Women?s Premier League Round 10 Preview
Four of the top five sides in the competition go head to head with table toppers the Illawarra Stingrays playing third placed Marconi Stallions at Marconi Stadium whilst second placed Sydney University meet the surging Macarthur Rams at Hensley Athletic Field. Sixth placed Sutherland Shire, needing to win to stay within striking distance of the top four, meet seventh placed Manly United FC who need points fast if they?re to have any chance of making the finals. These three games alone offer plenty of incentive for fans to get to a ground this Sunday but there?s also a fine supporting cast in the three remaining matches scheduled for this weekend.
The two Women?s Premier League ?new girls? Blacktown Spartans and Central Coast FC meet at Francis Park.
The Spartans are really struggling at the moment as their squad deals with a massive injury list. The Blacktown girls are yet to win a game in 2011 though they?ve been close to the money on more than one occasion. The fitness of inspirational Captain, Bronwyn Jarvis, will be an important factor here. Jarvis was replaced during the 2nd half of last week?s loss to Sutherland Shire after starting the game injured. Jarvis and youngster Doris Osman are important cogs in the wheel this season for Blacktown and they will need both to be fit and healthy for Sunday.
Central Coast FC have come up with some good results in their return to the Women?s Premier League this season. They?ve managed to come up with three good wins plus a couple of other quite competitive efforts. Last weekend they found the NWS Koalas a little too good, going down 3-0 at Pluim Park, but will approach Sunday?s game with some degree of confidence. The Central Coast girls are currently sitting ninth, equal with both Manly United FC and Western NSW Panthers, though behind on goal difference. Three points would come in very handy this weekend before Central Coast run into Manly in the last game of the first round.
I expect this to be a close game. Both sides will be keen to have bragging rights after some tight games when competing in the Women?s Super League last season.
The NWS Koalas host Southern Branch at ELS Hall Park.
The Koalas broke back into the winning list last Sunday with a convincing win over Central Coast FC. After a great start to 2011 the Koalas stumbled, losing games to Illawarra Stingrays and Sutherland Shire; losses which saw them drop into fourth place on the competition table. The Koalas need to keep winning because they now have a confident Macarthur Rams side only a point behind them. Anna McLean has been finding the back of the net in recent weeks, including a double last Sunday. The Koalas need to find some of their early season form quickly in an effort to maintain their finals momentum.
Southern Branch continue to battle through yet another difficult season. A lack of numbers, poor results and, unfortunately, no light at the end of the tunnel must make it very difficult for this team to back up every weekend. The Southern Branch girls have at least got on the scoreboard in their last two games with Caylie Wise being the girl to find the back of the net both times. Southern Branch will be hoping for more of the same from Caylie this Sunday.
The Koalas will make the trip to South Nowra full of confidence. Coach Shane Duffy and his Southern Branch girls will be hoping for a change of fortune to come their way.
The Western NSW Panthers meet Inter Lions in the battle of the big cats down in tropical Bathurst.
The Panthers made life difficult for high flying Sydney University last weekend before eventually going down 1-0. Two weeks prior they managed a share of the points with the Manly United FC side. That?s pretty good home form in my books! Western may not have the big names of some of the other sides boast but they do have a determined approach to the game which often sees them come through against the odds. Sunday may be a little different for them though as, arguably; they may start favourites for this clash.
Inter Lions finally snagged their first win of 2011 last Sunday with a 5-1 victory over Southern Branch. The Lions haven?t had much luck this season, having been competitive in a number of games but being unable to take their opportunities when they counted. Heidi Makrillos has been their outstanding player so far as a number of other profile players have fallen by the wayside. The Lions have good memories of Bathurst from their pre season success there but this match will be much tougher as the two teams seem to have headed in different directions since then.
There probably won?t be a lot in this game. The Panthers look the part on results thus far but Inter will be keen to add to last week?s win.
Manly United FC will be at home this weekend when they meet the Sutherland Shire side.
Manly United FC have fallen right off the pace after an impressive start to 2011. The Manly girls haven?t won a game in six weeks with a point away to Western NSW Panthers their only gain during that time. There have been some narrow losses to finals contenders amongst the series of losses but close defeats earn the same number of competition points as heavy battering. The last fortnight has seen Manly go down 3-0 to both Macarthur Rams and Illawarra Stingrays. There were plenty of things to like from Manly in both games but they really need to find their winning ways again or their season will be lost. Looking at the Manly squad there?s too much talent for the side to keep losing. Maybe Sunday is the day they?ll bounce back.
