Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League Round 20 Preview

With only a fortnight until the first round of finals action Illawarra Stingrays, Macarthur Rams, Manly United FC and NWS Koalas will be looking to gather momentum for the big matches ahead.

ELS Hall Park sees the clash between fourth placed NWS Koalas and second placed Macarthur Rams. Last year?s Grand Finalists haven?t quite dominated the competition in the manner they did last season but both are well in contention for honours again.
The Koalas have found some strong form in the last month, having fought off the challenge of Sydney University for fourth spot, and generally competed well against the other finalists. Last weekend they battled to take a point from Penrith Nepean United. However, The Koalas solid win over Manly United FC the week before appears a better pointer to their prospects in this match. The Koalas have a good blend of experienced players and promising youngsters rising through the ranks. This year has had a touch of ?rebuilding? about it and things look promising for the future.
The Macarthur Rams seem to thrive of the sniff of finals fever which starts to permeate the air at this time of the season. Their big guns start to fire and The Rams certainly have some major firepower to call on! Stephanie Haim?s hat trick against Sydney University last weekend was a timely reminder of the 2008 Platinum Medal winner?s goal scoring ability. Much of Macarthur?s attacking venom revolves around their midfield maestro, Kylie Ledbrook. The Sydney FC W League star is a big match player and she?s sure to impose herself on this encounter.
Games between these two sides are always entertaining. I can?t see this one being an exception. The Rams have had the wood on The Koalas in recent seasons but, then again, they had the wood on Manly United FC until a couple of weeks ago too, didn?t they?  
The other mega clash of the weekend is at J.J.Kelly Park where the competition leaders, Illawarra Stingrays, meet third placed Manly United FC.
The Stingrays seem to have been in something of a hibernation since their big win over Macarthur Rams some weeks back. Yes, they?ve still been winning their games but they?ve not been producing the sort of dominant play we?ve come to expect from them. However, maybe this is all be part of Coach Brett Wallin?s master plan to have his team peaking at just the right time? This writer has waxed lyrical about the many talented players in this Illawarra side; whether it be the established stars like Heyman, Carney, Cooper, Camilleri or the young guns such as Mayo, Kerrigan and Kramer. It will take a tremendous effort from to prise the title from The Stingrays grasp this season.
Manly United FC went from being the giant killers to the slain giants within a week after beating Macarthur Rams and then falling to NWS Koalas. The Manly side clawed their way back into the winner?s list with a hard fought 2-0 win over Sutherland Sharks last Sunday. Coach Larry Bates will have been working hard to have his girls in the same frame of mind as they were at Cromer Park when they broke their Rams hoodoo. Manly have impressed as a side with pace and skill. They?ll acquit themselves well come finals time but Sunday?s game is certainly a good test of where they?re at leading into the end of season deciders.
A win for The Stingrays removes any chance of them being overtaken as Minor Premiers. They?ll be keen to confirm that title on their home turf. Manly?s win against The Rams keeps coming to mind whenever I get doubts about their credentials. This will be a tough battle between two of the league?s most attractive attacking sides.
At Harrie Dening Centre the Sutherland Sharks will meet Penrith Nepean United.
Whilst these two sides sit at the bottom of the ladder both have shown signs of life in recent weeks. Sutherland?s improved performances have not necessarily translated into points but they have shown more spirit, giving their fans a lot more value. This would obviously be a game that The Sharks would feel they could win. They?re last effort against Penrith at Cook Park was pretty ordinary. They?ll need to do much better this time around but may have a point to prove. Having been married for 27 years I know that a woman with a pint to prove can be a very dangerous adversary!
Penrith Nepean United have sprung a couple of surprises in recent weeks. A convincing win over Sydney University, an honourable draw with NWS Koalas; the Penrith girls have really shown their mettle. Now they come into a game where they are likely to start favourites against a team they?ve already beaten once this season. How will Penrith react to this new role? There?s a lot of young talent in this Penrith side; talent that may hold a good future for Penrith if they can keep things together. They?ll come ready to play on Sunday.
I suspect that there won?t be much in this game. Both teams will come into the game thinking they can win. It may be a matter of who out enthuses who on the day.
The final game for review will be at Marconi Stadium where Marconi Stallions host Sydney University.
Earlier encounters between these two sides have seen a narrow 2-1 win to Sydney University and a 2-2 draw. Marconi?s 2009 season has been pretty miserable from a whole lot of different angles. They?ve lost some talented squad members both during the off season and then in the early rounds of the competition. There?s been limited success on the field for the girls which must be very disheartening for a club that?s used to success. Playing for pride, and with a tough game ahead against Manly United in the final round next week, Marconi will think this is the chance to snare one last win for 2009.
Sydney University have gone from being finals contenders to strugglers in a fairly short period of time. Though their finals hopes have evaporated Sydney University have put up a couple of good performances in recent weeks against competition powerhouses Illawarra Stingrays and Macarthur Rams. That form would be good enough to have them going into this match as favourites. I?m sure that the squad would like to finish the season on a high; what better way than with wins in their last two matches? Marconi and NWS Koalas may have different ideas though!
The stats between these two sides this season would predict a close match. Both teams will be keen to add some more competition points to their tally. Who wants it more?
This is a very interesting round of matches. There won?t be much in any of these games so expect some close results. With the finishing post in sight every team will be looking to take some positive memories from the 2009 season.
Good luck to everyone on the weekend.
-By Ross Anderson