Arrive Alive NSW Womens Premier League Round 4 Preview

Two games were washed out and have been postponed until a date to be fixed.
That means at least four teams will be rearing to go this weekend after missing out on their football fix! It looks to be a tough weekend?s football with many of the teams who are currently struggling coming up against title contenders.
This certainly presents a major challenge to the lower placed sides to stay in touch with the pack by chasing success this weekend.
The match of the round would appear to be between last season?s champions, Macarthur Rams and fourth placed Sutherland Sharks. Macarthur have had an indifferent start to the season, despite sitting in second place on the ladder.
The Rams did, however, bounce back last weekend with a 12-0 hammering of a hapless Central Coast Lightning side.
The Sharks, on the other hand, have been quite consistent culminating in a very creditable performance against competition leaders NWS Koala last Sunday. The strong defensive formation that frustrated Koalas last weekend will certainly be put to the test by Rams but The Sharks look to be a side on the rise. This should be an exciting clash.
Central Coast Lightning host Manly United FC at Pluim Park Lightning have struggled so far this season with a young, inexperienced squad battling to come to grips with the top level of women?s football in the state.
Things won?t get any easier for the girls from Gosford when they meet a strong Manly side who have shown plenty of promise already in 2008. Manly have had a solid win over Sydney Uni plus a narrow loss to Marconi Stallions before last weekend?s wash out of their game with Penrith Nepean. They will be keen to keep pace with the competition front runners by putting Lightning to the sword.
Penrith Nepean United meet undefeated Marconi Stallions at Cook Park.
The Stallions have accounted for two premiership contenders in their only two games so far.
Their stunning 5-0 belting of Macarthur Rams in round one was followed by a narrow though convincing win over Manly United. Penrith have leaked ten goals in two matches and this could prove to be a dangerous afternoon for their defenders. Both teams are coming off washed out matches last weekend.
Table topping NWS Koalas take on newly promoted Sydney University in the final match of the round. The Koalas have looked solid outfit so far though last weekend?s match against Sutherland proved to be a tough one. With a testing game against Rams facing them in the next round the Koalas girls will be looking for a morale boosting win over the winless University side.
Sydney University on the other hand will want a strong result to prove their worth in the top flight of competition. Koala certainly look the winners on results so far.
An interesting weekend of football coming up. Is there an upset hidden amongst one or two of the lopsided looking clashes? One never knows when one of the lesser lights may suddenly find form against an over confident favourite.
This weekend?s women?s football coverage will come from the Arrive Alive NSW Womens Super League with our reporter attending the Illawarra Stingrays v Bankstown Lions match.
However, our Player Interview in the Football NSW E Newsletter will be with NWS Koalas star Alicia Cavanagh. Subscribe now to the E Newsletter so you can be up to date with all the latest headlines on football throughout the state.
-By Ross Anderson