Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League Round 16 Preview

Last weekend saw the Illawarra Stingrays take a big stride towards the coveted Minor Premiership flag with a narrow 1-0 win over the Macarthur Rams. The NWS Koalas lost the opportunity to take a vice like grip on the fourth finals spot when beaten by bottom of the table Sutherland Sharks. Whilst Sydney University couldn?t take advantage of the Koalas slip up the result did, at least, leave them with a shot at making the play offs.
This weekend doesn?t look to be one where upsets are at a premium but, as Sutherland Sharks showed last Sunday, anything can happen in the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League.
The big match of the weekend would appear to be the NWS Koalas v Illawarra Stingrays game at ELS Hall Park. This one takes on particular significance for The Koalas as a win is essential to maintain their spot in the top four. The team were disappointing last weekend but they may take some confidence into this match via their performance against The Stingrays at J.J.Kelly Park earlier in the season. That day The Koalas started brilliantly and had the Illawarra side on the ropes. Unfortunately the second half became something of a disaster for The Koalas with two players being red carded and they ended up losing the game. Dwell on the positives and the locals have a show in this game.
The Stingrays were up for last week?s encounter with the defending premiers. They showed plenty of grit to come through the loss of striker Michelle Heyman in the second half and hold The Rams at bay. As good as Heyman may be I?m not sure that having her on the suspension list this week will affect The Stingrays; they have so many other form players who are more than capable of turning the game. Sunday may be more a mental challenge than anything else for The Stingrays. Often sides find it tough to back up after a pivotal match such as last Sunday?s Illawarra v Macarthur game. If The Stingrays are on their game they?ll take plenty of beating.
Both sides have plenty to play for. This should be an entertaining afternoon of football.
At Cook Park St Mary?s the Penrith Nepean United side take on Manly United FC.
The local side have had a tough season but have put in some reasonable performances in recent matches. Last weekend saw them go down against the Marconi Stallions; not a good form reference for a match with third placed Manly side. Penrith are a young side and, whilst youthful enthusiasm is a worthwhile asset, it doesn?t take the place of experience. The girls will give a good account of themselves but they?ll need to lift appreciably against one of the stronger teams in the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League.
Manly United FC sits safely in the semi final equation. They?ve looked serious contenders since the opening rounds of the competition but there are still doubts about their ability to match the league?s two leading sides. All you can do is keep winning and Manly did a professional job in getting past Sydney University last weekend. Manly haven?t thrown away any points this season in matches they were favoured to win. A look at the competition table would make you think that Sunday?s game falls into that category.
It?s tough to see Penrith Nepean taking points off Manly United FC here but I?m sure they?ll be trying.
At Lynwood Park the Macarthur Rams will be looking to rebound from last Sunday?s loss to the Illawarra Stingrays when they clash with Marconi Stallions.
Last season the matches between these two sides were tense struggles laced with plenty of feeling. Whilst The Rams continue to impress as they battel for a third straight title The Stallions have endured one of their more disappointing seasons in recent memory. The Stallions did bounce back last week with a 2-0 win over Penrith Nepean United but face a big class rise on Sunday. With a team stripped of all it?s ?name players? Marconi face an uphill struggle for the rest of the 2009 season but I suspect that the powers that be at Bossley Park are already planning for a resurgence next year.
The Rams will be disappointed to have offered Illawarra Stingrays the chance to snatch the Minor Premiership with their loss in last weekend?s big clash. All that Macarthur can do now is keep winning and hope that The Stingrays slip up somewhere along the way. The Rams miserly defence has only given up three goals this season and, against a Marconi side devoid of major attacking weapons, Macarthur would go into this game with confidence. Macarthur looked much more capable last Sunday when their midfield general, Kylie Ledbrook, appeared. Maybe The Rams should find her a job on the payroll so her work commitments are all football?
The Rams will start hot favourites for this game. Marconi will need to improve considerably to push the title aspirants.
The fourth game of Round 16 in the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League sees Sydney University hosting the Sutherland Sharks at Hensley Athletic Field.
Sydney University not only need to win their remaining games but also hope that other results fall their way if they?re to make the finals. The University side has proven quite competitive during 2009 but, like many sides in the league, lack that potent goal scorer who can get them over the line in the close ones. What?s hurt most though is dropping points against sides lower on the competition ladder. That?s certainly the most worrying part about this game; it looks a possible banana skin for the University side. With so much to play though you?d expect that Sydney University will be primed for nothing less than a win on Sunday.
The Sutherland Sharks may still be celebrating last weekend?s surprise win over NWS Koalas. The Sharks haven?t shown a lot of spirit in their play this season but their come from behind success against The Koalas was their best effort of 2009. Coach Michael Michael hasn?t stopped smiling since Sunday and will have his fingers crossed that his girls can dish out another upset this weekend. Whilst The Sharks have lost both games to University this season I?m sure they?ll be keen to turn the table on the home side come Sunday.
I?m thinking this may be a lot closer than the standings predict. Sydney University have the motivation of a possible finals spot to fire them up though and that may be the difference.
We?re getting closer to the finals and your team needs your support. Do yourself a favour and get out to an Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League game this weekend. You won?t be disappointed!
Good luck to all the teams on Sunday. 
-By Ross Anderson