Women?s Super League Finals Series Round 1 Preview

The final four. This is it. The moment many girls have been dreaming about since the start of the season way back in March.  
After 18 rounds of the competition, the table finished up with Eastern UNSW Lions claiming bragging rights and enjoying the view at the top. With the league?s top goal scorer leading the attack as well as the perfect combination between youth and experience, UNSW Lions are ones to keep an eye on this finals series.  
The club championship however was the goal for Northern Tigers at the start of the season and that goal was met on the final day of the competition thanks to some dominating displays in the Grade 12s, 14s and 16s. With the hope of Premier League football in 2013, Northern Tigers need to make sure this finals series is going to be a memorable one.  
Minor Semi Final: Northern Tigers v Southern Districts 
Mills Park, 4pm kick off – SATURDAY
Heading into the finals there is no doubt that the happiest side to be there is Northern Tigers who have ensured all of their teams from the 12s to the first team have made the finals. Arguably the best win though is the fact that Northern Tigers are playing host to the finals on one of the best fields in the competition. Mills Park.
The home team have produced some outstanding football this season with the stand out performers being the goalkeeper Jess Golledge, the very young but promising centre back Sam Lynch as well as the silent but deadly striker, Grace ?ninja? Ha. It the balance between defence, counter attack and the pressure in the final third which has won over a number of fans this season to the side from Asquith.
The Emeralds will be heading to Mills Park quietly confident of being able to overcome the Tigers thanks to a recent 2-0 win at Ernie Smith Reserve just last weekend. With the likes of Willow Shorrocks pulling the strings in the midfield partnering up with the strength and pace of Sheree Bryant means that Districts know exactly what they need to do to get the win they desperately want.
The last time Northern Tigers secured a win over Southern Districts was well back in Round 9 of the competition when the girls in green and white claimed a 2-1 win. Looking forward to this weekend, you can expect a fiery and feisty affair with just the one or two goals scored across the 90 minutes.
Northern Tigers form heading into finals series: L-W-W-W-L
Southern Districts form heading into finals series: W-W-D-W-W
Full list of Minor Semi Final fixtures at Mills Park on Saturday:
Grade 12 ? Western NSW Mariners v St. George FC – 9am kick off
Grade 14 ? Parramatta Lady Hawks v Sydney Olympic ? 10:20am kick off
Grade 16 ? Nepean FC v Northern Tigers ? 11:45am kick off
Reserve Grade ? Northern Tigers v Southern Branch ? 1:30pm kick off
First Grade ? Northern Tigers v Southern Districts ? 4pm kick off.
Major Semi Final: Eastern UNSW Lions v Southern Branch
David Phillips Field, 4pm kick off – SUNDAY
Southern Branch are heading into this fixture favourites after two dominating performances during the season. A 3-1 win back in Round 8 and a 2-1 win just a fortnight ago is proof of Branch?s quality across the field and their ability to overcome the best of the best when they put their mind to it.
Playing in front of a home crowd at a field they know better than anywhere else will work in the favour of UNSW Lions who were awarded the Women?s Super League Premiership clocking up 13 wins and 2 draws during the season. It is the perfect link and almost psychic connection, which flows through the entire squad that has been the difference between UNSW Lions and the rest of the competition.
Southern Branch have fought hard during 2012 to claim second spot on the ladder with a goal difference of +24 as well as 11 wins next to their name. It is the club?s physical presence as well as ability to quickly turn defence into attack that is shown why this team has been the side everyone has wanted to beat with only four sides being able to claim that glory.
The key battle on Sunday will be between Branch?s Chantelle Nahokau and UNSW?s golden girl, Ayse Adalis. If Adalis is kept quiet during the 90 minutes and stopped from having her signature shots from range over the keeper, we can expect Branch to push on for glory.
Eastern UNSW Lions form heading into finals series: W-W-W-L-W
Southern Branch form heading into finals series: W-W-D-W-L
Full list of Major Semi Final Fixtures at David Phillips Field on Sunday:
Grade 12 ? Northern Tigers v Eastern UNSW Lions ? 9am kick off
Grade 14 ? Northern Tigers v Southern Branch ? 10:20am kick off
Grade 16 ? Southern Branch v Western NSW Mariners ? 11:45am kick off
Reserve Grade ? Eastern UNSW Lions v Parramatta Lady Hawks ? 1:30pm kick off
First Grade ? Eastern UNSW Lions v Southern Branch ? 4pm kick off
-By Peter Nowakowski