Arrive Alive Women?s Super League Round 17 Preview

The Blacktown Spartans have run away with the premiership; having opened up a nine point break on their opposition. Can they go through the season undefeated? The race for second place is keenly contested with Central Coast Lightning, Gladesville Ravens and APIA Leichhardt Tigers locked in an enthralling battle for the ?double chance?. The top four play the bottom four this weekend with the Eastern UNSW Lions having the bye.
Competition leaders Blacktown Spartans play Northern Tigers at Francis Park.
The last meeting of these two sides proved to be an absorbing clash with the Tigers taking the game right up to their more fancied opponents. Northern have been playing some good football in recent matches including a strong performance against APIA that earnt them a 2-2 draw a fortnight back. The enthusiasm of the Tigers has always been an asset but they also seemed to be developing a more determined edge that comes with experience. Georgie Eastoe has hit a purple patch of goal scoring form which she?ll be hoping to continue on Sunday.
What I?ve liked about Blacktown this season is their ability to win the tight matches. They might have struggled here and there in certain games but they?ve kept plugging away and got themselves a result. They are certainly deserving of the premiership crown they?re about to receive but now they need to step up again for what will be a very competitive finals series. Erin Connell, Lauren Vosota and Bronwyn Jarvis have been in fine form but Blacktown has been a team effort in 2010 rather than a group of individuals.
I suspect that Northern Tigers will once again give The Spartans a run for their money but Blacktown should win.
At Lambert Park APIA Leichhardt Tigers take on Lady Hawks.
APIA are fourth on the ladder, three points off second place. The Lady Hawks semi final hopes probably hit the final speed hump last weekend when they went down to Central Coast Lightning.
The enigma that is this APIA side has probably been prevalent in their results over the past couple of weeks. Draws with Northern Tigers and Gladesville Ravens have exposed a few weaknesses but also shown the occasional snippet of what this side may be capable of. The squad has a host of players who know what it?s like to play in the big end of season games and that knowledge has had the APIA fans hoping that the finals series may be what clicks them into gear. Alicia Cavanagh?s brace last weekend is a positive sign as she and Captain Kylie Meehan seem to be developing a good partnership.
The Lady Hawks have done well to fight their way into a position where, up until last weekend, they were still in the hunt for finals football. They pushed Central Coast Lightning all the way last Sunday and they?ll be keen to make APIA?s life that little more difficult this weekend. Grace Ryanhart continues to do well for the Lady Hawks, nabbing another goal last weekend. I?m sure that the girls would like to end their season with a couple of solid efforts; what better than an upset win at Lambert Park.
I think APIA may have too much firepower for the Lady Hawks in this one.
At Pluim Park the Central Coast Lightning side meets Springwood United FC.
The Lightning girls appear to have found some form in recent weeks; racking up wins over the Northern Tigers, Gladesville Ravens and Lady Hawks in the last three rounds. It just may be that Central Coast are revving up the motor at just the right time with the semi finals only a fortnight away. Playing at home against the league?s cellar dwellers does appear the recipe for a certain three points but Central Coast will need to win well to maintain the momentum they?ve built in their latest run of victories.
Springwood United FC haven?t enjoyed an easy introduction to the Arrive Alive Women?s Super League. They?re yet to win a game and their season doesn?t end in any sort of easy fashion with games against Central Coast Lightning and APIA. The side has generally put in competitive efforts but every now and then experience something of a blow out; as with their game a couple of weeks back when they lost 7-0 to Lady Hawks. This looks a tough game for them and the Springwood girls will need to be on their toes to avoid disaster.
Central Coast Lightning are genuine title contenders on their day. They should win this game.
Finally, at St George Stadium, we have St George FC hosting Gladesville Ravens.
St George, in similar vein to Springwood, have endured a disappointing 2010. Four points from their first two games, only two points from their next fourteen games. That?s not a great form line coming into a match against a side that?s right in the title race. A bright spot for St George in the last couple of weeks has been Jessica Carosi who has managed to get herself on the scoresheet twice in the last two matches. St George fans will be hoping that Jessica can repeat the dose on Sunday.
Gladesville Ravens have something of a fight on their hands as they try to regain second place on the ladder. Whilst they are only behind on goal difference at the moment they need to make up ground with a big win before they face Blacktown Spartans next weekend. The Ravens girls have played their hearts out this season and look a realistic chance of enjoying a successful finals series. Fatma Agar, the Super Sub, snagged another goal last week and must be pushing for a starting berth. Ravens will also look to their midfield enforcer, Ashley Hulme, to inspire them to a big win.
Gladesville will win but they need to make every shot at goal count.
Tipping looks an easy job in this week?s round of the Arrive Alive Women?s Super League but you can be sure that someone will upset the form guide and prove my predictions wrong. Beware the banana skins!
See you at a ground this weekend.

– Ross Anderson