Arrive alive Women?s Super League Round 15 Preview

The match on the Central Coast will be a keenly contested affair as both sides fight for the competition points and a possible psychological advantage going into the semi finals in a few weeks time.
Central Coast Lightning will be backing up from a midweek defeat at the hands of the APIA Leichhardt Tigers. The Lightning girls scored a good 2-0 win over Northern Tigers last Sunday and have generally been travelling well until the match against APIA. Central Coast have been considered one of the main contenders for the title all season but they?ve provided some inconsistent performances. As we near the big end of season games I?d be expecting the Central Coast side to start stepping up the pace. Sunday?s game will be a big test for them.
Gladesville Ravens have been one of the form sides of the competition. A win here would go close securing The Ravens that all important top two spot in the semi finals. Gladesville were solid 3-0 winners last weekend over Eastern UNSW Lions. The Ravens side is playing well as a unit and their spirits are high. The girls seem convinced that 2010 is the year of the Raven and, given their efforts so far this season it would take a brave man, or woman for that matter, to argue with them.
There won?t be much between these two sides. The first round clash saw Central Coast out enthused by Gladesville and, with the locals backing up after a hard midweek game; I?ll go for The Ravens to take the points again on Sunday.
At David Phillips Field the Eastern UNSW Lions meet the Lady Hawks.
The Lions copped one of their more telling defeats of 2010 when beaten 3-0 by Gladesville Ravens last weekend. It would be true to say that Eastern UNSW contributed greatly to their defeat with a sloppy second half defensive display. That was somewhat uncharacteristic though from The Lions who have made a good fist of their debut season in the league. I?m sure that their coach Anton Ivancic will be looking for an improved effort from his side this weekend.
Mathematically at least the Lady Hawks still have some chance of making the finals. Yes, it?s a tall order and they have to rely on other teams losing as much as winning themselves but where there?s hope anything can happen. Their last two performances have produced a 2-2 draw with Gladesville Ravens and a 7-0 win over Springwood United FC. That?s good form leading into this game against a side that sits five points below them on the competition table.
Eastern UNSW Lions are always hard to beat. Lady Hawks are in form and may still have something to play for. I?m going to tip the upset and go for The Lions in a close one.
At Lambert Park APIA Leichhardt Tigers host the Northern Tigers. Okay, I was going to use that line about the battle of the big cats but maybe I?ve overdone that one in recent seasons.
APIA had their moments against Blacktown Spartans last Sunday but weren?t helped by the red carding of their goalkeeper in the first ten minutes. They did create a number of opportunities and will have renewed confidence from a strong midweek win over Central Coast Lightning up at Pluim Park. They handled the Northern Tigers fairly comfortably in their only other meeting this season and, if they still hold hopes of finishing in the top two, they must keep winning.
The Northern Tigers have been playing quite consistently this season. With a little luck they?d be much further up the table but they haven?t quite learnt to win those tight ones with the competition?s high flyers yet. Their recent form is good; their only defeat in their last four matches being against Central Coast Lightning last weekend. Whether they have the firepower to challenge APIA is probably the big question but you can be sure they?ll be out there trying.
Northern Tigers will give a good account of themselves but APIA may be a little too strong.
The final game of the round sees St George FC meet Blacktown Spartans at St George Stadium.
St George FC had the bye last weekend. They probably needed a week of rest after suffering successive hammerings at the hands of Central Coast Lightning (7-0) and APIA Leichhardt Tigers (6-0). It?s been another disappointing season for the St George girls as they?ve had little to smile about since their round one win over Springwood United FC. Playing the competition leaders this weekend will not make the St George squad any happier. They are looking at a tough afternoon.
Blacktown Spartans are well deserved leaders of the Arrive Alive Women?s Super League. They remain undefeated and have shown a new resolve this season which has seen them winning those close matches rather than being unlucky losers. There are girls in from across the park for Blacktown, from inspirational Captain Bronwyn Jarvis, the speedy Lauren Vosota and the hard working Erin Connell. The Spartans do have the look of a championship winning side.
So, let?s hope that the Arrive Alive Women?s Super League girls enjoy their day in the sun as they fly the flag for women?s football this weekend. The finals are just four weeks away and, whilst the four semi finalists are almost assured, the finishing order is still something that could change quite dramatically with an upset result here and there.
See you at a ground this weekend.