Arrive Alive Women?s Super League Round 5 Preview

However, snipping at their heels are Southern NSW FC, Sydney Tigers, Central Coast Lightning and PCYC Lady Hawks. Competitions aren?t won in April, nor May either for that matter, but the solid starts by these sides have given them plenty of momentum as the early rounds tick by. The slow starters aren?t out of the running but have plenty of work to do to regain lost ground. The season is shaping as quite a competitive one with plenty of thrills and spills ahead.
This weekend?s most intriguing clash comes when the Sydney Tigers meet Southern NSW FC at Lambert Park. The Tigers haven?t necessarily hit their straps thus far but that hasn?t stopped them from winning. After a loss to Inter Lions in the season opener The Tigers have strung together three wins, culminating in a 5-0 whitewash of PCYC Lady Hawks on Thursday evening. I?ve only seen The Tigers once this season but they left a positive impression. There?s plenty of improvement in the side; a fact that must have their opponents very concerned. Lisa Gilbert has found her goal scoring form in recent matches and looms as a major force for The Tigers as their season finds its feet.
Southern NSW FC started the season slowly with consecutive losses. However, the girls from Ison Park have rebounded brightly with two solid wins at their last two starts. With ten goals in their last two matches, Southern NSW have begun to show their true capabilities. Katie French, in her last season with Southern before taking up a medical degree placement, has been instrumental in the turnaround though her goal scoring deeds have been complimented by a number of her team mates, including Louise Lloyd-Jones, who managed a hat trick last weekend.
Southern NSW took some time to get the better of Northern Tigers last weekend.  They won?t be able to afford a similar slow start against Sydney Tigers. I tip The Tigers to get away with this one.
Central Coast Lightning host the girls from Blacktown Spartans at Pluim Park. Central Coast have begun the season with promise, having won two of the three games they?ve played so far. They?re always hard to beat at home and, if they are to challenge for the title this season, Sunday?s game is the sort of match up where they need to ensure themselves of three points.
That said Blacktown Spartans won?t be any pushover. Apart from a rather lopsided clash with Inter Lions, The Spartans have looked quite competitive. They may lack a little firepower, however, with only one goal scored in four games. Until they solve that problem they?re going to struggle to beat the competitions more accomplished outfits.
Central Coast Lightning should win take the points here.
Inter Lions, fresh from their first defeat of 2009, meet Northern Tigers at Ron Routley Field. The Lions looked nominal premiership favourites up until last week when the Western NSW Panthers brought their winning run to an end. The Lions had been using calculators to keep track of their goal scoring feats up until last Sunday but The Panthers were far from intimidated. Still, if the old adage of ?this was the loss they had to have? rings true then The Lions may have learnt a valuable lesson from their trip to Bathurst. Too many players have been playing too well for last week to derail Inter?s season.
The young Tigers outfit have endured a tough season. I?ve often mentioned their youthful enthusiasm which, at the moment, is their greatest asset. Unfortunately they?re just lacking that touch of experience at vital stages; as with their rather sudden and dramatic capsize last weekend when in a winning position against Southern NSW FC. Whilst 2009 isn?t likely to be The Tigers year if they can keep this squad together it may pay dividends in the future.
The Lions look good things in this game.
PCYC Lady Hawks had a dream start to their inaugural season with two hard fought wins. A reality check was provided by Sydney Tigers, who handed out a 5-0 drubbing in Thursday night?s catch up game. Nonetheless PCYC have made a positive impression so far; one they?d like to build on against the competition leaders, Western NSW Panthers FC. PCYC will need to be cautious as The Panthers are the masters of the arm wrestle type of game that has brought the Lady Hawks their two wins so far. However, they?re in with a chance.
You?ve got to admire The Panthers. They are a tough side to beat, with a never say die attitude and a fine team spirit. Whilst they lost a few players from their 2008 squad the newcomers have stepped into the breach admirably. Whilst I?m a fan of the team and their coach I could not see them beating Inter Lions last week. But beat them they did. It?s very hard to bet against a side with a heart that big.
I think that The Panthers will take the points from this game back to Bathurst on Sunday.
The final game of the round sees St George FC open the gates of St George Stadium to Gladesville Ravens. Neither side will be happy with their start to the season. St George FC have played only two games so far for a narrow 2-0 loss to Sydney Tigers and a 4-1 defeat to Southern NSW. When one looks at the competition table those results don?t look too shabby. It?s time to get their season rolling however and this game presents a golden opportunity to snare some points.
Gladesville Ravens got their season off to a winning start against the Northern Tigers but haven?t been seen to advantage since. Their defence is the worst in the league, at least statistically, and their coach will be working hard to find a way to plug the holes. This side were worthy finalists last season but have a long way to go to find those heights in 2009. This is a pivotal game for them.
This game is a real toss of the coin affair. Both sides are capable of winning but I?m taking the coward?s way out and tipping a draw.
It?s come to my attention this week that some people may take my selections a little more seriously than I do. Please don?t take these things to heart. In ?tipping? I usually have very little knowledge of individual teams? injury concerns or player availability. It? rare that clubs give me that much information about what?s happening with their sides, preferring to play their cards close to their chests. So, it?s a bit of fun for me rather than a serious task of checking form guides and partaking of deep analysis. Football is a game after all, and games should bring pleasure not hard work.
Good luck to everyone this weekend. Get out to a game and cheer for your favourite team. The girls deserve your support.
-By Ross Anderson