Arrive Alive Women?s Super League Round 15 Preview

The finals are looming and the fight for top four spots is not quite done and dusted. This weekend?s round has a number of games which could be very telling in the final wash up so expect some hard fought contests.
In Bathurst the Western NSW Panthers FC will welcome the visiting Central Coast Lightning side.
Central Coast will have fond memories of their last visit to Alec Lamberton Field, coming away 2-0 winners over what was then a stuttering Panthers side. The Panthers have turned things around in recent weeks though, showing some of their better form and consolidating second spot on the competition ladder. Central Coast sit third on the ladder; their chances of achieving a top two finish are still alive but this match will be of vital consequence. Besides the possible positive outcomes of a win here Central Coast also need to be wary of the following pack as Sydney Tigers and Southern NSW FC are still capable of tipping The Lightning out of the finals altogether. I was impressed with central Coast when I saw them in action against Blacktown Spartans a fortnight ago. They are a capable young side who play attractive football.
The Panthers are a side I?ve always enjoyed watching. They are a determined team who always find a way to get a result. They can play some ?pretty? football but can also get down in the trenches when that style is required. Whilst Gillian Rosconi patrols the strike region The Panthers are always dangerous. Yes, they seemed to go through a rough patch for a few weeks but Coach Paul Waine has now got his team rolling again. The Panthers are always title contenders and nothing I?ve seen this season would change that opinion. Bathurst hasn?t proven in 2009 to be quite the fortress it?s been in previous seasons but any team that travels to meet The Panthers at home know that they?ll be in for a tough time. This team seem to relish games similar to what awaits them on Sunday.
This will be quite a game. Both sides have plenty to play for. I?m sure that the spectators won?t notice the Bathurst chill as these two teams turn up the heat on the pitch.
Down in Nowra the finals race will also be in focus as the home team clash with the competition leader, Inter Lions.
The last time these two sides met Southern NSW FC took a fearful hammering on the scoreboard. The game was actually a lot more competitive than the scoreline looked as Southern NSW certainly gave Inter plenty to think about defensively. Southern will be missing their main strike weapon, Katie French, and will need a new strategy at both ends of the park to turn the table on Inter. Their Round 14 loss to Sydney Tigers has done them no favours as they?ve now slipped outside the top four. They can?t afford to let those sides nearest to them open a gap on the table so a big effort is needed from here on in.
The Lions appear to have moved along in safety mode at various times this season. No-one can doubt that they are a classy side but too often this season they seem to have relied on a burst of individual brilliance from one of their stars rather than producing a solid 90 minute effort. When this side put it all together they are capable of some very special football. I guess as a fan and purist I?d just like to see more of it! When you look through the Lions squad list and see names like Cannuli, Spirovski, Calvi, Tomkins, Goss and the like it has one salivating at the type of football the side can produce. With the finals just around the corner and the Minor Premiership seemingly in the bag it might be a signal for The Lions to click up a gear and show us what they can really do.
I don?t doubt that Southern NSW FC will make a game of this but can they match motors with the league?s most outstanding side? Only time will tell.
The Sydney Tigers will attempt to maintain their surge for the finals when they host Gladesville Ravens at Lambert Park.
The Tigers are now fourth on the ladder but have two games in hand. Coach Tarek Madani is still hopeful that his side can win a top two spot for the finals. The only way to make that a reality is for his team to keep winning. The Tigers come into the match off a solid performance against Southern NSW FC; a game where they showed something like their true potential. I?m hoping that this may be a sign that The Tigers are about to click; something that would send a shiver down the spine of all their possible finals opponents. With the players they have on board The Tigers have plenty going for them.
Gladesville Ravens late charge for the finals hit something of a bump in the road last week when they were held to a draw by PCYC Lady Hawks in a catch up match. The Ravens have been playing so well in recent weeks that the result was something of a surprise. They?ll now need something fairly miraculous to see them find a spot in the top four. Even so, they can cause plenty of damage in coming weeks if they maintain their form. Coach Paul Wade will be wondering why his girls didn?t find their game a little earlier in the season but I know that he?s proud of the way his side has bounced back. 
This could be the match of the round. Both sides are capable of playing an entertaining style of football. The Ravens may not have the big names that appear on the Sydney Tigers side of the match sheet but they have developed plenty of determination.
The improved PCYC Lady Hawks team meet Northern Tigers at Melita Stadium.
PCYC have really put it together in the last three or four weeks; coming up with some strong results that signify a growth in confidence. I?m not sure what the coaching staff have put in the girls water bottles but, whatever it is, it?s working! Whilst finals football is out of the question this season one would question what might lie ahead for this team in 2010 if they continue to go forward. What they?d like to do is finish their season with some winning performances which means games such as this one would be of the utmost importance.
The Northern Tigers are another side with potential; a young band of players who?ve given some efforts this season that put the lie to their position on the competition ladder. The experience of this season may stand them in good stead for the future. Right now though, the season has become quite a struggle for them. They need a couple of experienced heads to lead them around the park. This is a winnable game for them but do they have enough spark left in the engine to take it to Lady Hawks?
The form guide says PCYC but expect The Tigers to make a game of it.
The final game for review in Round 15 sees St George FC at home to Blacktown Spartans.
St George have just two wins for the season, having struggled with both injuries and squad numbers. A big win over Western NSW Panthers in Bathurst was the highlight of their season but things have gone downhill since then. The biggest achievement that the girls may garner from the 2009 season now is to avoid the wooden spoon. That will require a good deal of resolve in the coming weeks, starting with this match on Sunday.
Blacktown Spartans have put together some very competitive efforts this season but they?ve also tripped on a few unexpected banana skins. I feel that this team were capable of being higher up the ladder but have let points slip at vital stages. They showed enough against Inter Lions a couple of weekends back to make one think that, with a touch more experience here and there, they could be a team of promise. This is a game they?d be favoured to win but it?s also just the sort of game that?s caught them out this season.
Pride is what?s on the line here. The Spartans would like to finish the season in style. St George FC would like to break out of their rut. Anything could happen.
On paper this looks like one of the most competitive rounds of football this season. Some crackerjack games are on show with plenty of finals fever to spice up the action. Get out there and support your team in the Arrive Alive Women?s Super League.
-By Ross Anderson