Arrive Alive Women?s Super League Round 2 Preview

 The young ladies from Gladesville Ravens will be enjoying the bye this weekend though you can be sure that Coach Paul Wade will keep the girls busy so they?re ready to go in Round 3.
Last weekend produced some strong performances, especially from the league ?new girls? at Eastern UNSW Lions and Springwood United FC. Neither took home three points but The Lions shared the laurels with APIA Leichhardt Tigers whilst Springwood led until the last quarter of their match with St George FC. This certainly made all the other teams in the league sit up and take notice!
This weekend Eastern UNSW Lions travel to St George Stadium to take on St George FC. St George would have been very pleased to start 2010 with a win. The taste of success is very alluring and I?m sure that St George would like to continue the momentum with another win on Sunday. They may not have been overly impressive in Round 1 but they certainly showed plenty of determination to grind out a result.
Eastern UNSW Lions weren?t necessarily expected to press APIA Leichhardt Tigers last week but they put in a meritorious effort to hold on for a 2-2 draw. That result promised much but can The Lions back it up in Round 2? Of course! I?m sure that the girls are already looking forward to their second week in the big time.
St George FC had a pretty ordinary 2009 season but maybe last week signified a change in their fortunes. Eastern UNSW Lions will be on a high after last week but I?m going to go for another St George win.
The Northern Tigers will host PCYC Lady Hawks at Mills Park.
Both sides tasted defeat last week; Northern Tigers at the hands of Gladesville Ravens, the Lady Hawks to Blacktown Spartans. Obviously the two teams will be keen to kick start their respective seasons with a win this Sunday.
The Tigers put up a respectable effort against Ravens but, like last season, their grit didn?t transfer into a result. They have some very capable players but seem to lack the necessary experience to win the close ones. An early goal on Sunday could be the tonic to lift their game on Sunday.
Whether or not Lady Hawks are in the mood to give The Tigers a head start is another thing however. PCYC looked very good at the back end of last season and their lacklustre effort against Blacktown was a bit of a surprise. It certainly wouldn?t be beyond them to bounce back this weekend with a solid performance.
This gives the impression that it could be an arm wrestle but I favour PCYC Lady Hawks to take the points.
Lambert Park sees a clash between two of the sides considered amongst the title contenders when APIA Leichhardt Tigers meet Central Coast Lightning.
APIA were strongly favoured last Sunday but were held to a draw by newcomers Eastern UNSW Lions. That form may yet prove to be worth more than it seems on paper but the result would have disappointed APIA Coach Tarek Madani. He?ll be expecting much more from his talented team this week.
Central Coast Lightning sat through the bye last week. In 2009 they were worthy semi finalists. The Lightning girls played some bright attacking football; the sort of football they?ll want to repeat this season. This opening game will be a good test for the Central Coast team as they set their sights on taking things a step or two further in 2010.
At Francis Park Round 1 winners Blacktown Spartans will be seeking to go back to back against Springwood United FC
The Spartans produced a fine effort to down PCYC Lady Hawks last Sunday. In 2009 Blacktown showed some promising signs; can they translate that into finals contention in 2010? They don?t need trip on an early banana skin which Springwood may have the ability to provide.
Springwood United FC also turned in a good effort with their narrow loss to St George FC. Blacktown may prove a tougher nut to crack. Nonetheless Springwood should have taken some real positives from last week. Maybe their luck will run for ninety minutes this week rather than seventy?
Blacktown must start favourites this Sunday. Springwood will give it their best shot but I believe that The Spartans could be big improvers in 2010.
This is shaping as one of the most competitive seasons in years. There?s any number of finals contenders and the new blood in the competition adds some extra interest. The Arrive Alive Women?s Super League has plenty going for it in 2010 so do yourself a favour and get out to a ground to enjoy some good football.
See you at the ground this Sunday.
-By Ross Anderson