Arrive Alive Women?s Super League Round 6 Preview

 You?d like to find that present with the personal touch; something that shows Mum that you really care. Well, this Mother?s Day, I?m here to help you. Forget those new slippers, flowers, chocolates or other mundane token gifts. This year you can really get Mum excited by taking her to the football! Just imagine her delight when you pick her up in your car, blindfold her and drive to somewhere like, well, Parklands Oval. Can?t you picture the look of sheer pleasure on Mum?s face when you remove the blindfold and she?s confronted by Tiger the Wonder Dog and all the Northern Tigers girls? Isn?t this what Mother?s Day is all about? Football, of course!
Personally I?ll be leaving my sons to deal with the afternoon Mother?s Day chores as I trek out to Ron Routley Reserve to catch the match of the round between Inter Lions and Southern NSW FC. This promises to be a fine game of football between two of the top sides in the Arrive Alive Women?s Super League.
The Lions have faltered somewhat in recent weeks. Their first defeat of the season at the hands of Western NSW Panthers was followed by a narrow win over cellar dwellers the Northern Tigers last weekend. The girls from Concord started the season in blistering form; something they?ll be looking to recapture this weekend. Coach Joe Baldacci has put together a very talented side for the 2009 season but games are played on the park, not on the team sheet. The Lions should be primed for a big performance this weekend against another title contender.
Southern NSW FC are looking for their fourth successive win on Sunday. Their run of success culminated in a strong 3-0 win over Sydney Tigers last weekend. Having slain two lots of tigers in successive weeks the big game hunters from Nowra will now go searching for some more big cats. Considering the way Southern?s big guns are firing at the moment there?s every chance they could have a lion?s head mounted on the wall of their clubhouse after this Sunday?s game.
Both teams are possessed of plenty of goal scoring talent that should make this match a pulsating exhibition of football. My tip? Well, for what it?s worth I?ll go for a narrow Inter Lions win.
Over at Parklands Oval the home side, Northern Tigers, continue to chase their first win of the season. This Sunday they host the PCYC Lady Hawks who, after a great start to their Arrive Alive Women?s Super League debut season, have slumped to successive defeats.
The Tigers put in a big effort last week against Inter Lions. The weekend before they led Southern NSW FC until the latter stages of their match at Ison Park. These performances make me think that Northern Tigers position on the table is a false reflection of this young team?s ability. They are going to snatch some competition points very soon.
PCYC Lady Hawks have run into two of the title contenders in recent weeks and not fared too well. They will appreciate what looks to be a drop in class this weekend. The Lady Hawks will take heart from their two season opening wins over Blacktown and Gladesville. Any doubts that the newcomers had about competing in the league would have been overcome from that taste of success.
I believe that this will be a close match. I haven?t seen PCYC Lady Hawks in action so far this season but I did catch Northern Tigers game against Western NSW Panthers. I was impressed by the effort the youthful Tigers team put in that day and I?ll go for the upset here in predicting their first win for 2009.
Gladesville Ravens meet those other Tigers, the Sydney ones, at Magdala Park.
The Ravens bounced back into the winner?s list last weekend with a narrow but well deserved win over St George FC. That was Gladesville?s first win since round 1 so the mood at training this week is sure to have been much brighter. The team has struggled this season when they?ve run into one of the competition?s leading sides. The Tigers are considered by many to be in the elite sides in 2009. Can The Ravens lift to the next level?
The Sydney Tigers suffered a surprise defeat last Sunday at the hands of Southern NSW FC. Maybe the result itself wasn?t the largest part of the surprise but moreso the seemingly comprehensive manner of the 3-0 loss. The Tigers suffered further with the loss of the influential Lisa Gilbert for a significant period with an achilles injury. Gilbert?s loss doesn?t leave the Tigers bereft of talent but the Sydney FC star will be sorely missed. Was last week?s defeat the one The Tigers had to have to get their engine revving?
I think that the Sydney Tigers can grab the competition points here.
The 2009 season seems to be taking on a more promising look for the Blacktown Spartans than their 2008 campaign. With two wins and a draw from five matches The Spartans appear to be putting it all together as they sneak up the ladder. Goal scoring is still an issue for them just at the moment but Coach Neil Ross is working hard on rectifying the problem. Preventing Bronwyn Jarvis from trying to saw her fingers off would be a positive Neil. I never knew that being a cabinet maker was such a dangerous occupation!
St George FC are yet to record win in three matches. However, the team?s performances have not been devoid of promise. The St George girls were well in the match against Ravens last week until half time but were dominated in the second half. If St George can put their two best halves of football together they?ll start gathering competition points. This game offers an opportunity for St George, if they can lift just a couple of notches on the bar; that?s the high jump bar not the drinking one!
I think this may be a close one but, on form, you?d expect Blacktown to start favourites.
In the final match for review from Round 6 the competition leaders, Western NSW Panthers FC, will be seeking to continue on their winning way against Central Coast Lightning at Alec Lamberton Field.
With the greatest of respect to The Panthers they don?t look quite as damaging this season as they did at many stages of 2008. However, they?re no less likely to be successful. With Gillian Rosconi continuing to score goals, a reliable midfield and a solid defence the girls from Bathurst ask the big question of every team they play. Am I a fan? Well, yes, I probably am. These girls are a real football team; that word ?team? being the one the important one.
Central Coast Lightning have had a mixed bag of results this season. Two wins, two losses but certainly competitive in every game they?ve contested. I get the impression that the Lightning girls may be in the ?second tier? of teams in this league right now but they have the potential to take the next step. Sunday?s game with the table toppers, especially in beautiful Bathurst, will be a test of just how much potential the team has. Given the size of their local football nursery and the determination that local administrators have to bring success to the women?s football programme on the coast I?m sure that Central Coast will be back in the big time very soon.
The Panthers are the experts of grafting out wins in the tough games. I think that Lightning will give their hosts a run for their money but I expect The Panthers to win the points.
This looks like a genuinely competitive weekend of football. There appears to be some very even match ups and it?s a weekend that could supply some upset results.
I?d like to take this opportunity to wish all the Mums out there a very special day tomorrow. Thanks for everything that you do for us. Mums are the most important people in the world. Enjoy your day. 
-By Ross Anderson