Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League Round 5 Preview

 However our competition table is somewhat complicated due to the number of matches disrupted by weather this season. The top four teams are, in fact, the only teams that have played all four of their matches. Multiple catch up games face both Sydney University and Illawarra Stingrays. The Stingrays already have an extensive injury list so ?double up? weeks are not what the girls from Wollongong are after.
Penrith Nepean United have had a fairly ordinary start to the 2009 season. They?ve yet to win a match and took quite a pummelling last weekend at the hands of the Macarthur Rams. Are looking pretty bleak for the Penrith girls right now and aren?t likely to get better against a NWS Koalas side that has been playing some good football.
The Koalas suffered their first defeat of the season last Sunday against Manly United FC. Whilst outplayed by the Manly side the Koalas weren?t disgraced. Given their previous run of victories they?d be entitled to come into this game as warm favourites. The NWS girls will be keen to rebound back into the winner?s list here.
This looks like a comfortable Koalas win if one uses current form as a guide.
Manly United FC, who now sits second on the competition table, were quite impressive last weekend in their win over NWS Koalas. The goal by Gill Foster, by itself, was worth the price of admission. What is the price of admission nowadays? Anyway, Manly impressed this reporter with their flowing style of football. They seem to have found a good blend of youthful enthusiasm and experience in 2009 and I predict that they?ll be amongst the more serious contenders for honours this season.
Sutherland Sharks have failed to find any form so far this year though last week?s 1-0 loss to Marconi was a vast improvement, at least on the scoreboard. However, The Sharks only problem of scoring goals has reared it?s ugly head again with The Shire girls unable to remove the duck egg from next to their name on the scoreboard in their three matches so far. This doesn?t appeal as the match where their luck may change.
Again, the form guide says Manly United FC should win well.
Over at Marconi Stadium the struggling Stallions play host to the Illawarra Stingrays.
The Stallions don?t look the same side in 2009, either on the field or the team sheet. With a lot of new faces and the loss of many experienced campaigners The Stallions appear to be battling to match the competitions leading sides. A mid week 5-0 loss to Macarthur Rams at Lynwood Park would have done nothing to appease the doubters who see The Stallions battling to make the finals.
Illawarra?s biggest problem so far in 2009 seems to have been the weather. With two washed out games and problems finding a permanent home for the start of the season The Stingrays have found their return to the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier league to be a frustrating one. Their defensive line has been ravaged by s series of season ending injuries but their attacking weaponry seems even more potent than in 2008. Trudy Camilleri and Ash Connor will be keen to inflict some hurt on their former team come Sunday.
Illawarra have looked good in the only two outings this season. I believe that they?ll have too much go forward for The Stallions on Sunday.
In the final game of the round, Sydney University welcome the high flying Macarthur Rams to Sydney University Oval.  Sydney University?s start to 2009 has been every bit as frustrating as that of The Stingrays. The University girls have been at home with their feet up for the last two weekends due to their matches being washed out. In their only two games of the season they have shown promise of being potential finals contenders this year. Sunday?s game against the defending Premiers will certainly answer some questions about University?s hopes of success this year.
The Rams stared the season with a narrow loss to The Stingrays. Since then, however, with a full compliment of players back on board, the Macarthur girls have looked their old, fearsome selves. Two comprehensive victories in the last five days over Penrith Nepean United and Marconi Stallions have the 2007/2008 champions atop the ladder. This is a seriously good football team who seem to be brimming with confidence.
I can?t go past The Rams on their recent efforts. I will, however, be keen to see just what the University side have to offer. This should be a good game of football.
If this weekend?s games go the way of the favourite backers then the top three may break away from the pack, even at this early stage. NWS Koalas, Macarthur Rams and Manly United have certainly made strong starts to 2009. However, Illawarra Stingrays and Sydney University look like making a race of it for a finals spot. Marconi Stallions will need to lift as their normally guaranteed finals participation, even at this early stage looks under siege. Penrith Nepean United and Sutherland Sharks will need to improve ten fold on their present form to avoid long and arduous seasons.
One thing is for certain. There are some great players on show in the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League. With players from this season?s W League competition plus others who are sure to challenge for spots in that league?s second season later in the year there?s lots of skills for all football lovers to appreciate. See you at the game this Sunday!

-By Ross Anderson