Womens Premier League Round 14 Preview
After only three games were played in round 13 and we were left waiting for that mouth-watering clash between 1st and 2nd, we have seen a change at the top of the Women’s Premier League ladder.
The Illawarra Stingrays have hit the top of the ladder and will look to fend off the challenges from its rivals as the season draws to a close.
If weather permits, we’ll be looking at an interesting round 14 of clashes as the premiership race is ever closer and the fight for the final spots really heats up.
In the early game on Sunday afternoon, the Central Coast Mariners Academy welcome the Sutherland Shire Football Association to Pluim Park at 1pm. In the earlier game in the season between the two, we were treated to an amazing 8 goal thriller. The score ending in a 4-4 draw with an incredible seven different goal scorers.
The Mariners game was washed out last week and they didn’t play against Sydney University SFC while the Sharks were humiliated by the Illawarra Stingrays.
The Sharks recorded their first victory a few weeks ago and will be looking to notch up another win this week to leapfrog the Mariners on the ladder and move away from that wooden spoon.
At ELS Hall Park at 3pm on Sunday, the North West Sydney Koala’s entertain the Blacktown Spartans. After a good first half showing against Macarthur last week the Spartans ended up going down 3-0 courtesy of a Kylie Ledbrook hat-trick. They’ll be looking to Reagan Mitchell to come up with something to help them overcome the high flying Koala’s.
The Koala’s eagerly anticipated clash against the Marconi Stallions was washed out last week and will they will be keen to get out and play some football this weekend in their quest for the minor premiership. Was the week off good or bad for the Koala’s? We’ll know the answer on Sunday evening.
The Koala’s came away with a 2-0 victory in April courtesy of goals from Jade Booty and Shayna Killey.
The Inter Lions travel down south to take on the new league leaders the Illawarra Stingrays at JJ Kelly Park at 3pm on Sunday. The Stingrays took top spot after round 13 with a huge 12-2 win over Sutherland. With Michele Carney in red hot form, they’ll be looking to hold onto that spot with another win this weekend against the Lions.
Inter didn’t play last week but have been struggling for form the last few weeks going down to both the Koala’s and Northbridge. They’ll be looking toward Catherine Cannuli to help steady the ship as they march toward finals football.
In the round 3 game earlier this year, the Stingrays came away from Concord oval with a 4-2 victory over the Lions.
At Mills Park on Sunday at 3pm, bottom placed Northern Tigers will look to seal their first win of the season as they prepare to tackle Manly United FC.
Manly beat the giant killing and inform Northbridge FC last week 2-0. They’ll be looking to build on that win and continue their fight for finals football. The Tigers on the other hand, didn’t play last weekend as their game against the Inter Lions was washed out.
In the first meeting between these two sides earlier in the season, Manly came away with an astonishing 10-1 victory at Cromer Park.
Northbridge FC sent a warning to the whole competition with victories over Illawarra and the Inter Lions but were brought back down to earth last week by Manly. They welcome second placed Marconi Stallions to Northbridge oval on Sunday at 3pm.
Marconi has been in fine form over the past few weeks and with the addition of former Matilda Heather Garriock to the playing roster the team just looks stronger. As last week’s derby against the Koala’s wasn’t played due to wet weather, Marconi dropped to second place behind the Illawarra Stingrays.
The Stallions though will be aware of the threat and capabilities of this Northbridge squad and will ensure they do not get complacent. Northbridge’s fight for finals football took a hit last week against Manly and they will do all they can to get back on track to ensure they’re playing football come September.
Earlier in the season, Marconi comfortably beat Northbridge by 4-1 at Marconi Stadium, but the giant killers will do all they can to overturn that score line.
In the final match of round 14, the Macarthur Rams entertain Sydney University SFC at Lynwood Park at 3pm.
With Kylie Ledbrook in fine form following her hat-trick last week, the Rams will be confident they can continue their fight for the minor premiership. University though, didn’t play last week and will ensure that the players come into the game as fresh and ready as possible. With the season slowly coming to an end, the elusive 5th spot is not too far away for them now.
The last time these two played, they met at Wilson Park in round three and the spoils were shared as the score finished 1-1. Each team will be gunning to go that step further and record a victory.
-By: Nikola Pozder
