Women?s Premier League Round 3 Preview

This weekend all fingers are crossed that the elements are more suited to football as we have a number of exciting match ups that should tantalise all hard core fans.
Undoubtedly the highlight of the weekend will be 2010 Grand Final replay with Premiers Illawarra Stingrays taking on Inter Lions at Concord Oval.
The Stingrays began 2011 with a hard fought but convincing win over Western NSW Panthers in Bathurst. The defending champions have been buoyed this week with the announcement that the club has resigned the much decorated Michelle Heyman as part of their 2011 squad. Whilst it?s unlikely that Heyman will play this weekend her return adds plenty of venom to an already deadly Stingrays attack. United States import Kim Bonilla made a big impression in her debut for the club whilst Ash Connor?s injury concerns are almost over.
Inter Lions played out a 2-2 draw with Macarthur Rams in week one after holding a 2-1 half time lead. Young striker Heidi Makrillos looked the goods for The Lions in her first game in Inter colours. The rumours continue to abound regarding the return of Sydney FC star Catherine Canulli to the Inter ranks; a move that would see the Concord club?s premiership chances rise. The squad Coach Joe Baldacci will field this Sunday is significantly different to Grand Final Day at Balls Paddock but Baldacci believes that they are capable of causing an upset.
I have to go with the 2010 champions to win this one but Inter will make sure the Stingrays are treated to a busy afternoon.
At Lynwood Park the Macarthur Rams host Sutherland Shire.
The Rams showed plenty of grit in their first round clash with Inter Lions; grabbing an early lead before then fighting back from a half time deficit to share the points. Goalkeeper Michelle Grigg was in sparkling form on the day whilst talented youngster Madison Strutt grabbed the opening goal of the season. Macarthur still possesses plenty of firepower with the sizzling boot of Stephanie Haim leading their attack. The home side will fancy their chances against a Sutherland side that took a significant hammering in Round 1.
Sutherland?s hopes of a new horizon took a body blow at the first hurdle when they suffered an 8-0 mauling at the hands of Sydney University in the opening round. With plenty of fresh faces the Shire side had hoped to improve on the disappointments of recent seasons but couldn?t go the pace with a University side that has plenty of admirers in 2011. Sutherland?s Coach Michael Michael will be looking for a more committed effort from his team against Macarthur.
It?s hard to tip against Macarthur Rams looking at the two teams? respective performances in Round 1.
Central Coast FC makes the long trek to Bathurst to take on the Western NSW Panthers.
The Panthers put up a solid first half effort against the Illawarra Stingrays in Round 1 before the class of the champions shone through in the second stanza. Despite the end result Western NSW could be well satisfied with their performance; one that augurs well for the 2011 prospects. The Panthers are always tough to beat at their home town fortress and will fancy their chances against the Women?s Premier League newcomers.
Central Coast?s welcome to the Football NSW Women?s Premier League was hardly a pleasant one. After being dissected, fried and consumed by a free running Marconi Stallions side in their first match of the 2011 season the Central Coast girls were left wondering what had hit them. Conceding eleven goals was one thing but Central Coast rarely threatened at the attacking end of the park either. A steep learning curve indeed; can the newcomers bounce back this weekend?
The Western NSW Panthers look the likely winners to me.
At Hensley Athletic Field the red hot Sydney University side take on Southern Branch.
Sydney University were tagged by many pundits as the big improvers in 2011; an opinion which seems to be supported by their crushing 8-0 win over Sutherland Shire in the opening round. With 2010 Platinum Medal Winner Olivia Kennedy once again prominent, University look to be one of the sides destined to be amongst the pacesetters as the season progresses. They?ll be looking to confirm their first up success with another dominant effort against a struggling Southern Branch side.
Southern Branch endured a pretty miserable 2010 season; made a little more bearable by a series of improved results in the last few weeks of the competition. Unfortunately, the first week of the 2011 Women?s Premier League saw them given something of a spanking by an impressive Manly United side at Ison Park.  Things won?t be any easier this weekend against Sydney University and the visitors will need to dig deep to avoid another poor result.
Sydney University should come away with all three points from this game.
At Marconi Stadium two Round 1 winners in the Marconi Stallions and the NWS Koalas do battle.
Both teams have a blend of useful experience and precocious youth. Marconi came out of the blocks running in the first round, putting a hapless Central Coast FC through the grinder in an 11-1 victory. With some more accuracy in front of goal the Stallions may have rung up a cricket score. They certainly made a very impressive 2011 debut with Helen Petinos bagging four goals whilst Renee Tomkins, Trudy Camilleri and Jessica Coates were in fine form. The Stallions could be capable of making big strides this season.
The NWS Koalas came away 5-0 winners over Blacktown Spartans in the opening round. The Koalas scored two goals in the closing minutes to blow out the scoreline after holding a 2-0 half time lead. Jessica Seaman grabbed a brace for the Koalas and looks as if she?ll be a solid contributor for NWS this season. This week?s match up will be a more credible test of the Koalas 2011 credentials.
This looks one of the weekend?s most interesting encounters. Both teams will be keen to maintain their winning momentum but I?ll go for the Marconi girls to come out on top.
Finally, at Cromer Park, Manly United come off a nine goal win on day one to meet Blacktown Spartans FC.
Manly gave Southern Branch a very difficult day in Round 1; a continuance of some of their best form from 2010. With Roger, Morison and Kent all snatching a brace against the Nowra girls Manly staked their claim to be amongst the competition?s front runners again this season. New Coach Grant Lee would have been impressed with his team?s confident start but there are tougher opponents ahead. The Manly side will be keen to add another three points to their tally come Sunday.
Blacktown Spartans tried hard in the first Women?s Premier League match against NWS Koalas but fell short at the final whistle. Blacktown played some good football last season to win their way into the Premier League but week one showed them how much tougher things will be if they wish to continue their success this season. I expect Blacktown will be keen to come up with a very competitive performance on Sunday.
Manly?s first up form was strong. I think they will take the points from this game.
There will be plenty of interest this weekend to see if we get a repeat of the sort of scorelines we saw in Round 1. If so, the potential is there for the competition to split into two groups very early in the season. The pressure will be on a number of sides to lift their game this weekend.
I look forward to seeing you at the Inter Lions versus Illawarra Stingrays game on Sunday at Concord Oval. Good luck to all the teams this weekend. 
-By Ross Anderson