Sydney University wrapped up the Club Championship last week and this week they’ll look to tie up the Premiership in the NPL NSW Women’s competition when they visit Manly United at Cromer Park on Sunday.

Blacktown Spartans v Bankstown City

Blacktown Spartans entertain Bankstown City at Blacktown Football Park on Sunday afternoon in the match of the round.

In what looked at one point as a top five decider, now isn’t. Bankstown have fallen out of the top five battle while the Spartans holding onto fifth spot.

The Spartans lost last week, allowing Macarthur to creep up to them, sitting just three points behind and ready to pounce.

Blacktown can’t afford to drop any points but Danny Abboud’s team will be keen to spring a surprise and do some damage.

The Lions suffered a heavy defeat last week and will be keen to rectify that with a positive result here.

Manly United v Sydney University

At Cromer Park Manly United welcome Sydney University.

Sydney University celebrated winning the club championship with three rounds to play last week and are looking to re-open the champagne by taking out the premiership.

Their victory on Sunday put them one step closer to that aim.

As they always have, United will play their fine football and try and cause a stir with their young squad.

Illawarra Stingrays v Northern Tigers

The Illawarra Stingrays and Northern Tigers do battle at JJ Kelly Park on Sunday afternoon.

A win will confirm the Stingrays’ finals place but also, put them ahead of the Tigers on goal difference.

That means this game has a lot more riding on it with the top three and a chance in the finals at stake.

The away side still has faint hopes of taking the title out but will instead turn their focus on securing a top three spot.

Sydney Olympic v Emerging Jets

Sydney Olympic will host the Emerging Jets at peter Moore Field.

Olympic have given themselves a chance of fighting for the premiership with a three round remaining but must win Sunday and hope Uni slip up.

They’ve found at the right time and are currently on a three-match winning run.

The Jets have improved but went down last week. They’ll do their best to ruffle some feathers on Sunday.

North Shore Mariners v Macarthur Rams

At Northbridge Oval on Sunday, the North Shore Mariners face off against the Macarthur Rams.

Macarthur know they have to win all their remaining games if they’re to have any hope of playing in the finals.

It started with last week’s comprehensive win and they’ll looking to do the same on Sunday.

NWS Koalas v Football NSW Institute

Football NSW Institute travel to ELS Hall Park on Sunday night to take on the North West Sydney Koalas.

The Institute has improved in recent weeks and have only lost once in the last four weeks.

Their young side will continue to look to register positive results as the season draws to a close.

Inconsistency has cost Jaime Gomez’s team dearly this season and although they still have a mathematical chance of making the semis, it won’t be easy.

While there is hope though, they will keep fighting and anything is possible in football.

-By Nikola Pozder, NPL NSW Women’s Writer

 

The big one is upon us in round 19 as we could be a step closer to realising who the Premiers will be for the 2019 season in the NPL NSW Women’s competition.

Sydney University v Northern Tigers

It’s the big one and the one we’ve been waiting for over the last few months as the first placed Sydney University host the Northern Tigers.

It’s become a two horse race for the premiership with both Uni and the Tigers slugging it out.

When they played back in round eight, they couldn’t be separated with a 0-0 draw and we are expecting very much the same, a tight fight until the end.

Alex Epakis’ team is on an incredible run, stretching from round four where they last tasted defeat, making it 14 games without a loss.

The Tigers are on a fairly good run themselves, losing just once in their last nine games and know the importance of victory here or at least, remaining unbeaten at the end of the 90.

Should Uni win, they’ll have one hand on the prize, should they lose and Sydney Olympic win, we will have an exciting three-team battle for the premiership with three games remaining.

The match kicks off at 4:30pm at Sydney University Football Ground.

Emerging Jets v Football NSW Institute

The Emerging Jets and Football NSW Institute clash at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility in the early 1pm kick off on Sunday.

An enticing fixture between the two academies with both hungry for three points.

The Jets have significantly improved in recent weeks and their results show that, should they win, they’ll be only two points behind the Institute.

After a strong start to the season, the Institute has fallen back somewhat but managed to pick up a morale boosting come from behind victory last week against the Mariners.

Manly United v Sydney Olympic

At 3pm at Cromer Park, Manly United host Sydney Olympic.

Manly is getting good at messing with the plans of those teams vying for the premiership and finals football.

With eyes still on a potential first place finish, United would love to spoil the party.

Olympic know that a win, could put them within touching distance of Sydney Uni.

Dropped points will spell the end of their top place hopes.

Illawarra Stingrays v Blacktown Spartans

At JJ Kelly Park it’s fourth v Fifth as the Illawarra Stingrays face off against the Blacktown Spartans.

Only two wins from their last six games has thrown the Stingrays out of the premiership race.

Still, a potential ‘home’ final looms for the Stingrays if they can pull three points here.

