Womens Super League Round 15 Preview

With six teams fighting for a place in the top four of the competition, this is the business end where almost every game is like a grand final. Anything is possible and knowing this league, expect the unexpected.
Bathurst, Moorebank, Leichhardt, St. Mary?s and Ku-ring-gai all welcome Women?s Super League football to their fields and with the announcement of a W-League Western Sydney Wanderers squad this week, there are plenty of girls who have the potential and will be hoping to impress for a chance at the big time.  
MATCH OF THE ROUND: Northern Tigers v Parramatta Lady Hawks  
Mills Park, 3pm kick off 
With two teams fighting fit and ready for action, Mills Park plays host to Match of the Round in Round 15 of the Women?s Super League as sixth placed Northern Tigers welcome third ranked Parramatta Lady Hawks to the field of battle.  
Northern Tigers? footballing philosophy is simple. Short, sharp passing, quick movement from defence into attack and always play with a smile on your face. These qualities combine to make a side, which, with some more experience, wouldn?t look, out of place in the Premier League. With a formidable three pronged attacking line and a midfield partnership which most clubs are envious of, Northern Tigers will be looking to get back on the winning path after last weekend?s set back against UNSW Lions.  
Which these sides met back in May, the Lady Hawks ran away 2-0 winners at Melita Stadium. Skip forward to Round 15 and the Lady Hawks are looking mentally and physically strong, knowing that with four matches left this season, a slip up here could be the difference between finishing third or potentially lower on the ladder. Having the fourth best goals for and the fourth least goals against, watch out for the club?s number four to get on the scoresheet. If it doesn?t happen, then there goes any hope of a joke in match review on Sunday afternoon.  
Western NSW Mariners v Sydney Olympic FC 
Alec Lamberton Field, 3pm kick off 
The Mariners play host to their fourth home game in a row with all fingers crossed that the weather holds out so they can actually play this Round 15 clash. Having won three games so far this season, one of those being against Sydney Olympic way back in Round six, the Bathurst based club are hoping they can get the right result and potentially boost the club up to eighth on the ladder.  
Sydney Olympic were the in form side of the competition until they were trumped by St. George at St. George Stadium in Round 14. That 2-1 loss will be considered just a speed bump on the club?s path to third place on the ladder. Despite having scored just 19 goals all season, Olympic?s defence is one of the best in the league. If the Mariners are going to get a win they will face a tough test against the might of Sydney Olympic. A draw is most likely however don?t be surprised if the travelling team are the ones celebrating come full time.  
Southern Districts v St. George FC 
Ernie Smith Reserve, 3pm kick off 
The Emeralds did the (near) impossible last weekend as they took on a beat the Parramatta Lady Hawks 2-1 at Melita Stadium. A result not many other clubs can say they have achieved in 2012. Having struggled to turn near losses in draws during the season, Districts are looking to plug any holes they have in defence. Sitting just outside the top four, Districts know that this is the key moment of the season where a win could mean finals football or a loss might mean a disappointing end to what promised to be a strong season.  
St. George managed to pull apart Southern Districts back in May when these two sides first met, move forward to today and despite the team knowing that finals football is out of reach, the motivation and determination to finish off the season on a high is immense from the travelling side. The team at St. George can be nothing by proud of their performances however know that a win is exactly what is needed to boost the morale of the team. St. George have every chance to push hard against Southern Districts however with the Emeralds in such good form, this could be a tight game.   
APIA Leichhardt Tigers v Southern Branch 
Lambert Park, 3pm kick off
APIA Leichhardt Tigers might be bottom of the table, have just one win next to their name and have the worst defence in the competition, but the amazing thing about the club is that each week when the girls take the field, they are still smiling and proud to be wearing the Tigers jersey. It is this mentality which has changed APIA?s season from being a disaster and being a season of change and bad luck. There is nothing that the girls from Leichhardt would like more than to get a win against top placed Southern Branch in front of a home support at Lambert Park.  
Top placed Southern Branch know that with Eastern UNSW Lions just a point away, a win against APIA Leichhardt Tigers is not just a necessity for the club from South Nowra, it is a must. When these two sides last met in May, Southern Branch ran away 6-2 winners thanks to some fantastic football on display at Ison Park. As we look forward to this Sunday, the pitch is going to play a huge part in the game. Southern Branch are going to have to bring their ?A? game on Sunday to make sure they get the result they not only need but also deserve.  
Nepean FC v Eastern UNSW Lions 
Cooks Park, 5pm kick off 
Nepean FC maintain their title as quiet achievers of the Super League as they occupy eighth place on the ladder. After four wins and two draws, finals football might be out of reach but that doesn?t mean pride isn?t a worthy cause to fight for. Nepean might have walked away from David Phillips Field back in May as 5-2 losers, but we have a good feeling that the result will be a lot closer come Round 15. Expect the home side to fight hard for a result and with a little luck, a win wouldn?t be all that unrealistic for Nepean FC.  
There is not a whole lot that can be said about Eastern UNSW Lions that hasn?t already. The team is brilliant. With fantastic depth, outstanding players and some of the best coaches in the league, there is not a whole lot that UNSW Lions are not capable of doing. Hovering in second place with two games to catch up on before the season?s end, top place is in sight for the team in yellow. Having one of the best attacking partnerships, midfield combinations, defensive units and goalkeepers in the competition, Eastern UNSW Lions have what it takes to win this league and be worthy opponents in the Premier League if lady luck is on their side. A win is exactly what the club needs and a win is exactly the prediction for this game.
– By Pete Nowakowski