Round 4 Preview: NSW Womens Premier League
This Sunday another six fixtures take place as the NSW Womens Premier League continues to go from strength to strength.
After the opening three rounds of the competition, four teams remain undefeated with the Illawarra Stingrays dominating the table with a +19 goal difference. NWS Koalas, Sydney University and Macarthur Rams are the other sides who are yet to drop a point in the 2013 campaign.
MATCH OF THE ROUND: NWS Koalas vs Sydney University
ELS Hall Park 2, 3pm kick off (first grade) 1pm kick off (reserve grade)
Easily the biggest game of the weekend, the Koalas play host to Sydney University at ELS Hall Park and with both sides yet to drop a point this campaign, there can only be one winner at the end of the 90 minutes.
As strong as the Koalas are, the side will be without Chloe Logarzo, Rachael Soutar, Natalie Tobin and Olivia Price who are all away with the under 20s Matilda. This gifts the opportunity to Jade Booty to step up to the first team and show off her full range of tricks and skills. Expect to see the majority of play in the midfield as the Koalas will look to keep the ball on the ground and play a strong passing game in front of a home crowd.
Sydney University have impressed plenty of spectators this season with not only their style of football but also with their attitude. There are three key players to the Sydney University side to keep an eye on in his fixture – the tall defender Alesha Clifford, pacey striker Samantha Spackman and winger Maree Patikas. If these three have the chance to settle on the ball, then Sydney University with have every opportunity to get maximum points away from home.
Macarthur Rams vs Central Coast Mariners Academy – UPDATE WASHED OUT
Lynwood Park, 3pm kick off (first grade)
Undefeated in 2013 and playing some of the best football in the league – this is the situation which Shane Duffy finds himself in. The addition of Emily van Egmond to the side has boosted Rams’ midfield which already featured the likes of Renee Rollason and Kylie Ledbrook. The team will still be without star defender Elizabeth Ralston who is still on national team duty in Canberra.
Pushing through off-field issues, the Central Coast Mariners are winless this season and are looking to kick start their season in Round 4. A 5-1 loss to Blacktown Spartans last weekend showed glimmers of hope and potential for the Mariners but the problems in the back need to be fixed up fast. With 15 goals against, the side will be looking to block out everything that Macarthur throw at them for the 90 minutes at Lynwood Park.
Inter Lions vs Sutherland Shire Football Association – UPDATE WASHED OUT
Concord Oval, 3pm kick off (first grade) 1pm kick off (reserve grade)
Two wins from three games. That is the record which Inter Lions have claimed as the squad current sit fifth on the ladder. Despite having scored six goals, it is their defence, which has leaked five goals which could give Sutherland Shire a chance to score in this game. With a cold and windy afternoon expected, make sure you bring along a jacket as you cheer on the girls at Concord Oval.
Things have been tough for Sutherland Shire Football Association but a revival could be just around the corner. Winless in three, Sutherland are overdue for a win and against the odds, Concord could be the venue where this all happens. With a stronger spine to the Sutherland shire, the travelling side could surprise us all in Round 4 of the competition.
Illawarra Stingrays vs Manly United – UPDATE WASHED OUT
JJ Kelly Park, 3pm kick off (first grade) 1pm kick off (reserve grade)
Stingrays Away. These are the words which have been haunting Manly United during the week but for the home team, it is business as usual. The Stingrays have set the tone early on in the season having scored 21 goals in three games and with Michelle Carney is fine form, the girls in pink will be looking to add to their growing goal tally.
Manly United have surprised a few people with their willingness to push forward and attack the ball with pace. With an average of 4.3 goals per game, Manly are far from shy in front of goal making this game either going to be a high scoring affair or a very tight fixture. If the rain holds out, this will be a very interesting fixture so early in the season.
Northern Tigers vs Marconi Stallions – UPDATE WASHED OUT.
Mills Park, 3pm kick off (first grade) 1pm kick off (reserve grade
Things don’t get any easier for the Northern Tigers with the club welcoming the mighty Marconi Stallions to Mills Park on Sunday afternoon. The club in green and white will be looking to plug a leaky defence that has let 20 goals hit the back of the net. With three losses from three games, the Tigers will be looking to try and get a point from this game.
Marconi Stallions so far have failed to live up to the hype that surrounded the team in the pre-season. Getting their first win of the season in Round 3 against Northbridge FC, the Stallions will be looking to continue that momentum and dominate the game against the Northern Tigers. Anything less than three points will be a disappointing performance for the girls in blue.
Northbridge FC vs Blacktown Spartans FC
Northbridge Oval, 3pm kick off (first grade) 1pm kick off (reserve grade)
Northbridge FC play host to Blacktown Spartans in Round 4 of the competition and will be looking to bounce back after a less than convincing performance in Round 3. Playing at Northbridge Oval, the home side have a 100% win record in 2013 and will be looking to continue that form.
The Spartans have had a hot/cold start to the 2013 season securing one win in the opening three rounds. Having scored five goals in three games, the club have shown their strength in the final third of the pitch and so will be looking to push the Northbridge defensive unit. You can expect to see plenty of action in the middle of the park with both teams looking to play a passing game.
-Words and Pictures by Pete Nowakowski