The Spartans pulled a hard fought 1-0 win from last week’s ‘six-pointer’ against the Koalas and more or less booked their finals spot.

A win here will almost definitely cement their place in the playoffs and see them jump above the Stingrays on the ladder.

NWS Koalas v North Shore Mariners

The North West Sydney Koalas welcome the North Shore Mariners in the local derby at 6pm Sunday night.

It’s a hard pill to swallow for Jaime Gomez with his side dropping points in their last two games despite dominating their opponents.

A draw and a loss mean their finals hopes are all but over with just a mathematical chance remaining.

The Mariners were on their way to victory last week but succumbed to yet another defeat, taking their tally to 17 losses for the season.

Bankstown City v Macarthur Rams

The Macarthur Rams travel to Jensen Park to take on Bankstown City in the final match of round 19.

Two straight losses mean the Rams are on the verge of missing out on finals football, something that no one is used to.

The experienced heads in the squad won’t stop pushing while there’s still a chance and need to win on Sunday to keep their dreams alive.

The young Bankstown side has had a good season, uch improved from their last campaign.

They’ll look to use the remaining games as a springboard into next season and build on their results from 2019.

By – Nikola Pozder, NPL NSW Women’s Writer

There’s just over a month left in the NPL NSW Women’s competition and the battle continues this weekend in round 18.

Blacktown Spartans v NWS Koalas

Match of the round takes us to Blacktown Football Park on Sunday as the Blacktown Spartans host the North West Sydney Koalas.

This will be a true battle for a finals place.

Should the Spartans win, they’ll create a buffer between themselves and their weekend opponents and be one step closer to where they want to be.

Snapping a four-game winless run, the Spartans will come into this one confident.

Jaime Gomez would’ve been left frustrated after last week’s result, knowing that two wins would’ve put the Koalas into the top five.

A loss could mean the end of the Koalas hopes so motivation won’t be a problem, they certainly have the quality.

Illawarra Stingray v Manly United

At JJ Kelly Park on Sunday the Illawarra Stingrays host Manly United.

Two convincing wins against two good opponents have the Stingrays still in with a chance of the premiership.

They’ll have to be aware to the danger Manly pose though to avoid a surprise result.

Manly showed that even though they can’t make the five they won’t be lying down that easy.

This week they have an opportunity to mess up another teams run home.

Sydney Olympic v Bankstown City

Valentine Sports Park will see Sydney Olympic and Bankstown City clash.

Olympic’s win last week showed the class they have across the whole park.

A drop in concentration almost cost them and they’ll need to ensure they remain focused for the entire 90.

Bankstown’s hopes of finals football came crashing down on Sunday.

Still in with a mathematical chance though, Danny Abboud’s side will continue to push.

Northern Tigers v Emerging Jets

The Northern Tigers face off against the Emerging Jets at NTRA.

Second-placed Tigers continue their chase of Sydney Uni and need to keep the pressure up with another victory.

The Jets have caused a few upsets in the last few weeks and will hope to do the same on Sunday.

The young side are one of the most improved teams in the second half of the season.

North Shore Mariners v Football NSW Institute

Football NSW Institute travel to Northbridge Oval to take on the North Shore Mariners.

Two teams struggling will both feel they can take the spoils here.

The Mariners one and only win of the season came against the Institute and they’ll be confident they can do it again.

For the young Institute team, they’ve found the going tough in the second half of the season but will also come into this one with belief.

Macarthur Rams v Sydney University

In the final kick off on Sunday afternoon, Macarthur Rams will host Sydney University at Lynwood Park.

Macarthur’s loss last week was a real kick in the teeth for their finals hopes.

They must take all three points or face the possibility of falling further away from fifth spot.

For Uni, it is simple. Win all your games to the end and you’ll be premiers.

Although it won’t be easy against the reigning Champions and Alex Epakis’ team will be well aware of that.

By – Nikola Pozder, NPL NSW Women’s writer

Don’t look away, it’s only just getting started! What a season so far with only six rounds left in the NPL NSW Women’s competition.

Blacktown Spartans v Football NSW Institute

Football NSW Institute travel to Blacktown Football Park to take on the Blacktown Spartans.

It’s the fourth straight home game for the Spartans but they definitely haven’t taken advantage so far.

Four games without a win has seen them drop out of the five and David Saliba’s team can’t afford to spill any points here.

Only one win since round six has put the Institute well away from a finals place but they’re a team that can beat anyone on their day.

Emerging Jets v Sydney University

At Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility the Emerging Jets host Sydney University.

Watch out, the Jets are on a roll.

First they held the Stingrays to a draw and last week shocked the Spartans. They’ll be hoping to do the same to the league leaders.

You’d expect Alex Epakis to have his side on high alert after the Jets’ recent results.

