Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League Round 8 Preview

Already the Arrive Alive Premier League match between Penrith Nepean United FC and Marconi Stallions has been washed out whilst other games will be under threat if the wet weather continues.
The round of football does promise to be an exciting one if games do proceed with the competition?s top four teams doing battle. The Round 1 matches between these sides provided a couple of close, hard fought matches. Let?s hope that the pitch conditions provide these sides with the chance to play some attractive football.
At J.J.Kelly Park top of the table Illawarra Stingrays meet third placed Macarthur Rams. These two sides have looked most competitive in 2009 with Illawarra?s return to the top flight of women?s football in the state being marked by some five star performances. The Stingrays certainly know how to score a goal with striker Michelle Heyman in scintillating form in recent weeks. Illawarra took the honours from The Rams in their initial clash this season. The Rams were down a few key players that day but The Stingrays will be keen to prove that their win was no fluke.
The Rams come off a 9-0 win over the Sutherland Sharks last weekend. Mid field maestro Kylie Ledbrook is starting to hit her straps and that always spells danger for opposing teams. Ledbrook and Rams striker Stephanie Haim made mincemeat of the Sharks defence last Sunday. A repeat performance against The Stingrays this weekend will certainly see Macarthur well on the way to victory.
This promises to be a terrific game of football; well worth the drive down to Wollongong for an afternoon?s entertainment.
Sydney University will play host to second placed Manly United FC at Sydney University Oval.
The home side has been in good form this season. With four wins from six matches Sydney University sit in fourth place on the competition table. They showed their potential as finals candidates with a solid 2-1 win over NWS Koalas last Sunday. A repeat of that performance in this weekend?s encounter with the high flying peninsula girls would certainly have every team in the league looking over their shoulders for a Sydney University charge.
Manly United FC have been very impressive this season. Their blend of youth and experience has proven to be a winner with the team proving much more consistent than in the 2008 season. They proved too solid for Marconi Stallions last week but will be anticipating a tougher assignment come Sunday. Gill Foster is leading by example for the Manly side and will be a pivotal player in this encounter.
Another match up that has the potential to be a blockbuster. There won?t be much between these two sides come the final whistle.
The final game in Round 8 is the match between NWS Koalas and Sutherland Sharks at ELS Hall Park.
The Koalas started the season strongly but have come back to earth with a thud in recent weeks, having collected only two points from a possible twelve from their last four games. They went down narrowly to Sydney University last Sunday but their performance in gaining a 0-0 draw with Macarthur Rams the previous week is more reflective of their best form. Facing the struggling Sharks unit this Sunday The Koalas will be keen to regather their rhythm and start a move back up the ladder.
What can one say about the Sutherland Sharks in 2009? The Shire girls have battled their way through a fairly miserable season so far. After finally snatching a win a fortnight ago against Penrith United FC, The Sharks were back in the doldrums last Sunday when they took a 9-0 hammering at the hands of the Macarthur Rams. No game looks easy for Sutherland at the moment and a match up with the 2008 Grand Finalists will be a difficult assignment.
This looks a one sided clash but life is full of surprises.
Let?s keep our fingers crossed that the weather comes good and we get to watch some quality football this weekend. The matches between our top four teams, in particular, may offer a good guide for what lies ahead comes finals time. Good luck everyone!
-By Ross Anderson