NSW Women?s Premier League Round 5 Preview
Let?s hope that Mother Nature doesn?t cause any upheaval to this weekend?s round of matches.
Five teams in the league remain undefeated at this early stage of the competition. Manly United FC and Illawarra Stingrays sit atop the Football NSW Women?s Premier League table on nine points after three wins apiece. Sydney University and NWS Koalas? win two wins and a draw each sit on seven points. Macarthur Rams with one win and two draws sit in sixth place on five points.
Western NSW Panthers host NWS Koalas Alec Lamberton Field.
The Koalas have been one of the early surprise packets this season, having scored strong wins over Blacktown Spartans and Marconi Stallions before earning a hard fought draw against Sydney University last weekend. Coach Gerry Gomez has the Koalas playing good football. The inclusion of Jessica Seaman has proven invaluable from an attacking point of view but the team generally have worked hard to improve on last season?s disappointments. With a match against defending champions Illawarra Stingrays looming in a fortnight?s time The Koalas will be looking for a solid performance here to maintain their momentum.
Western NSW Panthers scored their first win of 2011 against Southern Branch last Saturday at Ison Park. Whilst the Panthers dominated the match, playing patches of quite good football, they failed to take full advantage of their struggling opponents. However, after successive losses to Illawarra Stingrays and Central Coast FC, a win was very welcome for the Bathurst girls. Maybe that success will give the Western NSW side some confidence coming into this match but they?ll certainly need to lift to another level if they hope to be competitive.
Macarthur Rams meet Southern Branch at Lynwood Park.
It?s hard to gauge just where Macarthur Rams sit in the pecking order at the moment. Whilst undefeated they?ve hardly been impressive, coming from behind against Inter Lions and Sutherland Shire to take a share of the points before scoring a passable 4-1 win over Central Coast FC last Sunday. The Rams are used to success, having become perennial finalists in recent seasons. However, this season may prove a challenge for Macarthur with other teams seemingly raising the bar. The Rams big guns are yet to find their best from but this weekend offers a good opportunity for them to click into gear.
Southern Branch have had a rather miserable start to the season. The team has had big problems attracting decent player numbers with many players being forced to back up from lower grades to fill the first grade squad list. It reflects a strong club spirit from the players who are putting their bodies on the line in this manner but it must eventually take its toll. The Southern girls are not lacking in effort but they are really struggling to compete at the moment. Let?s hope Coach Shane Duffy can get his hands on a few new recruits and turn around the club?s fortunes in the next few weeks. A win would be a big tonic.
At J.J.Kelly Park the Illawarra Stingrays play Central Coast FC.
Illawarra Stingrays continue to roll along in their usual dominant manner. Yes, they were certainly pushed hard by an enthusiastic Sutherland Shire side last Sunday but, once they put their foot on the accelerator, the goals came quickly. Carney and Heyman broke the Sutherland hearts last week but this squad has so much talent that it would be folly to insinuate that these two are all The Stingrays have to offer. There?s any number of match winners in this side; a fact that must leave any potential title contenders wondering just how they can close the champions down. Last weekend?s scare may see The Stingrays in a lethal mood against their battling opponents.
Central Coast FC have shown considerable improvement in recent weeks, knocking over Western NSW Panthers in Bathurst before losing honourably to Macarthur Rams last Sunday. After bleeding four goals to The Rams in the first half last week Central Coast fought back well to keep their opponents scoreless in the second stanza. The girls will be keen to build on these efforts with a strong performance against the league?s benchmark side. This won?t be easy but everyone loves a challenge.
Marconi Stadium is the venue for the Marconi Stallions versus Manly United FC match.
Marconi, after a dazzling start to the season, have struggled for form in the last fortnight. After going down to NWS Koalas they travelled to Francis Park for round four where they managed a last minute escape act against Blacktown Spartans. Coach Rob Pearce appears to have his hands full at the moment getting his squad to play to their potential. Big games sometimes bring out the best in the most talented players. Playing one of the undefeated sides on Sunday could inspire the Marconi girls to a better performance this week.
Manly are yet to drop a point in three games. They were not at their best last weekend though they ran out deserved winners over Inter Lions. The peninsula girls welcome Gill Foster back from suspension this weekend. Her inclusion is sure to be a positive for the home side. Manly don?t appear to have convinced the doubters of their premiership credentials thus far, despite their unblemished record. All they can do is to keep winning and putting Marconi to the sword will help prove this side?s worth.
Inter Lions host Sutherland Shire at Concord Oval.
Inter Lions have found life difficult in 2011. With many changes to their squad this season they?ve battled to find the back of the net. With successive losses to competition heavyweights the Illawarra Stingrays and Manly United FC The Lions will hope that a return to their home park may offer them some sort of respite. Heidi Makrillos has been a shining light for Inter so far. If a few of Inter?s other talented players can find some consistency The Lions are capable of stringing a few wins together, possibly starting with Sunday?s game.
Sutherland Shire have been worthy combatants in their last two matches. An excellent effort when drawing 2-2 with Macarthur Rams at Lynwood Park was followed by a meritorious display when beaten by Illawarra Stingrays last week. The final score did no credit to Sutherland?s performance, with The Shire girls having actually grabbed the lead from The Stingrays deep into the second half. There are signs of life in the Sutherland side and this game is the type that may offer them the opportunity to break their duck for the season.
Blacktown Spartans go up against Sydney University at Francis Park.
The Spartans are yet to win a game since their promotion to the Football NSW Women?s Premier League this season. However, it would be harsh to suggest that they?ve not been competitive. The scorelines in their opening matches may not have looked flattering but The Spartans have given plenty of cheek in both games. Last weekend they gave the Marconi Stallions a big scare, only losing a share of the points to an 87th minute goal by Stallions Captain Jodie Bain. A similar performance on Sunday will be needed on Sunday if they are to trouble Sydney University.
Sydney University started the season with a bang, racking up two big wins over Sutherland Shire and Southern Branch. The side started in a similar fashion last weekend, running up a 2-0 lead over NWS Koalas by half time. However, Sydney University weren?t able to finish off the gutsy Koalas and were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw. The University side hasn?t had a shortage of goal scorers this season with the depth in the side at a formidable level. With plenty of pundits tipping the side as major players in 2011 success in games like this one are a must.
This weekend basically pits the top six sides on the ladder against the bottom six. It offers the chance for a number of sides to close the gap and ensure they stay in touch with the leaders. Whilst many of the games look like possible wins for the higher placed teams we?ve already seen this season that upsets are never out of the question.
Good luck to all the teams this weekend. Do your best to get out to a ground this weekend to support the stars of the Football NSW Women?s Premier League.
See you at the ground.
-By Ross Anderson