Should Uni continue their form, they’ll be on their way to the premiership. Currently 12 games undefeated they are looking the real deal.

Macarthur Rams v Sydney Olympic

Macarthur Rams welcome Sydney Olympic to Lynwood Park in the match of the round.

It wasn’t the result the Rams were after last week but they struggled to get going, something the opposition took full advantage of.

With illness travelling across the squad and jet-lag, the Rams will be better for 7-days and will come in hungry to take all three points.

It’s a return to Lynwood Park for Rams favourite Teresa Polias as she faces off against her long-time club.

Inconsistent results across the last two months have the new girls dropping off the leaders pace but a loss here could see the chasers catch right up.

Northern Tigers v North Shore Mariners

At NTRA the Northern Tigers face off with bottom-placed North Shore Mariners.

Back home after three consecutive away games, the Tigers will look to continue their attack on first place.

They’ll feel confident they can take the spoils, especially having beaten the Mariners 5-0 in the earlier game in the season between the two.

It’s been a tough season for the Mariners but any points here would be positive for them.

NWS Koalas v Manly United

The North West Sydney Koalas host Manly United at Christie Park.

What a win for the Koalas last week, keeping their finals hopes alive.

A win here could see the Koalas sneak into the five and with the return of Princess Ibini and Nat Tobin this week it will only offer Jaime Gomez even more options for the squad.

We won’t see Chris Williams’ Manly in the playoffs but this squad will continue to build and prepare for next season.

With quality all over the park, the Koalas will need to be aware of the danger United pose.

Bankstown City v Illawarra Stingrays

Illawarra Stingrays go to Jensen Park on Sunday to face off with Bankstown City.

Should Bankstown fail to pick up three points it could be the end of their finals dreams.

Undefeated since Danny Abboud took over, this could be his sides greatest test yet.

Only one defeat in two months has Scott Chipperfield’s team with some chance of stealing the premiership.

Still though, their finals place isn’t guaranteed and a win here will go a long way to securing that.

By – Nikola Pozder, NPL NSW Women’s writer

You cannot turn your head away from the NPL NSW Women’s competition for one second as we preview round 16.

Blacktown Spartans v Emerging Jets

The Emerging Jets travel to Blacktown Football Park to take on the Blacktown Spartans.

These two come into this one at opposite ends of confidence levels.

Blacktown lost last week and dropped outside the top five.

They’ll need points because the race for finals places is only just heating up and a slip up could cost them dear.

It was some performance from the Jets, playing very well to pick up points from the Stingrays last week and they’ll come into this one ready to disrupt another teams plans.

Manly United v Northern Tigers

Manly United and Northern Tigers face off at Cromer park on Sunday afternoon.

In a derby of sorts, United will look to shock their opponents and inflict some damage on them in the battle for the Premiership.

United are all but out of the finals race after last week’s defeat but the young side will continue to work.

The Tigers also lost last week and it wasn’t a performance we’re used to seeing from them.

The defeat saw them drop to third place on the ladder, two points of Sydney Uni in first.

Sydney Olympic v Illawarra Stingrays

Back to Peter Moore Field for Sydney Olympic as they host the Illawarra Stingrays.

Olympic are still in the hunt for Premiership glory but dropped points could see them fall further behind the leader.

They came away with all three points last week but will still require a step up against the Stingrays.

Not quite the result the Stingrays were after last week on their travels to the Emerging Jets.

Scott Chipperfield will require an immediate reaction from his team who still have hopes of stealing first place.

They’re in another battle also though, as a defeat could see them drop out of the top five.

Sydney University v North Shore Mariners

At Sydney Uni Football Ground, Sydney University welcome the North Shore Mariners.

They’re on top and they’re looking comfortable as the season slowly draws to a close.

Alex Epakis will expect his team to pick up all three points on Sunday.

It wasn’t all doom and gloom last week for the Mariners but this task won’t be easy travelling to the league leaders.

Football NSW Institute v Bankstown City

Valentine Sports Park will see Football NSW Institute and Bankstown City do battle.

Only one win in 10 has seen the Institute fall well off the pace and way off finals football.

Bankstown kept their hopes alive with a fine victory over Manly last week.

Another win on Sunday will put them right in the mix while a defeat could mean the end of their finals dreams.

Macarthur Rams v NWS Koalas

Match of the round takes us to Lynwood Park as the Macarthur Rams host the North West Sydney Koalas.

We knew they’d be back and it only took 15 rounds but the Rams have cracked into the top five.

They will need to work hard to stay there with three teams locked on 26 points and their weekend rivals breathing down their necks.

The Koalas played a good game against the league leaders and deservedly knocked them off last week to record a fine victory.

They’ll need to back it up Sunday and really ramp up their battle for fifth spot.

By – Nikola Pozder, NPL NSW Women’s Writer