Arrive Alive NSW Womens Premier League Round 6 Preview

There are some vital matches up for grabs this weekend.
A number of the top sides run into each other in what should be exciting contests. The last few weeks have offered up some intriguing results with injuries and form lapses plaguing a number of sides. Round 6 serves up a chance of consolidation for some and redemption for others. Who?ll be ready to put their best foot forward?
Central Coast Lightning host Penrith Nepean at Pluim Park. Lightning have struggled so far this season but put up a creditable performance last weekend against Marconi Stallions. Whether or not that may be a sign of the young Central Coast side turning the corner we?ll undoubtedly find out on Sunday. The girls and their Coach Scott Howison will be keen to grab their first points of the season.
Penrith were unable to build on the momentum of their win over Marconi Stallions due to last weekend?s washout of their game with Sydney University. If the euphoria of that initial win of the season, against one of the premiership favourites, has not worn off then Penrith Nepean will be very hard to beat in this contest. A Penrith win for mine.
Macarthur Rams come off their great win against NWS Koalas last week with a home match against the struggling Sydney University. Macarthur looked awesome at various stages last week with Kylie Ledbrook, Renee Cartwright and Sigrid Manty in fine form. Macarthur appeal as a side who have boundless goal scoring potential and that?s not a good sign for a University side that missed out last weekend after yet another washout. University will be looking for a repeat of their very competitive performance against NWS Koalas a few weeks back to remain competitive in this one. Macarthur by plenty for mine.
NWS Koalas will be looking to bounce back from their first defeat of the season last week with a win over the strong Manly United FC team at ELS Hall Park. Koalas had no reason to be downcast over last week?s effort. Injuries to key players at crucial stages didn?t help their cause but The Koalas stuck to their guns before conceding a late winner from a free kick. They sit second on the table with only goal difference separating them and Macarthur.
Manly have lost only one game this season, that being a narrow loss to Marconi Stallions in round two. A solid win over Sutherland Sharks last Sunday shows that their unfortunate run of washout games hasn?t affected their game. Manly appeal to me as a side that?ll be right in the firing line come finals time. This game presents an opportunity for them to put all the other contenders on notice. I?m predicting a close one; maybe a draw is the likely result?
The final match of the round pits the Sutherland Sharks against Marconi Stallions at Harrie Dening Centre. The Sharks have shown some sparkle at various stages this season but have been unable to match the title contenders in the last few weeks. Things don?t get any easier for the girls from the shire this week with The Stallions keen to reassert their premiership claims after some indifferent performances in the last two weeks. Injuries and a form slump seem to have the Stallions in a vulnerable state but Sutherland will need to lift considerably to break their run of outs in this one. Marconi face a big clash at home with NWS Koalas in round seven so they?ll be keen to get the wheels back on their little red wagon against The Sharks. I fancy Marconi narrowly but convincingly.
A full review of this weekend?s games will appear on the Football NSW website next Monday. Our Football NSW E Newsletter interview will be with Macarthur Rams in form striker Renee Cartwright.
-By Ross Anderson