Four teams remain in the #NPLWNSW competition as the fight for the final piece of silverware for 2022 heats up this weekend.
It feels like a replay of round 22 as APIA Leichhardt welcome the Macarthur Rams, while the Northern Tigers travel to Sydney Uni.
APIA Leichhardt v Macarthur Rams
The action kicks off at Lambert Park on Saturday evening as APIA Leichhardt host the Macarthur Rams in Sydney’s Inner-West.
If you look at the fixtures between these two this season, APIA leads convincingly, 5-0 (R11 3-0, R22 2-0) against the Rams.
In saying that though, the Rams have not been complete in either fixture (nor have APIA), missing a large group of important squad players. On Sunday for example there was no Lauren Keir, Alex Huynh, Mel Caceres, Beth Gordon and the experienced Kylie Ledbrook.
The defensive pairing of Holly Williams and Madison McComasky were solid on Sunday night but expect Huynh to slip straight back in. Gordon and Caceres will be important in adding creative quality for Leena Khamis and Laura Murtagh.
Aside from Sunday’s loss, the Rams have been in good form and won’t pay too much attention to the weekend result. Stephen Peters’ team will be ready to go in this do or die semi-final.
Spencer Prior’s APIA did exactly what they had to on Sunday to take the points, claims a finals spot and second place on the competition ladder.
APIA started slow on Sunday and were lucky not to get punished by the Rams early on. It is not the first time this season that this has happened to them and they will need to make sure that they are ready to go from the opening whistle.
Shea Connors will be looking for an improved performance this weekend but will need to get support from Rhianna Policina. Question marks remain whether or not Leah Davidson will be ready to take part in the game while Sarah Hunter is back and dominating.
Despite the win, a better performance across the board is what is required should APIA make it three wins from three against the Rams.
Sydney University v Northern Tigers
On Sunday night at Valentine Sports Park, the Premiers Sydney University will host the Northern Tigers.
Sydney Uni flexed their muscles last week at North Turramurra and had they not fallen asleep in the final minutes, it would have looked a very dominant performance. After a plethora of chances and missed opportunities (including a missed penalty).
Rola Badawiya was once more on the score sheet, much like her strike partner Holly Caspers and those two will be extremely important for Uni. Ashley Irwin has been one of the best defenders of the season and she will have difficult time keeping Ash Brodigan in check.
After two straight league losses, it was important that Emily Husband’s team brought back the confidence that led them to a 17-match unbeaten run.
A strong finish to Sunday’s game would have also given the Tigers confidence after a poor display for almost 90 minutes of the match against Uni.
They’ve been in the top four all season but almost saw them miss out on finals football with the last game of the year, Olympic unable to win meant they’d still be playing in the finals two weeks of the season.
The Tigers now need to take their gift with both hands and go on and give it all they have. Ash Brodigan without doubt will be the target in the front third while Izzy Gomez has been one of the Tigers’ best players all season alongside Malia Steinmetz.
Uni have also won both matches this season against the Tigers, 1-0 win in the first round between them and 4-2 less than 7-days ago.
-By NPL NSW Women’s Chief Writer and Commentator Nikola Pozder