NPL NSW Womens 2 Round 6 Preview
Round five’s results did little to sort out the cluster of clubs in the middle of the table.
Whilst the competition is bookended by Central Coast Mariners Academy at the top and Northern Tigers at the bottom, the rest of the competition is close together.
Southern Branch FC vs Inter Lions SC; at South Nowra Football Complex, Sunday 3pm
With the ladder so congested from second to seventh, only have goal difference separates Southern Branch FC and Inter Lions SC before they meet on Sunday. Southern Branch have scored 16 goals, 10 more goals than Inter Lions, and, incredibly, six of those came against run-away league leaders Central Coast Mariners Academy. In a result no one could have predicted, the Nowra-based side defeated Central Coast 6-2. They will be hoping to continue that form against Inter Lions, who have proven to have a solid defence. That was shown last week when they were able to keep a clean sheet and prevent UNSW Lions from creating clear cut chances in a 1-0 win.
Sutherland Shire FA vs UNSW Lions; at Harrie Denning Centre, Sunday 3pm
The clash between Sutherland Shire and UNSW Lions is another important match between two sides who are amongst the cluster of teams from second to seventh. Sutherland, in seventh on six points, sit only one point outside the top four and if they are able to pick up three points, and other results go their way, they have a chance to leapfrog other teams. But they are coming off the back of a difficult 5-2 loss to Sydney Olympic and will need to bounce back strongly to move up the ladder.
UNSW Lions have had an unexpectedly poor start to the season. Last season’s Champions, UNSW lost to Inter Lions 1-0 last week, their second loss of the season. They too will need to bounce back with a good performance and result and will be hoping to create more chances than they did against the defensively solid Inter Lions.
Northern Tigers vs Central Coast Mariners Academy; at Charlie Bean Sportsground, Sunday 3pm
Sunday sees a first vs last clash between Northern Tigers and Central Coast Mariners Academy. Tigers, who have only scored one goal in five games, are currently in last place and have not picked up a single point so far this season. Last week they faced Western NSW Mariners and fell to a second half goal.
This week they will face the league leaders Central Coast Mariners Academy. Central Coast had had a perfect start to the season, winning four from four, but they were shocked by a young and attacking Southern Branch side who managed to score six goals in a 6-2 thumping. Central Coast Mariners Academy will be looking to bounce back in emphatic fashion this week.
Western NSW Mariners vs Sydney Olympic FC; at Proctor Park, Sunday 3pm
Western NSW Mariners have been able to get their season into gear, winning two matches in a row to take them into second place. Last season’s Grand Final runners up, Western NSW scrapped past lowly Northern Tigers with a second half goal. But the win was enough to take them within four points of run-away leaders Central Coast Mariners Academy. Western NSW will be hoping to make it three wins in three when they face Sydney Olympic this week. Olympic defeated Sutherland Shire FA 5-2 last week with goals from Dani Calvi and Kate Halaska.
-By Kate Cohen