Sutherland Shire have lots of new faces this season and the changes seem to be working well for Coach Michael Michael and his team. The Shire girls have now won three in a row with success against Southern Branch, NWS Koalas and Blacktown Spartans. Last weekend Sutherland weren?t overly impressive against Blacktown but they did always look to be in control of the game. There are some promising signs in this Sutherland side. I also noticed a few impressive young players in their reserve grade squad. If the coaching staff can keep this group together success may start to blossom at Sutherland. This weekend is a tougher assignment but success breeds confidence. Who knows what the Sutherland girls are capable of?
Manly United FC finals hopes are barely flickering at the moment. They must win on Sunday if they are to be any hope of resurrecting their season in the second round. Sutherland haven?t necessarily expressed thoughts of making the finals but, if they keep winning, it has to become a possibility.
Sydney University and Macarthur Rams meet in a vital showdown at Hensley Athletic Field.
Sydney University are having a stellar season, sitting second on the table, four points in arrears of leaders the Illawarra Stingrays. Despite a few injury hiccups the depth of this season?s squad has stood University in good stead as they?ve continued to chase the title. Next weekend they meet Illawarra Stingrays so the two remaining matches of round 1 are vital to their hopes. Caitlin Jarvie made a welcome return to the goal scoring list last weekend, snaring the winner against Western NSW Panthers. Sydney University have been well served this season by their 2010 Platinum Medal winner Olivia Kennedy, new addition Jenna Kingsley, Sam Spackman, Captain Emma Schiller. They?ll be hoping for all the big guns to fire up for Sunday?s game against an imposing Rams line up.
Macarthur Rams have come good with a vengeance, albeit on the back of some mega signings who have ignited the old competitiveness in the side. Renee Rollason has been a revelation in the last fortnight whilst the return of former Captain Danielle Brogan has been welcomed by the defensive line. There?s a growth in confidence by players such as Haim, Dudek, Walsh and Ralston as the experience W League stars steer the good ship Macarthur around the park. The return last week of the hard as nails Sigrid Manty will add further starch to what?s looking like a side with irresistible momentum. All that said Sunday will be a big test for the Rams against a side that will stand up to them both physically and in depth of talent. Has Coach Matt Turvey got any other new faces lined up for this game?
This will be a blockbuster. Two very strong sides with plenty to play for. The stand at Hensley Athletic Field should be full for this one.
The term ?blockbuster? wouldn?t be out of place at Marconi Stadium either where the Stallions host the defending champions the Illawarra Stingrays.
The Stallions will still be smarting from last weekend?s controversial loss to Macarthur Rams. Two players sent off, two penalties and a lot of unhappy supporters at the end of the game will see Marconi seriously focussed for this weekend. How Coach Rob Pearce will overcome the loss of two of his most reliable defenders in Jo Saliba and Sophie Svinos is anyone?s guess but you can only play with the cards you?re dealt. Trudy Camilleri and Samantha Muscat, both recruited by Marconi from Illawarra for this season will be keen to make an impression against the old team mates. Muscat has been finding the back of the net regularly whilst Camilleri has been Marconi?s most consistent player in 2011. Youngsters Jessica Coates and Helen Petinos have also served the Stallions well whilst experienced campaigner Jodie Bain has marshalled the defence. I?ve liked the look of the Marconi side on the two occasions I?ve seen them play. They are the real deal in 2011 and there?s no better opportunity to prove that than in a game against the premiers.
The Illawarra Stingrays are worthy competition leaders after nine rounds. They are the only undefeated side in the Football NSW Women?s Premier League. They?ve scored more goals than any other team and conceded a miserly four. They have a squad list that bristles with talented players both home grown and imported. Their strike trio of Heyman, Connor and Bonilla is the envy of every team in the league. With the Mayor of Wollongong, Michelle Carney, pulling the strings from midfield Illawarra are an irresistible force. Whilst all of that is true the Stingrays have struggled to put together a ninety minute effort this season. In what has become a frustrating trend for Coach Brett Wallin his team seems to be going through the motions too often before turning on a short bust of explosive power to knock out their opposition. So far the girls have been able to get away with it; the engine has responded to the foot on the accelerator. However Coach Wallin will be looking for his side to lift their intensity in the next couple of weeks with, apart from Sunday?s match, big games against Sydney University and Macarthur Rams in the following three weeks.
This will be an exciting encounter. So many good players, two fine teams and a battle of wits between two knowledgeable coaches. The Stingrays deserve to start favourites but Marconi Stallions will be out to bring off the upset.
What a weekend! Great match ups, great players as the race for the Football NSW Women?s Premier League title really starts to hot up. Do yourself a favour and get out to a game this weekend. You won?t be disappointed!
See you at the ground.
-By Ross Anderson
