Football NSW Women?s Premier League Round 2 Preview

Last Sunday saw plenty goals and some rather lopsided results. There will be teams this weekend who?ll be looking to maintain their momentum whilst others attempt to find the necessary improvement to overturn a first round disappointment.
Cromer Park hosts the clash between two opening week winners in Manly United FC and NWS Koalas.
Manly United travelled south to Nowra last weekend, coming away dominant 9-0 winners. Alex Kent, Sarah Roger and Liz Morison each opened their 2011 goal scoring account with a brace. Coach Gavin Lee will be hoping that his team can continue to find form in front of goal. Captain Pelay Ingles will be looking to inspire the team to another strong performance.
The NWS Koalas racked up a 5-0 victory over Blacktown Spartans last Sunday with two of the goals coming in the last two minutes of play. Jessica Seaman grabbed two goals for the Koalas and she is sure to be a thorn in the side of the Manly team this Sunday. NWS have a good blend of experienced campaigners and promising youngsters that could ensure a successful season.
At the request of NWS Koalas players/officials I?m going to tip a Manly win in this match. The Koalas showed promise against Blacktown but Manly will be tough to beat at home.
The Marconi Stallions will be taking the trek to Ison Park in South Nowra for a clash with Southern Branch.
The two teams had vastly differing experiences in the opening week of competition with Marconi scoring a comprehensive 11-1 win over Central Coast Football whilst Southern Branch crashed 9-0 at home to Manly United FC.
Marconi looked quite impressive last Sunday. They?ve added some much needed experience to their youthful roster and the benefit was there for all to see against Central Coast. Even at this very early stage of the season the Stallions look to be serious title challengers.
Southern Branch look as if they could be in for another very difficult season. Conceding nine goals in the first match of the year is hardly a confidence booster and Coach Shane Duffy will be looking for a significant improvement from his team this Sunday.
It?s hard to go past the Marconi Stallions as the likely winners in this match.

At Hensley Athletic Field Sydney University meet Central Coast FC.
Sydney University confirmed their status as the ?street corner tip? for this year?s finals with an 8-0 smacking of Sutherland Shire last week. Erin Wilson started 2011 in style with a sparkling hat trick whilst Loren Mahoney bagged a brace. The University side have a solid look about them and, providing they have a better run with injuries than last season, they?ll be in the top half of the table as the season progresses.
Central Coast FC had a rather ordinary re-introduction to the Premier League last week when they where run over by a dominant Marconi outfit. It will be a long road back for the Central Coast side this week against a team that?s made similar off season strides to the Stallions.
Sydney University should win this game comfortably.
At the Harrie Dening Centre Sutherland Shire play host to the Western NSW Panthers.
Significant changes in playing personnel didn?t help Sutherland much last Sunday as the scoreline took on a familiar look during the team?s 8-0 loss to Sydney University. Coach Michael Michael will have his fingers crossed that a return to home territory might inspire a lift in form from his team against the travelling Panthers.
Western NSW Panthers put up a credible effort last Sunday against the defending premiers, Illawarra Stingrays. The Panthers first half effort, in particular, would have pleased their coaching staff. They?ll come to town on Sunday confident of a strong performance.
This could prove to be a closer match up than last weekend?s results may predict. However, it?s hard to tip against Western NSW Panthers on disclosed form.
J.J.Kelly Park sees a replay of the 2009 Women?s Premier League Grand Final with the Illawarra Stingrays up against Macarthur Rams.
The Stingrays made the trip to Bathurst last Sunday, coming home with the points after a tradeswomanlike 3-0 victory over Western NSW Panthers. USA import Kim Bonilla impressed in her first competition match for The Stingrays and home fans will be looking forward to seeing her in action this weekend.
Macarthur Rams contested one of the rare ?close encounters? of round one, sharing the completion points with Inter Lions after a 2-2 draw. The Rams still boast plenty of firepower through the likes of Stephanie Haim and Renee Cartwright but they also have some good young players learning their trade alongside the established stars. It will be interesting to see how Macarthur copes in 2011.
The Stingrays continue to be the benchmark by which all other competitors in the Football NSW Women?s Premier League are judged. I feel that they?ll be too strong for the Rams on Sunday.
Finally, our Match of the Day coverage this Sunday will be the Inter Lions versus Blacktown Spartans FC match from Concord Oval.
The Lions do look a different side from 2010. They have retained a number of talented players like Natasha LoGuidice, Dani Calvi, Temika Wearing and 2010 Grand Final hero, goalkeeper Amanda Horafios. The experienced Anissa Tan is now in Inter Colours along with a number of promising youngsters headed by goal scoring ace Heidi Makrillos. The Lions started the season with a 2-2 draw at Lynwood Park against Macarthur Rams.
Blacktown Spartans battled hard against NWS Koalas last week but couldn?t come up with the goods. They conceded two very late goals which blew the final scoreline out to 5-0. It was always going to be a tough ask for Blacktown to step up after their stellar 2010 in the Football NSW Women?s Super League. Nonetheless, the club is committed to giving this their best shot and one loss won?t deter the side from their hopes of a solid season.
I?m expecting an Inter Lions win at home.
This promises to be an interesting afternoon of football. Whilst fans will be hoping for a similar flood of goals as in round one, fingers will be crossed that the majority of matches prove much more competitive than last week?s results suggest.
Good luck to all the teams on Sunday. I look forward to seeing plenty of fans in attendance as I travel around the grounds in the coming weeks.
-By Ross Anderson