Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League Round 10 Preview

The wet spell has certainly played havoc with the competition schedule. If things don?t improve shortly all clubs may be required to purchase scuba gear and hire rubber dinghies so matches can be played!
This weekend certainly offers one blockbuster match up with second placed Macarthur Rams coming up against third on the ladder Manly United FC at Lynwood Park.
When these two sides met earlier in the competition it proved a tough, tight encounter with The Rams managing to escape Cromer Park with a 1-0 victory. Neither side appears to have gone backward in their form since that match with Macarthur, in particular, looking most impressive. Last week?s washed out game with Marconi Stallions may hurt Macarthur in another way though in that suspended star Kylie Ledbrook will now be missing from this Sunday?s match. Ledbrook?s drive out of midfield will be sadly missed by the defending premiers. That said, Macarthur don?t appear to be a side that lacks match winners.
Manly United FC have now missed their last two matches through cancellations. One can only hope that the Manly girls still remember how to play! The Manly side have looked impressive this season. Sunday?s game looms as a big test of their premiership credentials however. Manly don?t have a great record against The Rams in recent seasons so there?s a need for the visitors to put their best foot forward at Lynwood Park.
This game should be a good advertisement for the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League. Whilst The Rams are likely to start favourites you can be sure that Manly United FC won?t be making the long trip from the peninsula just to make up the numbers.
Competition cellar dwellers Penrith Nepean United play Sydney University at Cook Park.
Two weeks of washed out games has given Penrith Nepean some respite from their disappointing season.  We?re all looking for a little light on the horizon at the moment; Penrith even moreso. It will take a big effort for the locals to regroup but why not start next Sunday? Penrith will be calling on their more experienced players to try and lead the side out of the wilderness.
Sydney University have started the season in very good style, sitting in fourth place on the competition ladder with two games in hand. University have won the games they?ve been expected to win. They are still to prove their ability to match the leading sides in the competition but they definitely appear to be heading in the right direction. A finals spot beckons for the team in their present form.
Sydney University look the dominant side here. Penrith Nepean will be looking for a vast improvement to be able to test the visitors.
The Sutherland Sharks will host the Illawarra Stingrays at Harrie Dening Centre.
The Sharks won?t be looking forward to this game after the 15-0 thrashing they received from The Stingrays in the corresponding match earlier in the competition. Sutherland have struggled to compete this season though they put up a creditable effort against Sydney University last weekend. All the girls can do is hang in there and take each game as it comes.
The Stingrays come off a tough match with NWS Koalas last weekend. After being down 0-3 approaching half time the Illawarra girls managed to get out of jail with a 5-3 win. Circumstances worked out in The Stingrays favour during the second half of that game and they?ll be looking for a big improvement against The Sharks. The Stingrays have added some quality signings to their already formidable squad in recent weeks. They?ll be looking to maintain their competition lead.
This looks a lopsided clash on paper. I?m hoping for Sutherland?s sake that they can improve considerably on the round 3 scoreline.
The NWS Koalas meet Marconi Stallions at ELS Hall Park.
The Koalas would be a very frustrated side this week after last weekend?s epic against the Stingrays. After dominating the first half of the match things went pear shaped for The Koalas after half time. Apart from the match slipping out of their grasp they also had two influential players red carded, leaving them unavailable for the match with The Stallions. The depth at The Koalas has been sorely tested this season already; this weekend it could be taken to new heights!  The Koalas have now slipped outside the top four and need a win to keep in touch with the front runners.
Marconi haven?t enjoyed their best season in 2009. They?ve generally competed admirably in most games but lack the match winning players of previous seasons. This has made it tough for them to get over the line in the tight matches. It?s been a frustrating time for Coach Mauro Tacco as he?s watched his girls slip down the ladder. The Stallions meet The Koalas at the right time considering the hosts carry over absences as a result of last week. Will that be enough to turn the tide Marconi?s way?
I have a feeling that this one may be closer than looks likely according to the stats. Both sides need the points.
As I?m typing this preview a strange light has appeared in the sky. No, it?s not an alien spaceship, it?s the sun! Now, if we can only get the big red ball in the sky to hang around for a few days. Good luck to all the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League sides this weekend; both in making it onto the field and in your battle for premiership points.
See you at the ground!
-By Ross Anderson