Arrive Alive Women?s Super League Round 16 Preview

Whilst the others do battle the Blacktown Spartans will be at home with their feet up as they enjoy this weekend?s bye.
The nominal match of the day on Sunday is certainly the Gladesville Ravens v APIA Leichhardt Tigers clash at Magdala Park.
The Ravens were somewhat sore and sorry after last Sunday?s tussle with Central Coast Lightning. A number of players will start under an injury cloud but this is a do or die match for both teams with Gladesville clinging to second spot on the table whilst APIA sit fourth. Gladesville have played some good football this season, showing the ability to graft through some tough games and come up with the goods under pressure. Midfielder Ashley Hulme is an important cog in the Gladesville wheel and The Ravens will be looking for a big game from her to help inspire her team mates.
APIA showed some character last week to come back from two goals down against Northern Tigers to gain a share of the points. Having seen APIA now in successive games I?m still left wondering why they aren?t firing in a manner keeping with the talent they have on the park. There are patches of brilliance and players like Cavanagh, Spirovski and Meehan are more than capable of blasting holes in any opposition defence but it just doesn?t seem to be happening on a consistent basis. All that said, if Coach Tarek Madani can get his team to click by the finals they?ll be a tough proposition for any side to deal with.
APIA handled Gladesville pretty competently last time the two teams met. Gladesville are a gritty side however and the incentive of holding on to second place may be enough to bring out the best in them. I?ll tip The Ravens narrowly.
At Melita Stadium the fifth placed Lady Hawks meet third placed Central Coast Lightning.
Depending on results elsewhere a win here could see the Lady Hawks in with a show of making the finals. They sit five points off fourth placed APIA so the Hawks will need some luck but they must keep winning. The girls have put together three wins and two draws from their last five games; good form to be taking into a game such as this. They?ve made a surge since the half way mark of the competition but is it too late for them to snatch a spot in the finals? We may now after Sunday.
Central Coast Lightning scored a stirring win last weekend over fellow title contenders Gladesville Ravens. The Lightning girls were playing their third game in a week so they certainly showed lots of ticker to snare the three points. Last time the two sides met Central Coast scored a narrow win. Their form since has been topsy turvy but maybe last Sunday?s success will have been the revelation the one time premiership favorites needed to kick start their run to the finals. They can?t afford another slip up and will need to be on their game to turn away the enthusiastic Lady Hawks.
Two sides with plenty to play for. It?s sure to be a tight game but I think that Central Coast can get the points.
At Mills Park the Northern Tigers meet St George FC.
The young Tigers acquitted themselves admirable last Sunday in their 2-2 draw with APIA. A Georgie Eastoe brace had the Tigers in front for most of the first half before the Northern Suburbs girls withstood a strong APIA fight back. This was probably one of the Tigers best performances of the season, highlighting the potential in this side. It certainly appears a drop in class for them this week though these are often the games where the Northern girls battle the most; ones where they are expected to win. They?ll be looking for a repeat of last week?s determined effort.
St George FC haven?t won since round one of the competition. They?ve endured a tough time of it with very few positive results. A 4-1 loss to the competition leaders Blacktown Spartans last Sunday was probably as good as St George could have expected. Northern Tigers certainly don?t possess quite the same number of attacking weapons as The Spartans but St George will need to improve considerably if they wish to cause an upset.
On last week?s form it?s hard to go past the Northern Tigers as the likely winners here.
At Summerhayes Park Springwood United FC host Eastern UNSW Lions.
Springwood United had the bye last weekend so return refreshed to do battle at home with The Lions. Springwood hasn?t managed a goal in their last three games whilst conceding thirteen. It?s been a long debut season for the Springwood girls. They?ve shown some ability in a number of games but have struggled in others. I?m sure that they?ll be desperate to open their winning account here with Central Coast Lightning and APIA awaiting them in their last two games.
Eastern UNSW Lions are always very competitive but seem to be more than capable of finding a way to lose the close ones. Their record this season could be so much better than what it is with five draws coupled with their two wins. Opposing teams appear to have trouble breaking Eastern UNSW down but the Lions can often be there own worst enemies. Still, they should be proud of their efforts in 2010. All looks promising for an improved showing next season.
Eastern UNSW Lions can get the points here if they come with their ?A? game.
The run into the finals is always exciting as teams jockey for position and others seek to end their season with some positives. This weekend should be a feast of good football considering what so many have at stake. Get yourself out to your local ground to support your favorite team.
See you at the ground this weekend.

Ross Anderson