Round 7 Preview: NSW Womens Premier League
Round 7 of the competition sees the exciting clash between Sydney University and Illawarra Stingrays at Wilson Park whilst up at Pluim Park, both Central Coast Mariners and Northern Tigers will be looking for their first wins of the season.
163 goals in seven rounds of the competition brings an average of 3.88 goals per game meaning no matter where you go, there will be goals. There really has never been a better time to get along and watch the best of the best in the NSW Womens Premier League!
MATCH OF THE ROUND: Marconi Stallions vs Manly United
Marconi Stadium, 3pm kick off (first grade) 1pm kick off (reserve grade)
Marconi Stallions season form: LLW-WW
Manly United season form: LLW-LW
Marconi Stallions sent shock waves through the competition when they claimed all three points over the Illawarra Stingrays back in Round 5 and that form continued with a morale boosting 4-0 win over Inter Lions away from home last weekend.
Fast-forward to Sunday afternoon and the girls from Marconi will be looking to do more of the same playing a physically and mentally strong game dominated by pace on both flanks. Alana Kennedy has been unsurprisingly instrumental in the midfield for the Stallions this season. It is Kennedy’s quality of play and movement on and off the ball that has been a key influence on playmakers Helen Petinos and Nicola Bolger who have four goals between them.
Manly United’s Kelton McFadden has been in fine form in recent weeks having scored a double over Sutherland Shire Football Association in front of a home crowd at Cromer Park in Round 6 of the competition. Grant Lee will be looking for more of the same for the striker and the whole Manly United squad as they face one of the toughest tasks so far this season. Keeping the Marconi midfield quiet for the 90 minutes will be a full time job for Manly’s midfield combination but after debuts from Tess Olsen and Mackenzie Little, Manly will be looking to block out everything that gets fired in their direction.
Central Coast Mariners Academy vs Northern Tigers
Pluim Park, 3pm kick off (first grade) 1pm kick off (reserve grade)
Central Coast Mariners Academy season form: LLDLLL
Northern Tigers season form: LLL-DL
Central Coast Mariners sit just above the Northern Tigers on the ladder having scored 8 goals in their opening six games. With Mariners’ technical director Mark Jones providing a vocal support from the sidelines and the squad playing a passing game which Pep Guardiola himself would be proud of, this is a game which the Mariners could get their first win of the season.
The Northern Tigers have found life in the Womens Premier League tough but have been working through the pain having scored three goals this campaign and holding Blacktown Spartans to a 1-1 draw back in Round 5 of the competition. This game will be a solid test for Eric Daly’s side who will be hoping young striker Grace Ha will be able to get her name on the scoresheet.
Blacktown Spartans vs Inter Lions
Blacktown Football Park, 3pm kick off (first grade) 1pm kick off (reserve grade)
Blacktown Spartans season form: WLLDDL
Inter Lions season form: WWL-WL
Blacktown Spartans always have been a side that you have to keep one eye on. The girls in orange have the chance to surprise a number of people on Sunday afternoon when they play host to Inter Lions at the picture-esque Blacktown Football Park. Youthful enthusiasm could work in their favour as the Spartans will look to play a high intensity passing game for the full 90 minutes.
Inter Lions will be hoping that Catherine Cannuli will be on her game this Sunday afternoon as the Lions look to claim their fourth win of the season. Having scored 8 goals this season, the Lions are far from shy in the final third of the pitch but the main worry will be their defence which has leaked 10 goals. If the Spartans can get in behind the Lions defence, we could see a number of goals scored on Sunday afternoon.
Sutherland Shire Football Association vs NWS Koalas
Harrie Denning Centre, 3pm kick off (first grade) 1pm kick off (reserve grade)
Sutherland Shire F.A. season form: LLD-LL
NWS Koalas season form: WWWDWD
Round 7 brings a game which Sutherland Shire Football Association will not be looking forward to. Taking on one of the strongest sides in the competition will be a test to see how far the Sutherland side have progressed in recent weeks and whether or not their young squad have plugged their defence which has so far seen 33 goals hit the back of the net.
NWS Koalas have some big names in their squad. Their depth and ability to work well under pressure will be arguably their best asset on Sunday afternoon when they travel to the Harrie Denning Centre. If the Koalas can score early, the girls in yellow will run away with the result early giving their younger players valuable experience in the first team.
Macarthur Rams vs Northbridge FC
Lynwood Park, 3pm kick off (first grade) 1pm kick off (reserve grade)
Macarthur Rams season form: WWDWWD
Northbridge FC season form: LWLDLW
Macarthur Rams remain undefeated in 2013 after their 2-2 draw with the NWS Koalas in Round 6 of the competition. Playing in front of their home support, the Rams will be looking to continue their dominance over the competition with a result over Northbridge FC. Shane Duffy has the girls playing with a smile on their face and a calm attitude. This tactic means that when the Rams are enjoying their football, they will get the results.
Northbridge FC is another team in the competition who will surprise a number of people in the second half of the season. An 8-1 win over the Mariners saw superstar striker Tara Andrews hit the back of the net six times last weekend whilst Hannah Bromley also saw her name on the scoresheet. This weekend though, Hannah will go up against the illustrious Renee Rollason and will face the tough challenge that is keeping Renee quiet for the 90 minutes. Do that and Northbridge have a chance to get a win on Sunday.
Sydney University SFC vs Illawarra Stingrays
Wilson Park, 3pm kick off (first grade) 1pm kick off (reserve grade)
Sydney University SFC season form: WWDDWW
Illawarra Stingrays season form: WWW-LW
Top of the table and unbeaten in six, this is what life is like for the girls from Sydney University SFC. The squad have an average of 3.66 goals per game which is one of the best in the competition and that is mostly down to the hard working Maree Patikas who continues to set up her team mates in front of goal. This game will be based on how well Alesha Clifford can block out the Stingrays attack. If Clifford can do this, Sydney University will do well on Sunday.
The list of quality players amongst the Stingrays squad filters all the way down to their under 12s. With Ann Mayo and Michelle Carney continuing their fine form and the Stingrays having the best goals for and the least goals against this season, this is a game which could see the Stingrays jump into the top three of the ladder.
-By Pete Nowakowski
