NPL NSW Women’s 2 Round 2 Preview

Round 2 of the NPL NSW Women’s 2 kicks off this weekend with four interesting clashes taking place in Sydney’s Inner West, the Eastern Suburbs, Central Coast and the South Coast.

Inter Lions SC vs Sutherland Shire FA; Concord Oval, Sunday 3pm

Inter Lions will kick off their season against Sutherland Shire FA at Concord Oval on Sunday. Inter’s round one fixture against Sydney Olympic fell victim to Sydney’s rainy weather so they will be hopeful to finally get their campaign under way.

Sutherland Shire was able to play their round one match but fell 3-1 to Central Coast Mariners Academy. Sutherland struggled to deal with Central Coast’s pace in behind but had bright moments of their own and will be looking to secure their first win of the season.

UNSW Lions vs Northern Tigers; David Phillips Field, Sunday 3pm

2013 Women’s State League champions UNSW Lions will start their season at home against Northern Tigers. Lions had a lethal attack last season, averaging of 2.6 goals per game and will be looking to cause problems for the Northern Tigers’ defence.

Tigers got their season underway last week with a disappointing 6-0 to Southern Branch. It was a difficult introduction to NPL NSW Women’s 2 for the side that dropped down as part of the restructure and they will be looking to bounce back with a competitive display in Round Two.

Central Coast Mariners Academy vs Western NSW Mariners; Pluim Park, Sunday 3pm

Round Two sees the battle of the two Mariners sides – Central Coast and Western NSW – take place at Pluim Park. Western NSW’s highly anticipated Grand Final rematch (against UNSW Lions) was the other game which was postponed due to the rain, so this will be their first official outing of the season.

Central Coast on the other hand have already played and won. They can be thankful to Jayme Fressard for her role in their Round One win over Sutherland. She scored a hat trick and was a constant menace in the match which ended 3-1. Central Coast’s pacey forward line will need to be on song if they want to make it two wins in two.

Southern Branch FC vs Sydney Olympic FC; South Nowra Football Complex, Sunday 3pm

Off the back of their 6-0 rout of Northern Tigers, Southern Branch FC travel back to Nowra to take on Sydney Olympic in Round Two. Two goals from Madison Cornell, a hat trick from Madeline Costanzo and an additional goal from Samantha Cornell guaranteed Southern Branch the comfortable three points and they will be looking to use that firepower again against Sydney Olympic.

This will be Sydney Olympic’s first match of the new season, after their Round One game against Inter Lions was washed out. After the long drive south, the players will have to shake off the off-season rust quickly to ensure they get off to the best possible start to their season.

-By Kate Cohen