NSW Womens Premier League Round 2 Preview
The opening day of the Womens Premier League was everything we expected and so much more with 27 goals scored across six matches.
Sydney University have declared themselves as early favourites for the Club Championship being the only team in the competition to be undefeated in all age groups. The Illawarra Stingrays are enjoying the view at the top of the ladder after an win on the opening day of the competition and will be hoping to stay in the top. For Sutherland Shire Football, Central Coast Mariners Academy and Northern Tigers though, the only way from here is up after their less than convincing displays in Round 1.
MATCH OF THE ROUND: Sutherland Shire Football Assoc vs Illawarra Stingrays
Harrie Denning Centre, 3pm kick off (first grade) 1pm kick off (reserve grade)
Dubbed the Battle of the South, Sutherland Shire Football play host to the Illawarra Stingrays in what is considered one of the biggest games this early in the season.
Sutherland Shire Football started the season on the wrong foot with a 4-0 defeat when the team in blue went up against the mighty Sydney University in Round 1 of the competition. Over the Easter long weekend, the squad has been working hard at training to gel together, focusing on playing a quicker brand of football. This is helped with the addition of pacey forward Amy Jagelman to the Sutherland Shire side who will be looking to make an instant impression on the competition this weekend. Georgia Rowntree will be another key player this campaign for Sutherland Shire as the influential goalkeeper will try to deny one of the best strikers in the competition on Sunday afternoon.
Seven goals, three points and smiles all round. This was the scene on 24th March when the Stingrays took on Northern Tigers in front of a home support at JJ Kelly Park. In Round 2 the team in pink will be looking to do more of the same, feeding Michelle Carney with plenty of goal scoring opportunities after her four goal rampage in Round 1. If the Stingrays manage to score early, then there is no doubt they will run away with a win away from home. The key here will be the Stingrays ability to not hold back for even a second in this game. The moment they do, Sutherland Shire will have their chance.
Northern Tigers vs Inter Lions
Mills Park, 3pm kick off (first grade) 1pm kick off (reserve grade)
Round 1 saw Northern Tigers were on the receiving end of a ‘Welcome to the Premier League’ 7-0 thumping by the Illawarra Stingrays. In Round 2 head coach Eric Daly will be looking to push back and get something out of their game against Inter Lions. Playing with heavy passing game influence and pace in the final third, the Northern Tigers will be no push over this season and against Inter Lions, there is always a possibility of an upset. The key player for this clash will be midfielder Katie Daly. On her day, the Tigers’ midfield unit will be tough to break down. The home team will be hoping that Sunday will be Katie’s day to shine.
Inter Lions will be hoping to continue their form from Round 1 where they beat Northbridge FC 1-0 in front of a home crowd. To do that, Inter Lions will have to get a result at the fortress that is Mills Park. After scoring the winning goal in Round 1, Paige Hoyward will be hoping to continue her great link up play with the illustrious Catherine Cannulli and challenge for a spot in the race for the 2013 Golden Boot. Whilst the travelling supporter will be rugged up and warm on the sidelines, the Inter Lions girls will be looking to make the ball do all the work as they play a short passing game.
Northbridge FC vs Manly United FC
Northbridge Oval, 3pm kick off (first grade) 1pm kick off (reserve grade)
Welcome to the Northern Suburbs Derby – the match which almost every club will be keeping an eye on in the build-up. Northbridge FC fought hard through-out the opening day of the competition claiming victories in all grades except for the first team. A 1-0 loss against Inter Lions was not what the team in red were hoping and with the news that Hannah Brewer will miss out on playing this weekend due to injury, there is no doubt that this will be not only a test of mental strength but also tactical ability for Larry Bates’ team when they welcome Manly United to Northbridge Oval.
Head coach Grant Lee has created a well-oiled machine at Manly United with the first team playing some of the best football they have in years. The loss in Round 1 to NWS Koalas failed to show the possession based style of play which is being emphasised at Cromer Park and on the picturesque field that is Northbridge Oval, Manly United will have the prime opportunity to show off their full range of skills and tricks. Losing in not an option in the Northern Suburbs Derby and both sides have been preparing eagerly in anticipation for this clash.
North West Sydney Koalas vs Marconi Stallions
ELS Halls Park 2, 3pm kick off (first grade) 1pm kick off (reserve grade)
Mixed emotions were on display after Round 1 of the competition with NWS Koalas celebrating their 3-1 win over Manly United at Cromer Park whilst over at Marconi, the Stallions failed to find an equaliser going down 3-2 against Macarthur Rams. In Round 2 though, all eyes will be focused on arguably the signing of the season Teresa Polias after her move from Marconi Stallions to the NWS Koalas. The 2012 Platinum Medal winner will be looking to inspire her side to glory and with the likes of Natalie Tobin, Ellyse Perry and Chloe Logarzo in her squad; anything is possible for the NWS Koalas this season.
The loss from Round 1 is ancient history for the Marconi Stallions who will be looking to get their season heading in the right direction this weekend. For this to happen, the club will need Renee Tomkins, Alanna Kennedy and Nicola Bolger to be at their best and pushing hard. The addition of Sydney FC’s championship winning goalkeeper Shamiran Khamis to the Marconi squad creates a selection headache for head coach Robert Pierce who now has to choose between Sham and Bianca Alchi for the first grade position between the posts when the team take on the Koalas on Sunday.
Macarthur Ram vs Blacktown Spartans FC
Lynwood Park, 3pm kick off (first grade) 1pm kick off (reserve grade)
Round 1 saw an ideal start for both teams with Macarthur Rams and Blacktown Spartans FC getting maximum points in their first grade fixtures against Marconi Stallions and Central Coast Mariners Academy respectively. After watching Macarthur ply their trade on the opening day of the competition, it is obvious how important Renee Rollason, Elizabeth Ralston and Trudy Burke will be during the season due to their experience, leadership qualities and quality of play. It will be up to head coach Shane Duffy to harness those qualities to keep Macarthur strong during the season.
Blacktown Spartans FC are the surprise package to the competition with their never-say-die attitudes and willingness to constantly apply pressure to the opposition’s defence, qualities that they share with their namesake. Patricia Charalambous already has two goals next to her name and is on the hunt for more glory as the striker targets another strong performance in Round 2 of the Womens Premier League.
Central Coast Mariners Academy vs Sydney University SFC
Pluim Park, 3pm kick off (first grade) 1pm kick off (reserve grade)
Things didn’t go according to plan in Round 1 for the Mariners who went down 5-1 when they faced Blacktown Spartans at Blacktown Football Park. Fast forward to Round 2 and the Mariners will be looking to learn from their mistakes to grow stronger and really challenge Sydney University SFC hard for all three points when the two sides do battle at Pluim Park on Sunday afternoon.
Sydney University have staked their claim in the hunt for the 2013 Club Championship after becoming the only team in the competition to have not lost a game in any age group after Round 1. It is this quality which feeds through all the teams which makes Sydney University the club everyone wants to go up against. A cool and lightly windy day is expected on the coast for this game with a few showers during the day, so bring out your scarves and your jackets if you’ll be at Pluim Park on Sunday.
-Words and Pictures by Pete Nowakowski
