Women’s State League Round 21 Preview
With only a few short weeks remaining before the finals, several teams are jostling for the top spots.
Parramatta Ladyhawks need to keep winning to give themselves any hope of making the top five, while in-form UNSW will have their eye on taking top spot with a late run home.
UNSW Lions v Sydney Olympic. David Phillips Complex, 3pm.
After UNSW’s five-goal drubbing of Bankstown last week, Sydney Olympic will be wary heading into the eastern suburbs. Depleted with injuries to several key players, Olympic have slipped up in the race for top spot, and will need a gutsy performance to take any points away from UNSW. If they can win their last three games against APIA, UNSW and Southern Districts, however, they might be able to earn back their place at the top. However, with UNSW and Southern Districts’ eyes firmly on the top of the ladder, they’ll have their work cut out for them.
Southern Districts v Bankstown City. Ernie Smith Reserve, 3pm.
Southern Districts have been one of the toughest teams to beat all season, especially when they play at their home ground in Moorebank. Led by the inspirational Kristy Rohrer, this Sunday the Emeralds face a wounded Bankstown City side looking to bounce back from their biggest defeat of the season. With the Ladyhawks lurking just outside the top five, Bankstown will need to keep winning to avoid slipping out of contention.
APIA Leichhardt v Western NSW Mariners. Lambert Park, 3pm
The Mariners will come to Leichhardt full of confidence, having dispatched their last two opponents by huge margins. However, APIA Leichhardt will be keen to spoil the league leaders goal-fest and continue their giant killing ways. If they can press the Mariners high up the park to shut down their swift passing game and keep tabs on goal-sneak Megan Embleton, APIA could be in with a real chance for another upset. With the Mariners playing to hold onto their place on top of the ladder, however, it looks unlikely.
Gladesville Ravens v St George Saints. Peel Park, 3pm.
Locked into the bottom four, these two sides will now simply be playing for pride. Little has gone right for either side this season, but with three matches left to play, both sides will be happy to finish their season with a couple of wins and a few goals.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers v Nepean FC. Popondetta Park, 3pm.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers will be favourites for this local derby, with Nepean still in search for their first win of the season. Mt Druitt threatened to be a dark horse earlier in the campaign, but after a few crucial results went against them they dropped out of the race for the finals. Still, Mt Druitt will want to finish with two wins, and they could play a spoiler role if Bankstown City need a final round win at Jensen Park.
Southern Branch v Parramatta Ladyhawks. South Nowra Football Complex, 3pm.
When they’re on form, the Ladyhawks play some of the best football in the competition. However, inconsistency has meant that their season now hangs in the balance, and the equation for the Parramatta side is simple: win. There is no reason why they can’t beat Southern Branch, Nepean and Gladesville in their last three rounds, and if they do, they’ll put a lot of pressure on Bankstown City.
-By Joe Gorman
