Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League Round 3 Preview

The obvious highlight of round three is at Concord Oval where two of the competition?s three undefeated sides, Inter Lions and Manly United FC, cross swords.  Neither side has quite played to their potential so far, despite their early season success. A big match like this one may bring out the best in both line ups.
The home side have scored narrow wins over Marconi Stallions and Sutherland Sharks in the first two rounds. The Marconi result certainly looks much stronger after The Stallions defeated Macarthur Rams in round two. The Lions have put together a star studded squad for season 2010 but individual talent doesn?t necessarily make for a talented team. This game offers Inter the chance to show just what they have to offer this season. I?m expecting a big performance.
Manly United FC have managed two well deserved though not entirely convincing wins so far in 2010. Against Sutherland Sharks the Manly girls played some good football but finished poorly. There was improvement against Sydney University in round two in achieving a 4-2 win. Manly are always amongst the competition?s front runners and this year doesn?t look like being any different. They?ll be primed for this match up with last season?s Arrive Alive Women?s Super League Champions.
This is the sort of matchup which always whets the appetite for a day at the football. I doubt that there?ll be much between the two sides but I?m going to tip a narrow Inter Lions win. I?m sure that the fans are in for a great match either way.
At J.J.Kelly Park Illawarra Stingrays continue the defence of their title against NWS Koalas. These two sides had some stirring battles in 2009. If this weekend?s match offers similar excitement the supporters will be in for plenty of thrills and spills.
The Koalas bounced back from a first round loss to Macarthur Rams with a solid win over Southern Branch in round two. The Koalas squad has plenty of new faces this season but have managed to maintain their competitive edge.  Big games seem to bring out the best in the Koalas players and this certainly qualifies as a big game.
The Stingrays have started 2010 in steady style. Ash Connor has been leading the way in the goal scoring stakes and the signs are there that Illawarra won?t give up their champions tag without one hell of a fight.  The Stingrays have plenty of talent to call on and will gradually work up to their best form.
Once again, what appears to be an entertaining match on offer. Illawarra are looking the goods at this stage of the season and I think they?ll get away with this one.
In Bathurst the Western NSW Panthers will be chasing their first home win of the season when they meet Sydney University at Proctor Park.
Western NSW put up a respectable effort when beaten 4-2 by Illawarra Stingrays in round two. This followed their narrow win over Southern Branch in the season opener.  So far the Bathurst side?s step into the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League has shown promise. The Panthers are always tough to beat at home and this game appears quite winnable.
Sydney University haven?t had a very successful start to 2010. With consecutive losses to Illawarra and Manly the University girls will be keen to grab their first competition points of the new season.  The Panthers may be seen as a drop in class on University?s previous opponents but they will need to step up if they want to be celebrating a win during long drive home on Sunday.
I?m expecting a close game here. Let?s take a punt and go for the visitors here; Sydney University by a single goal.
The Sutherland Sharks and Macarthur Rams clash at Seymour Shaw Park. On paper The Rams would be solid favourites but with a big injury toll hampering their preparation this may be a chance for The Sharks to spring an upset.
Sutherland have shown some signs of improvement this season but that has not been translated into competition points so far. You need to score goals to win football matches and this has been a problem for The Sharks for the last couple of seasons. The enthusiasm is certainly there at this early stage of 2010 but is enthusiasm enough?
The Rams started the season with a solid win over NWS Koalas but tripped on a banana skin when upset by a young Marconi Stallions side in round two. If the Macarthur side can get its best eleven on the field they?re capable of beating anyone. They?ll be keen to atone for their loss to Marconi with a big win against The Sharks.
Sutherland may well stay in the match for a good period but in the end I feel that Macarthur will prove too strong.
Southern Branch host Marconi Stallions in South Nowra as they attempt to get their season rolling.
Southern Branch have yet to score a goal in two matches. Whilst they pushed Western NSW Panthers all the way in round one, they found the going tough when they came up against NWS Koalas in round two.  The Premier League doesn?t look like being an easy assignment for the girls from the South Coast and they?ll be hoping for a marked improvement this weekend.
Marconi Stallions have started the season with an unexpected flourish. A narrow loss to Inter Lions was followed by a stirring come from behind win over Macarthur Rams at Marconi Stadium. The young, enthusiastic Stallions side don?t seem to know any fear at this stage. With that sort of mindset a match against a struggling Southern Branch offers a tempting target.
Marconi have made a good impression so far in 2010. Winning form is good form and Marconi are the ones with that on the runs on the board right now. I?ll take The Stallions this week.
This certainly appeals as a good weekend of football in the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League. There are some excellent matches with the hint of an upset in the air here and there. Be a part of the excitement and get yourself out to a game this weekend.
See you at the ground.
-By Ross Anderson