Women’s Super League Round 7 Preview

As the competition comes closer to the halfway point, slowly the line between the top sides and the bottom teams is starting grow with Southern Branch, UNSW Lions, Parramatta Lady Hawks and Northern Tigers running away at the top.
The surprise package has been Western NSW Mariners and St. George FC who have both seen a string of strong performances boosting their team spirits against all the odds.
MATCH OF THE ROUND: Parramatta Lady Hawks v Nepean FC
Melita Stadium, 3pm kick off
This Sunday, Melita Stadium earns the right to host the match of the round as the Lady Hawks take on bottom of the ladder Nepean FC in a game, which is guaranteed to produce some stunning goals and fancy footwork.
Third placed Lady Hawks remain the only side in the competition who are unbeaten all season, a record which the coaching staff and players are very proud of. Having scored 17 goals in six games, the Lady Hawks are far from shy in front of goal and against Nepean there is a good chance this game will be shooting practice for the home side?s striking partnership. It?s hard to see past the Lady Hawks to get all three points however stranger things have happened in football.
Nepean FC are winless in six with a goal difference of -9. Things are not looking good for the travelling side who have struggled this season with just two draws next to their name. This week, Nepean have been working on their plugging their leaky defence and improving their pace on the counter attack, two tactics which are necessary if they are to steal a point away from the Lady Hawks.
Western NSW Mariners v Southern Branch
Alec Lamberton Park, 3pm kick off
Two in form sides will go face to face at Alec Lamberton on Sunday with top of the table side Southern Branch favourites. The home side are full of confidence after a string of strong performances including a 2-0 win over Sydney Olympic last weekend. Again the key player for the Mariners will be Kelsey Tuttle who is terrorising defences with her weaving runs and ability to shoot from range.
Occupying top spot on the ladder is Southern Branch who have an average of scoring four goals per game making their striking partnership one of the most menacing in the league. Despite facing the long trek out to Bathurst for this game, it is hard to see past the former Premier League side getting all three points on Sunday afternoon.
Southern Districts v Sydney Olympic
Ernie Smith Reserve, 3pm kick off
Despite some poor performances in recent weeks, Southern Districts? squad remains in good spirits knowing that the all important win could happen this weekend against eighth placed Olympic. With quality players across the entire field the question is on what tactics will be used for this game to combat the pacey counter attack of Sydney Olympic. Hopefully the spectators at Ernie Smith Reserve will walk away with a smile on their face rather than ruing missed opportunities.
Sydney Olympic might not have scored many goals this season but boast the best defence in the league having only seen four goals slip past their goalkeeper. Against Southern Districts, this could be the chance that we see Olympic run away with a couple goals next to their name. With a well-drilled squad and the ability to hit back with pace, Olympic could do grab at a point or even a win against the home side.
Northern Tigers v St. George FC
Mills Park, 3pm kick off
A team high on morale verses a squad full of confidence is the battle we get to witness at Mills Park as fourth placed Northern Tigers take on fifth side St. George FC. The Tigers claim the home advantage as they will look to play their usual football based on doing the simple things right and the play the ball forward at every opportunity.  With a well-balanced squad, it?s hard to not back the Tigers to get the win on Sunday.
St. George are on the rise with Jess Carosi and Alana Humphries both in fine form in the front third after some fantastic performances in recent weeks. If St. George manage to get a win or even a point against the Tigers this weekend, it will definitely put a smile on the face of every player and coach ahead of next weekend?s clash against Nepean FC.
APIA Leichhardt Tigers v Eastern UNSW Lions
Wilson Park, 3pm kick off
With more players on the physio bench than on the field most weeks, this has been a tough season for APIA Tigers who are missing the quality striking of 2011 Golden Boot winner, Ayse Adalis. With just one win next to their name and 11 games to go, APIA need to sort out their issues now if they want to challenge for a finals spot come the end of the season.
Eastern UNSW Lions might not like the label ?favourites? but with the quality of football they have been playing and the goals their star striker Ayse Adalis has been scoring, they are tipped to get all three points this weekend scoring a number of goals in the process. With the best coaches in the league amongst their ranks, 2012 could just be the year of the Lion. 
-By Peter Nowakowski