Women?s Premier League Round 21 Preview

A number of teams will face a busy schedule of catch up games over the next seven days, increasing the risk of fatigue and injuries. Whether or not the hangover from the ?big wet? will have a bearing on the longer term title prospects of these teams is hard to say but it obviously can?t help.
Illawarra Stingrays, Sydney University and NWS Koalas hold down the top three spots on the competition ladder; each having played nineteen games at the time of writing. Illawarra have a five point lead in the race for the premiership whilst Sydney University have a three point break in second spot from third placed Koalas.
Marconi Stallions, having played all twenty scheduled games, are a point further back in fourth place. They are three points in front of Macarthur Rams who have two games in hand. Manly United FC also have two games in hand but are six points adrift of Macarthur with their semi final prospects now looking very forlorn.
This weekend?s matches see four of the top five clashing in games that will have a big bearing on the shape of the competition?s final standings.
Macarthur Rams face a big test when they host Sydney University at Lynwood Park.
The Rams form in recent weeks has plummeted with losses to Blacktown Spartans and Marconi Stallions. Coach Matt Turvey will welcome the return of Sydney FC W League stars Kylie Ledbrook and Danielle Brogan this week though their match fitness must be in question. Promising young defender Lauren Ralston has also been unavailable through injury leaving The Rams quite vulnerable in their last few matches. Macarthur looked frustrated against Marconi last Sunday. There was no lack of effort but things just didn?t seem to come together. The Rams need a big lift on Sunday to resurrect their title challenge.
Sydney University came up with a solid away win over Western NSW Panthers last weekend. Olivia Kennedy heralded her return with a brace as University put five past The Panthers in their own backyard. A 2-2 draw in their previous match against Marconi Stallions would seem to have Sydney University coming into this game in a more positive state of mind than the Macarthur girls. University are keen to hold onto second place but have a tough run in with the Macarthur game being followed by a visit to Wollongong to play the defending champions, Illawarra Stingrays. Yes, University will certainly undergo a stern test of their character with what awaits them in the weeks prior to the finals.
This will be a one hell of a match up. Lynwood Park will be shaking when these two teams go at each other.
The other blockbuster from this weekend sees Illawarra Stingrays up against Marconi Stallions.
The champions came up with a typically gritty performance to overcome Manly United FC last Sunday in very emotional circumstances. If Illawarra have seemed to lack focus at times this season they now seem to have discovered some motivation. It?s never easy to maintain inspiration when you?ve got used to winning over a lengthy period; maybe that?s been The Stingrays issue in 2011. But the Manly match showed that the fire is still in the belly; a fact that will have the other title contenders worried. I don?t need to name the lynch pins for you; they?re all well known and give Illawarra plenty of game breaking options.
The Stallions were looking dead and buried not all that long ago. They?d crashed in a series of poor performances that had them staring at oblivion for 2011. However, the Marconi girls found their mojo again, resulting in a winning run that has them looking almost assured of finals football. Their win over Macarthur wasn?t pretty but it was convincing. I don?t know how tall Marconi striker Samantha Muscat is but her tiny stature could have her mistaken for a leprechaun; one that hides a pot of goals rather than gold. Her six goal magic show against Western NSW Panthers was followed by her conjuring up the winner against Macarthur Rams. Can she do it again against her old club on Sunday?
The Stingrays start getting serious around this time of the season. The Stallions will face a tough task at J.J.Kelly Park.
In Nowra Southern Branch have their last home game of the season against the remaining top five side, the NWS Koalas.
Southern Branch may well be looking forward to the end of the season. It?s been a long haul for the Southern girls and their Coach Shane Duffy. Whilst they lifted themselves out of bottom spot temporarily when they scored their only win of 2011 they?ve now been left well in arrears of the rest of the competition. The team has put in some game performances but there have been signs in the last couple of weeks that the continuing battle to field a side every week has taken its toll. Can they come up with one last hurrah? Where do Southern Branch go from here?
The Koalas have plenty of motivation. Sitting third a fortnight from the finals with, seemingly, enough a buffer to ensure them a top three finish; Coach Gerry Gomez and his girls should be feeling pretty proud of themselves. Despite some judicious off season recruiting The Koalas weren?t amongst the pundits? title contenders but, boy, have they proven everyone wrong. A great win over Illawarra Stingrays and the addition of Brisbane Roar/Matildas star Jo Burgess have NWS humming going into the season deciders. They?ll be looking for two weeks of injury free, no mistakes football to prepare them for the finals.
