Six matches are scheduled for Round 2 action on Easter Monday in the NPL NSW Women’s competition with Round 1 out of the way – however for some clubs, it will feel like it will be their first game for 2022 following the postponement of four Round 1 games.
Let’s get to the preview.
Blacktown Spartans v Football NSW Institute @Blacktown Football Park, 5pm
It’s a first competitive game for the Blacktown Spartans and Football NSW Institute on Monday afternoon at Blacktown Football Park.
Both teams had a number of players involved in a recent Young Matildas camp last week and they should be welcoming them back to their respective squads for Monday’s clash.
The Spartans will be looking towards getting their season off to a winning start and coach Brad Attard will be looking at this match as a great building block.
The Institute has had a major turnover with a number of players graduating and moving on.
Jess Nash and Bryleeh Henry two of many who will come up against their former side.
Institute coach Lisa Warrener knows her young team will have a tough time at Blacktown Football Park but it will be interesting to see how the new crop of teenage stars will perform.
Bankstown City v Illawarra Stingrays @Jensen Park, 5pm
One played, the other didn’t as Bankstown City host the Illawarra Stingrays on Monday at Jensen Park.
Bankstown stretched their legs on Sunday in round one but came away with nothing.
Matthew Costantini’s team will feel like they should have gotten more from their clash against Macarthur, in particular after matching their more fancied opponents.
The home team will take heart from their performance though and should be able to use it to build on, in achieving a positive result.
The Stingrays will be fresh after having the weekend off giving coach Anthony Guido more time to settle his team.
For the South Coast team, this will not be an easy trip away and match sharpness could be a problem for Guido’s team.
Veteran NPL NSW Women’s star striker Michelle Carney will suit up again in 2022 and will lead her team out for this one hopefully with a first up win.
Macarthur Rams v NWS Spirit @Lynwood Park, 5pm
Two teams that suited up last weekend will do battle on Monday at Lynwood Park as the Macarthur Rams host NWS Spirit.
It’s a second straight home game for the Rams after picking up all three points last weekend against Bankstown City.
Three goals in the opponents net last week and a 3-1 score line looks like a comfortable win, but for those that watched, coach Stephen Peters’ team will need to step it up another level.
Two wins from two starts would be the perfect start to the 2022 season for Peters’ and his team.
It will be Spirit’s second straight match on the road in the competition after going down last week to one of the competition favourites.
It doesn’t get any easier this week for Spirit, coming up against a team full of confidence and another top three candidate.
Adam Keramea will feel that his team had their chances last week but were ultimately outclassed and punished by their opponents. This week they’ll need to ensure they capitalise on any opportunities they get if they are to come away with any points.
Manly United v Sydney Olympic @Cromer Park, 5pm
Another couple of teams that missed out on round one action as Sydney Olympic travel Cromer Park to face Manly United.
It was a tough season for Manly United and Tom Hopley last season but the United boss will be hoping for a vast improvement in 2022.
What better way to show this by coming up against one of the competition heavyweights and favourites.
There will be no Remy Siemsen but we will get to see the exciting Japanese import Yuka Honda for the first time.
Olympic fans will be hoping this is the year as will their coach George Beltsos.
The team is brimming with talent and expectations are high at Belmore this season with the title a genuine reality.
They’ll have a fit and firing Cortnee Vine in the front third with the incredibly composed Taylor Ray in midfield pulling the strings.
Northern Tigers v APIA Leichhardt @North Turramurra, 5pm
Oh what a blockbuster we have in store at North Turramurra Recreation Area as the Northern Tigers welcome APIA Leichhardt.
Jake Stephenson will coach his first competitive game in the Northern Tigers dugout and it will be one of the toughest he could have imagined.
The Tigers lost the likes of Izzy Foletta and Winonah Heatley and will need to tighten up their defensive structure against a tough opponent like APIA on Monday.
For the visitors and coach Spencer Prior, after a great start to the campaign and a commanding victory, they will enter this one full of confidence.
A victory against a team that could be considered an NPL NSW Women’s powerhouse of recent years, will be a real statement of intent.
It promises to be a special match with both teams hungry to record a victory.
Sydney University v Emerging Jets @Sydney Uni Football Ground, 3:20pm
In the first match of round two, Sydney University and the Emerging Jets will go head to head at Sydney Uni Football Ground at 3:20pm.
Uni coach Emily Husband has not had the preparation she would have liked, but they will not be looking for any excuses come Sunday.
They have strengthened well and having Annabelle Martin back from injury, it will feel like a new signing for the students.
Scott McCarter will be entering his first season as the new Head Coach of the Jets full of energy and excitement.
The Jets are a young team who has found the transition to the NSW competition tougher than expected.
Similarly to the Institute, it will be interesting to see how the Jets’ new crop of talented youngsters perform.
-By NPL NSW Women’s Chief Writer and Commentator Nikola Pozder