Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League Round 8 Preview
The Grand Final replay between Macarthur Rams and Illawarra Stingrays will take place at Lynwood Park. Please note that this game will kick off at 5pm.
The Rams started the season with a touch of uncertainty but have come roaring back in recent weeks with some solid wins. Successive victories over Inter Lions, Sydney University and Southern Branch have the Macarthur girls sitting in third place right behind Illawarra and Manly. With goal scoring ace Stephanie Haim striking top form again and the side seeming to settle as players return from injury The Rams are taking on a much more formidable look.
The Stingrays maintained their unbeaten record last week against Inter Lions but only just. Scraping through with a 1-1 draw looks a little lacklustre for the champions but they were missing a number of first grade playing personnel; a problem that confronts them again this coming weekend. Illawarra welcome former Sydney FC Captain Lisa Gilbert to the club for what will be her first week of training prior to Sunday?s game. Despite the missing stars The Stingrays still have plenty to offer.
This should be one hell of a game. The Rams will want to revenge last season?s embarrassing Grand Finals scoreline whilst The Stingrays will be out to show why they are the reigning champions. I think that Macarthur can get away with this one against an under strength Illawarra side.
Down at Alec Lamberton Field in Bathurst the Western NSW Panthers host Inter Lions.
The Panthers recent run of success was halted last weekend when they went down comprehensively to the Manly United FC side. It was something of a wake up call for The Panthers who have surprised many with their lofty place on the competition table this season. This looms as a big match for the locals with their opponents breathing right down their neck on the table and potentially jumping over them into fourth spot should The Panthers lose.
Inter Lions came up with a strong performance last Sunday against a weakened Illawarra Stingrays side at J.J.Kelly Park. The Lions, in my opinion, probably haven?t been seen at their best so far in 2010. There have certainly been glimpses of their true capabilities but a solid 90 minute effort is what Coach Joe Baldacci must be waiting for. At their best Inter Lions look a match for any side in the competition. This is as good a time as any for the girls from Concord to show the rest of the competition exactly what they can do.
It?s tough for me to make a choice here as these are both sides that I enjoy watching play football. Inter have so much firepower though I just wonder if Western NSW can close all the Inter stars down. I?ll tip The Lions to win.
At Cromer Park the Manly United FC side play NWS Koalas.
Manly sit in second place on the competition table. The girls from the peninsula have been very impressive this season with a loss to Illawarra Stingrays being the sole blemish on their record. Hat tricks seem to be in vogue with Manly this year as Emma Stewart, Liz Morrison and Gill Foster all bagging trebles this season. That reflects the depth Manly has to offer in the goal scoring department; another reason that they are such serious contenders in 2010.
The NWS Koalas have struggled for much of this season though a glimmer of hope came last Sunday with their easy win over Sutherland Sharks. I?m somewhat surprised that The Koalas haven?t fared better as, whilst their squad has plenty of changes from the 2009 one, the side still boasts plenty of talent. The trip to Cromer Park presents a big step up in grade from last Sunday?s opponents. This will be a big test of the NWS girls? ability to get themselves back into the competition.
Manly United FC have looked very good this season. I think they?ll be too strong for the NWS Koalas on Sunday.
Southern Branch are at home to Sydney University at South Nowra Football Complex.
I?m not sure what to say about Southern Branch. I feel sympathetic to their plight but I?m not sure that my sympathy is what they want. Their struggles continued unabated last Sunday with an 8-0 loss to Macarthur Rams. Looking at the competition table they might expect to be more competitive against this weekend?s opponents but there?s a difference between competitive and winning. I hope that things will take a turn for the better down Nowra way very soon.
Sydney University are looking for a hat trick of wins after a mid week success over NWS Koalas was followed by a solid 3-1 victory against Marconi Stallions last Sunday. The Sydney University side that I watched last weekend certainly didn?t play like a team languishing in the bottom half of the competition table. Injuries have not been kind to the University side this season but better times may not be too far away for this team. Another win here would put them right on the cusp of the top four and might just kick start them into a big run in the 2nd round of the competition.
Sydney University were very impressive last Sunday. You?d expect them to continue their winning run against a hapless Southern Branch side.
Marconi Stallions play Sutherland Sharks at Marconi Stadium.
The Stallionettes suffered something of a let down from their recent dazzling form in going down to Sydney University last Sunday. The youngsters have been playing so well, earning themselves plenty of plaudits but they couldn?t come up with the right answers against a determined University side. They are certainly a better side than that performance and will want to put the lie to it with a big effort against Sutherland this week. A win is certainly needed to stay in touch with the top four so expect the youthful Stallions to approach this game with plenty of enthusiasm.
The Sharks are sitting in ninth place on the competition ladder and, apparently, going nowhere. There have been signs of life at various stage in the first seven rounds but last weekend Sutherland were humbled by an NWS Koalas side that haven?t been travelling too well themselves. Just what Coach Michael Michael can come up with to turn Sutherland?s fortunes around is anyone?s guess. There is talent in this team but a concerted 90 minute effort seems beyond them at the moment.
I?ll forgive The Stallions their disappointing effort last week and expect them to rebound this weekend. Marconi to win this one.
I envisage plenty of stirring football this weekend with some excellent games on offer.
The games are certainly spread over plenty of territory in Round 8 with matches in Bathurst, South Nowra, Manly, Campbelltown and Bossley Park. Wherever you go you?re sure to be in for an enjoyable afternoon of football.
See you at the ground this Sunday.
-By Ross Anderson
