Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League Round 18 Preview

This majority of this Sunday?s games look clear cut if you take the competition table as a guide. But, just how good a form guide is that table?
At ELS Hall Park the NWS Koalas take home ground advantage against the Manly United FC side. Both teams are coming off important wins last Sunday. Each team has plenty of reason to crave a win this week; Manly to keep alive their chances for a major semi final spot, The Koalas to cement fourth spot in the finals.
The Koalas jumped six points clear of fifth placed Sydney University with their win over Marconi Stallions last week. With just four games remaining before the finals The Koalas look to have a mortgage on a place in the finals. Sunday sees them clash with a side they may very well meet in the opening semi final in a few weeks time. Manly United have had the wood on Koalas this season, having beaten them both times the teams have met, but The Koalas are capable of an upset on their best form.
Manly United FC played some top class football in last week?s win over Macarthur Rams at Cromer Park. Manly withstood everything The Rams threw at them and then finished over the top of the defending premiers. Caitlan Jarvie was in tremendous form last week. The Manly striker will be keen to add to her bag of goals on Sunday. Manly showed everyone what a good side they really are last weekend. That win should give them great momentum leading into the finals series.
This promises to be an entertaining match. Manly were very impressive last weekend, but NWS Koalas showed in their match against Illawarra a fortnight back that they?re afraid of no team in the competition.
The Sutherland Sharks will host Marconi Stallions at Harrie Dening Centre. Neither side will remember the 2009 season with any joy. Both will be keen to grab some consolation points with a win here.
The Sharks have been very ordinary for most of the season. However, in the last few weeks they have played with much more spirit. Their last three games have seen a win over NWS Koalas and two honourable defeats at the hands of Sydney University and Illawarra Stingrays. A repeat of that sort of form would see them in with a better than even money chance in this match. Sutherland would like to finish 2009 on as positive a note as they can.
Marconi Stallions haven?t played that badly in recent weeks either. True to say though that their efforts seem to have been competitive up until half time then they?ve fallen away. It would be reasonable to suggest that Sunday?s match represents a drop in class for The Stallions who?d fancy their chances against the prospective wooden spooners. Their must be a cloud with a silver lining somewhere for last season?s Club Champions. 
There?s not much between these two sides; a narrow win to Marconi in their first match, a thrilling 3-3 draw in their second. Sunday will come down to who?s got the most interest in winning.
The Illawarra Stingrays play Sydney University at J.J.Kelly Park this week.
The Stingrays seemed a little flat last week in their 2-0 win over Sutherland. Whether that was a let down from their big win over Macarthur the week before or just an off day is hard to tell. The positive sign for The Stingrays is that, even on an off day, they have enough talent in their squad to squeeze out a win. The Stingrays have lost youngster Talitha Kramer for two weeks with injury whilst one or two others are still under a cloud. When you?ve got a team that lists names like Carney, Heyman, Connor, Camilleri and Cooper you can deal with these minor setbacks!
It?ll be interesting to see how much last week?s loss to Penrith Nepean United has taken out of Sydney University. The defeat virtually torpedoed their finals prospects as they?ve fallen two wins out of the top four. It?s a disappointing scenario for team that has its fair share of ability. Coach Jim Patikas may have some work on his hands to get his girls ?up? for this game against a rather lethal opponent. Sydney University meet three of the top four sides in the last four weeks of the competition. It?s a big ask but a string of wins would make for a positive finish to the season.
The Stingrays have looked deadly in 2009. With the Minor Premiership seemingly at their mercy they won?t want to slip up here. Sydney University will need to lift but an upset victory might just reignite their season.
Lynwood Park will be the venue for the round?s final match for preview; the Macarthur Rams versus Penrith Nepean United clash.
Two weeks ago The Rams were the nominal favourites for the title with a string of wins highlighted by plenty of goals and a miserly defence. However, successive defeats by Illawarra Stingrays and Manly United FC have left the defending champions battered and bruised. With a catch up match against Marconi Stallions taking place mid week The Rams will have tired legs by Sunday. They are now locked in a battel fro second place with Manly so every point will be at a premium for the girls from Campbelltown.
Penrith Nepean United surprised almost everyone with their game effort to beat Sydney University last week. Despite falling behind in the opening minute of the game the Penrith girls showed plenty of ticker to fight back and, eventually, overwhelm the more fancied University side. They meet the undermanned Rams at the right time but can they produce a repeat of last weekend?s performance against one of the league?s more formidable sides?
I can?t remember the last time Rams lost two in a row. Is it possible for them to lose three? I?m sure they?ll be keen to show that they?re not out of the race just yet. Penrith will be doing their best to make Macarthur?s life difficult.
There are certainly some attractive games on offer this weekend. With more fine weather predicted a day at the football would be a great way to spend your time. Where better than at one of the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League matches. See you at the game.
Good luck to all teams this weekend.
-By Ross Anderson