Round 4 Preview: NSW Womens State League

An exciting round of matches awaits in the Women’s State League, with many sides still in search of their first win of the season after wet weather has washed out much of the first three rounds of football. But with the players raring to go, expect plenty of goals this Sunday.

Western NSW Mariners v Parramatta Ladyhawks. Proctor Park, 3pm.

Top of the table Ladyhawks travel to Bathurst to play the Mariners, who are coming off two consecutive wins. With Parramatta striker Alix Waddell in a rich vein of form, the Mariners’ defence will have to be focused for the whole ninety minutes. However, the Mariners have their own attacking weapons, in particular Gillian Rosconi, who has scored in every match so far this season.

Southern Branch v Saints. South Nowra Football Complex, 3pm.

The Saints have had a stop-start beginning to their season, with two of their three opening games washed out. This week they make the long trip to Nowra to play Southern Branch, who struggled last week against the Mariners. Both sides are looking for their first points of the season.

Mt Druitt Town Rangers v APIA Leichhardt Tigers. Popondetta Park, 3pm.

With both APIA and Mt. Druitt looking to register their first wins of the season, this week’s clash promises to be a tough contest. In their only match so far, a young APIA young side showed plenty of promise with several attacking threats, including Willow Shorrocks and Jessica Ibrahim. The home side Mt Druitt will have to make it tough for the visitors.

Southern Districts Emeralds v UNSW Lions. Ernie Smith Reserve, 3pm.

In what promises to be one of the matches of Round 4, the defending champions visit Southern Districts’ home ground at Ernie Smith Reserve. UNSW have only played once so far this season, but they are a well-oiled unit, with strength and skill all over the park. The Emeralds, however, are no easybeats, having scored eight goals in just two outings. Expect an free-flowing, high-scoring match.

Bankstown City FC v Gladesville Ravens. Jensen Park, 3pm.

The clash between these two sides is surely the match-up of Round 4. Gladesville have showed signs that they’ll be one of the teams to beat this season, while Bankstown are proving to be very strong at home. Having played two of the opening three matches this season at Jensen Park, the Lionesses goes into this fixture as slight favourites. 

Nepean FC v Sydney Olympic. Cook Park, 3pm.

Things haven’t gone to plan for Nepean so far, but what better way to turn things around than with a win at home. They’ll have their work cut out for them though, as Olympic have plenty of attacking threats, not least Kate Halaska.

-By Joe Gorman (photo by Pete Nowakowski)