Arrive Alive Women?s Super League Round 4 Review

Lady Hawks sit out this round with the bye but the three other games this weekend offer the opportunity for a number of sides to move themselves into a more challenging position.
The big match at Francis Park promises plenty of excitement. The Spartans have started their season in spectacular style though last weekend?s 0-0 draw with eastern UNSW Lions was a speed bump in Blacktown?s charge for the top spot. That will matter little though if they can get away with three points against Central Coast Lightning. Blacktown are already being tipped by many opposing coaches to be the side to beat in 2010.
Similarly Central Coast Lightning are considered by most pundits to be right at the top of the tree when it comes to title contenders in 2010. A draw against APIA Leichhardt Tigers and a convincing win over St George FC have The Lightning sitting in third place. Having already seen off their first round bye the Central Coast lasses can zoom right up the ladder with a winning performance here.
I?m looking forward to this game. Both sides are capable of good football and this should be a spirited match up. I?m tempted to sit on the fence as far as tipping goes but, pushed for a selection, I think Central Coast Lightning could score a narrow win.
At Magdala Park second placed Gladesville Ravens host ninth placed Springwood United FC.
The Ravens are two from two thus far in 2010; both 2-0 victories over Northern Tigers and Lady Hawks. This week they?ll be without regular first graders Ashley Hulme and Elizabeth Talarico, Hulme being suspended after a red card last Sunday. The Ravens will still have plenty of talent on the park though and will be keen to keep in touch with the leaders by beating their battling opponents. Can Gladesville maintain their form? They?ve promised much in previous seasons but maybe they?ll deliver in 2010.
Springwood?s introduction to the ?big time? hasn?t been a happy one so far. Three losses on the trot is not a good start in anyone?s language. They certainly had claims to being a little unlucky in Round 1 against St George, only surrendering their lead after one of their players was red carded, but they?ve since suffered convincing defeats to Blacktown Spartans and Northern Tigers. On paper this doesn?t look the match to ignite a comeback but you never can tell.
It?s hard to tip against The Ravens here.
The Northern Tigers, fresh from their first win of the season last week against Springwood United FC, meet Eastern UNSW Lions at Mills Park.
The Eastern UNSW Lions have made a positive impression in the first three games in the Arrive Alive Women?s Super League. Three draws from three matches is nothing to be sneezed at especially when two of those draws have come against supposed competition heavyweights in APIA Leichhardt Tigers and Blacktown Spartans. One thing that can be said about this side is that they have plenty of heart. They?re never beaten and will fancy their chances against Northern Tigers on Sunday.
The young Tigers deserved their three points last week. They?d conceded twelve goals in their two previous matches and did well to bounce back against the Springwood girls. It was good to see a personal favorite, Georgie Eastoe, amongst the goals last week. She?s a young player with plenty of ability who knows how to hit the back of the net. The Tigers will be hoping for more goals from her on Sunday. How much of a boost will last week?s win give their young team?
The form book says that the Eastern UNSW Lions should snare their first win here but beware the snarling Tigers!
Our final match for review sees St George FC up against APIA Leichhardt at St George Stadium.
St George FC got themselves off to a much better start in 2010, taking four points from a possible six in their first two matches. However, last week provided something of a reality check when they went down 4-0 to Central Coast Lightning in Gosford. The girls will be looking at picking themselves up, dusting themselves off and hitting back this weekend but they meet a formidable opponent in APIA Leichhardt Tigers.
The Tigers themselves have had a mixed start to the season with two draws; one against Eastern UNSW Lions, the other against Central Coast Lightning. Last weekend the girls enjoyed the bye so they should be refreshed and ready to go this weekend. There?s plenty of talent in the APIA side again in 2010 and games like this one on Sunday are must wins if they have visions of both first grade success and topping the Club Championship.
I?d like to tip St George FC but I think that APIA may have just a touch too much firepower for the locals.
I?ll be at Francis Park this weekend for the Match of the Day between Blacktown Spartans and Central Coast Lightning. I look forward to seeing plenty of women?s football fans at the ground. Good luck this weekend to all the teams in the Arrive Alive Women?s Super League. 
-By Ross Anderson