Arrive Alive Women?s Super League Round 14 Preview

The good news is that, despite that disappointment, we have much to look forward to in 2011 when our mighty Matildas go to battle at the Women?s World Cup in Germany. The girls did us proud in the recently completed Asian Cup; can they do the same in Germany?
Meanwhile, are there some future Matildas on show in the Arrive Alive Women?s Super League? Maybe a youngster or two are coming up through the ranks who possess all the talent to be our next Heather Garriock or Sarah Walsh. This weekend offers the chance for us to catch the stars of the Arrive Alive Women?s super League in action with a strong round of matches.
At Lambert Park the third placed APIA Leichhardt Tigers meet the undefeated competition leaders the Blacktown Spartans in what should be an entertaining clash.
The Tigers have continued to be something of an enigma this season; following some stellar performances with other fairly ordinary ones. This reporter keeps mentioning the amount of talent in the team; a fact that is not questionable. However APIA seems to have been relying on more individual efforts to get them through in a number of matches this season. I like many others, have been waiting for the side to show some signs of gelling. Everyone in the competition would be wary that, if and when APIA does put it all together, they?ll be a very formidable opponent. Sunday presents a big game stage for APIA to come out swinging. Can they do it?
It?s hard to find too many negatives in the Blacktown  Spartans season so far. They have a number of in form players, the side is playing good football and they?ve discovered the way to win even when things don?t go their way. That?s a commodity they haven?t always had in the past. The side possesses plenty of pace, a solid line of defence and a hard working midfield. They?re coming off a couple of hard fought wins that have been achieved with key players missing from their squad. I?ve liked what I?ve seen of Blacktown this season. They look like a side that?s going places.
This should be an excellent game of football. APIA has the potential to be premium contenders but Blacktown has the form on the board so I?ll tip The Spartans in this one.
Gladesville Ravens play Eastern UNSW Lions at Magdala Park.
The Ravens lie in second place on the competition ladder, prowling menacingly as they wait for Blacktown to trip up and give them a chance at premiership honors. The formula is simple for The Ravens; keep winning and don?t worry about anyone else! The Gladesville girls were impressive enough in their four goal win over Springwood United last weekend but they may need to step up another gear to deal with a feisty Eastern UNSW Lions side. The Ravens have been another side who?ve shown improved form in 2010 with the side seemingly much more focused than in previous seasons.
Eastern UNSW Lions snared a duet of draws last week with a midweek 0-0 scoreline against APIA before playing out a 2-2 draw with Northern Tigers on Sunday. This side has impressed with their determined efforts this season, testing a number of the leading sides in some close struggles. They don?t score a lot of goals but the Lions are effective in ensuring that their opposition finds it a tough job as well.  The Lions have put together a fine debut season and, with a touch of judicious recruiting, could be a bigger and better in 2011.
The Ravens will undoubtedly start favorites here but this is one of those games where they?ll need to be very careful. However, I expect Gladesville to get the points in a close one.
At Melita Stadium Lady Hawks take on Springwood United FC.
The Lady Hawks sit in fifth place on the ladder at the moment with a game in hand but seven points outside the top four. Their finals hopes look pretty forlorn but the chance of a positive finish to the season is still there. The girls turned in an excellent effort a fortnight back when they ground out a 2-2 draw with the highly fancied Gladesville Ravens side. Last weekend gave the Lady Hawks the bye, so they?ll be fresh and ready for action come Sunday. They just squeezed past Springwood last time the two sides met but they will go into the match confident of success.
Springwood rejoiced in picking up their first competition point in a mid week match last week but that elusive first win is still something they are chasing. The Arrive Alive Women?s Super League newcomers have battled away during the season; providing some competitive scorelines along with some less encouraging ones. It?s all been something of a learning curve for the girls from Springwood. But they?ll hold hopes of reversing their first round result against Lady Hawks and enjoying the trip back up the highway to home.
I find it hard to tip anything other than a Lady Hawks win but I have a strange feeling that Springwood?s turn may not be far away. I have no idea if this feeling is caused by my medication or a desire to see the underdog triumph but I hope it all comes to reality for the girls soon.
At Mills Park the Northern Tigers play Central Coast Lightning.
This is probably the closest these two sides have to a ?derby? match with the Northern Suburbs bordering the Central Coast.
I have admitted something of a soft spot for the Northern Tigers; what is primarily a youthful side with an infectious enthusiasm. This season has been somewhat kinder to the girls than 2009, having produced some encouraging results and the promise of better things. Their form in recent weeks has been punctuated with draws and near misses but they have put in some gutsy efforts. Sunday presents something of a challenge though against a Central Coast Lightning side that?s showing signs of finally hitting their straps. Can the young Tigers rise to the occasion?
Central Coast Lightning is a side who many have been tipping since pre season to be a title contender. Their form so far has had a touch of ?in and out? about it but on their day The Lightning girls are a very effective unit. Last weekend they went down narrowly to the competition leaders Blacktown in a tough match. They?ll be keen to bounce back this week so that they can keep their hopes of a top two finish alive. Central Coast will be in the finals mix somewhere and they will be hard to beat.
I tipped Central Coast Lightning to win the title at the start of the season; a prediction which may be jinxing the girls at the moment! Northern Tigers have played well recently but I think that Central Coast may be a tiny bit too good on Sunday.
I realize that everyone has had an ample football diet since the World Cup commenced but you can never have too much football. I encourage you to get out to a game this weekend and cheer for your favorite team in the Arrive Alive Women?s Super League.
See you at the ground this weekend.
-By Ross Anderson