Women’s Super League Round 10 Preview

This Sunday afternoon we have five fixtures across the state to keep us on the edge of our seats with excitement and anticipation of the unknown. With the Mariners, Nepean FC, UNSW Lions, Southern Branch and APIA Tigers all hosting games, there has never been a better time to get down to your local field and support women?s football.
MATCH OF THE ROUND: APIA Leichhardt Tigers v Sydney Olympic FC
Lambert Park, 3pm kick off
This Sunday is set to bring the cold weather and plenty of rain but Lambert Park is the place to be as bottom placed APIA Leichhardt Tigers plays host to third placed Sydney Olympic FC.
There aren?t many sides who have had as many issues as APIA Tigers has this season with the injury list almost as long as the list of fit players. Last weekend APIA managed to grab a point in their game against St. George at the expensive of yet another long term injury ? their ninth blow of the season. There aren?t many people who are as proud of the current crew of players as head coach, Tarek Madani. Doing the best he can with the players at his disposal, APIA are slowly on the rise if results work in their favour, the home side could move off the bottom of the ladder.
Sydney Olympic have become the quiet achievers of the 2012 Super League season and have surprised everyone with their strong performances seeing the team in blue move into the top three. Despite only scoring 14 goals so far this season, it is Olympic?s defence which has been outstanding having only seen 9 goals get past their keeper. Olympic have a good chance of getting at least a point this weekend at Lambert Park, having already secured a 2-1 win in their previous fixture.
Western NSW Mariners v Northern Tigers
Alec Lamberton Field, 3pm kick off
The Mariners are currently going through a dip in their form, something which the youngest team in the competition are trying to work on at training to create a more positive environment to play and enjoy their football. In the last two weekends, the Mariners have let 10 balls slip past their defensive line and into the back of the net. As demoralising as this might be, the squad?s ability to bounce back is something which cannot be learnt but is thanks to the ?never say die? spirit of the squad. If the Mariners are to win on Sunday, they will have to rely on their passing game and pace on the counter attack.
Looking forward to a long trek out to Bathurst are the girls from Northern Tigers FC. Having moved from strength to strength, the squad are keen to make it two wins in a row after a strong win over Southern Districts. With Gab Dal Pozza, Ellana Balicki and Grace Ha all in fantastic form, the three prong striking partnership have pace, strength and endurance on their side. A killer combination, which has been working all season, has seen the Tigers score 15 goals in just nine games. When these teams last met, the Tigers just edged out winners in a thrilling 3-2 fixture. This time around the score line is just as unpredictable, but one thing is for sure, keep listening for Grace Balicki?s shouts of ?Tigers are the greatest!? come full time at Alec Lamberton Park.
Nepean FC v Southern Districts
Cook Park, 3pm kick off
Nepean FC have had their fair share of issues this season and rather than sinking to rock bottom, the club are starting to swim through all the problems and push for a top half of the ladder finish. Despite the speed bump that was last week?s narrow loss to Sydney Olympic, Nepean are striving to get back on track and back to winning ways starting against Southern Districts at Cook Park.
The Emeralds endured a tough but technical game against Northern Tigers at Mills Park last weekend. This time around, Southern Districts travel to Cook Park with three points on the radar. Having clearly won the physical battle in recent weeks leaving the opposition battered and bruised, the strength of the Emeralds will be one again on show with Julie Glasovac and Sheree Bryant pushing their way through the defence to get their name on the scoresheet.
Eastern UNSW Lions v Parramatta Lady Hawks
David Phillips Field, 3pm kick off
Eastern UNSW Lions overcome a valiant Western NSW Mariners in Round 9 to maintain their dominance at the top of the ladder, stretching their lead to three points clear of second place. When these sides last went head to head, the points were shared in a 2-2 draw. That game was at Melita Stadium, this time around at David Phillips Field things could be different. With arguably the best goalkeeper of the competition, Amanda Watson between the sticks and Ayse Adalis and Lisa Mitchell scoring goals for fun, this game could very easily become one sided if the Lions are having a good day.
The Lady Hawks have had a on and off again last couple of games after a loss to Nepean FC, a narrow win over APIA Leichhardt Tigers and going down 3-2 to Southern Branch last weekend. This run of form has seen the travelling side slip from the top two of the table down to fourth struggling to turn their draws into wins. P. Grant has become the focus to the Lady Hawks? attack and will looking to get past the home team?s back line to score early again and score often.
Southern Branch v St. George FC
Ison Park, 3pm kick off
Southern Branch play host to a St. George FC on Sunday afternoon in a fixture which it would take a brave man to predict the victor. In recent weeks Southern Branch have been quietly consistent in their performances and deservedly occupy second spot on the ladder with six wins next to their name. The key player for the home side will be once again Chantelle Nahokau who has fantastic balance and good strength on the ball making her runs from the centre back role into midfield the perfect counter attacking transition.
Some might say that St. George have had lady luck on their side to have climbed up to sixth on the ladder, others will say it is down to their simple passing game and the positive vibe around the squad. In essence it is both. St. George are enjoying their football and are playing with smiles on their faces, a deadly combination which is set to push Southern Branch to their limits. Alana Humphries is the focus to St. George?s attacking power and looks to add more goals to her name whilst down in Nowra. 
-Peter Nowakowski