Women’s Super League Round 5 Preview

There has never been a better time to get involved with the WSL, so get down to your local park and watch a game this Sunday afternoon.
MATCH OF THE ROUND: Northern Tigers v Eastern UNSW Lions
Mills Park, 3pm kick off
Northern Tigers welcome UNSW Lions to Mills Park on Sunday in what is shaping up to being a very close affair between two sides in the top three of the ladder.
After a string of solid results for the Tigers, the mood around the training this week has been high as the squad continue to focus on what they do best ? a strong passing game and the burning desire to score more and more goals each weekend. With club captain, Gab Dal Pozza and winger Grace Ha in such fine form of late, UNSW Lions? defence will have to keep a keen eye on those two attacking players if they want to make sure the score-line remains respectable.
UNSW Lions saw a dominating 8-0 win against an out of form Southern Districts last weekend. This result saw the club jump up to third on the ladder leaving the morale in the team high. With L. Mitchell and Ayse Adalis both getting a hat trick in that game against Districts, the Lions will look to feed the attacking partnership through balls all game. Having only conceding four goals in four games, the Lions have the opportunity to get all three points when playing on the counter attack.
Western NSW Mariners v APIA Leichhardt Tigers
Alec Lamberton Field, 3pm kick off
Western NSW Mariners return home to Alec Lamberton this weekend after a disappointing loss to St. George FC last weekend. Still searching for their first win of the campaign, the player to watch in Bathurst is young striker Kelsey Tuttle who has the ability to be a game changer and score some brilliant goals at the same time.
APIA has had a rough start to the 2012 season only managing one win out of three games. With injuries starting to pile up for the former champions, it?s now or never for the travelling side as anything else than three points will be considered a failure.
Sydney Olympic FC v St. George FC
Blick Oval, 3pm kick off
Olympic are enjoying life in the middle of the table, however if the club are going to remain competitive their star striker Kate Halaska is going to have to continue her recent run of goals. There is a good chance Olympic could get the much needed three points this weekend if the girls all keep their cool and play the same attacking style of football which got them a point against the Lady Hawks last weekend.
Fresh from their first win of the season, St. George travel to Blick Oval with the target of getting at least a point. With an average age of just 19, the experience of midfielder Jess Carosi could just be the winning difference for the Saints against an experienced and physically strong Sydney Olympic side.
Nepean FC v Southern Branch
Cook Park, 3pm kick off
Nepean currently occupy the wrong half of the table, a position they aren?t too happy with. A result against Southern Branch this weekend in front of their home crowd could just be the kick-start Nepean need to hit some form and challenge for a spot in the top 4. With Branch?s ability to counter quickly, it will be up to Nepean?s midfield to hold their shape and score early to shake up the game.
Southern Branch are sitting comfortably in fourth spot on the ladder, scoring 15 and conceding seven goals after their opening four games. Their loss against Northern Tigers last weekend was just a speed bump along the way as the girls look to turn around and push hard for a win. With physical strength and pace amongst their ranks, it is Elise Battin who could be the most influential player on Sunday and will need to watched carefully.
Southern Districts v Parramatta Lady Hawks
Ernie Smith Reserve, 3pm kick off
Lady Luck hasn?t been looking towards Southern Districts lately with injuries keeping most of their star players out of action the last two weekends. Letting 20 goals hit the back of the net, the most important thing for the Districts side this week at training has been defence and recovery. Districts are due for a win, whether or not Lady Luck will let that happen this weekend is another thing.
The Parramatta Lady Hawks have proved how strong their side really is recent weeks with two wins and two draws next to their name. After holding Sydney Olympic to a draw last weekend, the Lady Hawks will be looking to claim all three points and improve their goal difference against an out of form Southern Districts.
-By Peter Nowakowski