this season.

The team with a ‘hoodoo’ they can’t shake. The Macarthur Rams.

First it was the Football NSW Institute in 2014, then Uni in 2015 and Manly United last season.

Three finals, three losses.

Interestingly, all three times they came into the grand final as the premiers, not this time though.

The wily eyed Norm Boardman has an experienced side at his disposal and will be expecting his team to go all the way.

Kylie Ledbrook, fresh from signing a W-League deal with the Western Sydney Wanderers, and Teresa Polias are arguably the team’s biggest stars with of course well-known goal-poacher Leena Khamis who also snapped up a Western Sydney Wanderers contract.

Georgia Yeoman-Dale is another the Uni defence will need to watch with the attacker in red hot form this season while the experienced Renee Rollason will look towards commanding the Rams to victory.

Caitlin Campbell has also had solid year and will be tough to break come Sunday while the zippy Rosaria Galea will need be watched closely as her speed can turn any game on its head.

The two drew twice in the regular season with Macarthur coming away with a one-goal victory only two weeks ago in the semi-final.

It will be a fine game between the two best teams in the competition.

Probable Line-Ups:

Macarthur Rams: Shamiran Khamis, Caitlin Campbell, Rosaria Galea, Leena Khamis, Kylie Ledbrook, Teresa Polias, Lauren Ralston, Renee Rollason, Georgia Yeoman-Dale, Tiffany Patterson, Kirrilee Cameron

Sydney University: Nikoletta Flannery, Taren King, Sophie Magus, Annabel Martin, Charlotte Mclean, Julie-Ann Russell, Rachael Soutar, Tori Tumeth, Cortnee Vine, Clare Wheeler

Don’t forget, those of you that cannot make this huge clash, the game will be live streamed via Football NSW on the NPL NSW Facebook page from 5:45pm with expert commentary from Adam Santarossa and Tony Tannous calling the match.

The day will kick off at 9am as the Under 14’s will see the FNSW Institute battle Manly United while in the Under 15’s the Institute again will be involved, this time taking on the Blacktown Spartans at 10:45.

Under 17’s will feature Manly United taking on Sydney University at 12:45pm and before the big finale, the Reserve Grade will showcase NWS Koalas taking on the Blacktown Spartans at 2:45pm.

Click here to view the NPL NSW Women’s Grand Final Match Day Program

Final Series Week Three – National Premier Leagues NSW Women

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We’re down to the final three in the NPL NSW Women’s competition as the Macarthur Rams wait to see whether they will face Sydney University or the Football NSW Institute.

 

Sydney University v Football NSW Institute

The premiers went down last week and missed their opportunity to book their place in the final but will have another chance at Arlington Oval on Sunday afternoon against the Football NSW Institute.

Possibly some inexperience saw Uni not complete the job last week and now face a do or die clash against the tricky Institute.

Alex Epakis will expect a reaction from his girls as they look to complete the double in 2018.

Cortnee Vine will be the key for Uni with her goal scoring prowess and the experienced Rachel Soutar.

The Institute have only lost once since round seven and that was against Sunday’s opponents.

They’ve been flying and signalled their intent with six goals in the Stingrays net last week.

Courtney Nevin has been a standout this season for the girls in sky blue and she will be an important part of what they do.

Susan Phonsongkham has been another leader of the Institute team but her going off before half time with an injury would have their medical staff sweating.

It’s a win a piece for these two so far this campaign with Uni winning the last clash by the odd goal.