Womens State League Round 10 Preview
Womens State League sides will be hoping for blue skies after a weekend of wet weather laid waste to Sunday’s Round 9 action.
This week there are a few local derbies, while table toppers Sydney Olympic face defending premiers and club championship leaders UNSW Lions.
Parramatta Ladyhawks v Southern Branch. MONDAY 10th, Melita Stadium, 3pm.
Southern Branch travel to Granville on Monday to face Parramatta Ladyhawks in a mid-table clash. Both sides have the potential to be in the top four, however inconsistency has hampered their campaign. Both sides also like playing at home, however with Southern Branch on the road this week, the advantage is firmly in Parramatta’s favour.
St George Saints v Gladesville Ravens. St George Stadium, 3pm.
Both St George and Gladesville will be desperate for a win to keep them in the hunt for the top four. Saints have the ability to score lots of goals, but it has been a leaky defence that has caused them headaches this season. The Ravens are still a work in progress, only showing glimpses of their potential. Expect a close game between two sides under pressure.
Western NSW Mariners v APIA Leichhardt Tigers. Waratah Sports Complex, 3pm.
Western NSW have proved very difficult to beat out west, and this week they play their first match in Orange for the season. APIA will be forced to travel that little bit further for the match, which will make life all the more difficult. However, only a fool would discount the women from Leichhardt, who will look to make life hard for their more fancied opponents.
Sydney Olympic v UNSW Lions. Blick Oval, 3pm.
In what should be the match of the round, the defending premiers play the undefeated competition leaders Sydney Olympic. George Beltsos’ side has seen off form sides like Western NSW and Bankstown so far this season, but UNSW will be keen to reassert their authority and close the gap at the top of the table. Olympic are expected to welcome back dangerous goalscorer Kate Halaska, while all eyes will again be on Uni’s star stiker Ayse Adalis.
Bankstown City Lions v Southern Districts Emeralds. Jensen Park, 3pm.
It has been labeled the south-western Sydney derby, and expectations for a close match are high with both sides sitting pretty in the top four. Bankstown are one of the best ball playing sides in the Womens State League, while Southern Districts are always dangerous on the counter. Look out for the Emeralds’ Kristy Rohrer and Bankstown attacking midfielder Samantha Muscat.
Nepean v Mt Druitt Town Rangers. Cook Park, 3pm.
The Rangers cross the Great Western Highway for a local derby against Nepean. Drawing from the same catchment area, these two sides know each other well. Mt Druitt are the favourites, however there is no doubt that the women in red and white will be up for this one.
-By Joe Gorman