It?s hard to see The Koalas stumbling here but I, for one, will be hoping for Southern Branch to make life difficult for the visitors.
Inter Lions and Western NSW Panthers do battle at Concord Oval.
Joe Baldacci?s Lions may be wearing a few bruises by the time they get to Concord Oval, given the fact that they have a Thursday night catch up game against Macarthur Rams prior to Sunday?s assignment with the Panthers. Inter came away from Ison Park last week with a solid 4-1 win. This followed their 3-1 victory over Central Coast which had preceded a fortnight of missed training and games due to the wet weather. The Lions have played some good football in recent weeks and would fancy their chances against a Panthers side who?ve bled twelve goals in two weeks against top five sides Marconi Stallions and Sydney University.  Inter have snuck into seventh place on the ladder and a win over Western may cement a mid table finish for them; a worthy achievement after a poor start.
Western NSW Panthers had been rolling along quite well but seem to have hit a brick wall in the last two weeks. They?ll appreciate what appears to be a drop in class of opposition but the travelling aspect, coupled with a drop in confidence, may see them vulnerable. The Panthers have had a topsy turvy sort of year; a slow start, a mid season revival, another mini slump but they are a determined side who always give their best no matter what the obstacles. Sunday?s is certainly a winnable game for them and they?ll be hoping their leading players take charge against a relatively young opposition side. Return trips to Bathurst are always much more pleasant after a win!
There won?t be much in this one. Expect the unexpected!
Sutherland Shire host Manly United FC at Harrie Dening Centre.
Sutherland have suffered successive defeats to Blacktown Spartans and NWS Koalas is the past fortnight. Last week?s 5-1 loss at Francis Park won?t have done much for the Shire team?s confidence, especially coming into a clash with a side that still holds the slightest of hopes of making it into the finals.  Sutherland?s season has had its successes in a variety of ways; though they not challenged for a top five spot there?s been some light at the end of the tunnel which give their fans some hope for the future. There?s some rising talent in this Sutherland side that could lead to some good times in the next couple of seasons.
Manly United FC turned in a big effort against the defending champions last Sunday but, at the end of the day, came away with nothing to show for it. Manly?s poor start to 2011 left them in a position where winning was everything in the back half of the season and, whilst the team has been gallant in working their way back into contention, a few minor miracles are required to extend their season past Round 22. That?s unfortunate as Manly have always been a finals team; the squad has the talent to compete with anyone in the league on their day. The last couple of seasons has seen a touch of inconsistency; that being the difference between glory and disappointment. You can be sure that, should they bow out next weekend, Manly will bounce back with a vengeance in 2012.
You?d expect Manly to come out firing here as they, at least, have something tangible to play for. Sutherland have produced a few surprises this season though so the visitors will need to be wary.
Pluim Park is the venue for the match between Central Coast and Blacktown Spartans.
Neither side has had a season to remember. There?s been bright spots for both but not enough of them to see either side out of the bottom half during the season. Promotion was hard won for both these Women?s Super League graduates but the going has been tough at the top level.
Blacktown have come up with some strong efforts in the second half of the competition. Convincing victories over title aspirants Macarthur Rams and Marconi Stallions are certainly worth bragging about. The Spartans come into this game off a solid 5-1 win against Sutherland Shire last Sunday. Tenth place is as high as they can finish but Coach Neil Ross and his team will be hoping to finish the season on a high with games against the only two sides below them on the competition table.
Central Coast FC haven?t won a game since Round 8. That?s a long time between drinks for the girls and they?d be hungry for an opportunity to sing the team victory song once more. They have a washed out game against Southern Branch on their schedule plus this match up with Blacktown before meeting Manly United FC in the final round. There?s some winnable matches there if the Central Coast side can step up to the plate. Maybe they can do that on their home turf.
The first round match between these two sides ended in a 1-1 stalemate. One suspects Sunday?s game will be another close one. Pride is on the line.
There are some great games of football on offer this weekend. Certainly a trip to Lynwood Park or J.J.Kelly Park in particular would offer the women?s football fans plenty to get excited over. It?s almost finals time so the top sides are priming their engines for the run to the title.
See you at the ground this weekend.
-By Ross Anderson