Womens State League Round 20 Preview
With last week’s anticipated round washed out teams around the Women’s State League will be looking to Round 20 to consolidate their position and get ready for the finals.
Crowds will be exposed to some crucial games highlighted by St George and Nepean FC.
APIA Leichhardt Tigers vs. Bankstown City FC – Jensen Park, 1 PM
Its the battle of the CATS! The Tigers currently sit second from the bottom and are 14 points off sixth place. With that in mind pride is something perhaps more important than their position on the table for the girls from Leichhardt. With eighteen games played they have three games to ensure that they avoid the wooden spoon and with the spirit they show week in week out the Tiger faithful will hope they achieve that.
The girls from Bankstown would have been very disappointed with last week’s wash out. An opportunity to bag some goals and build confidence is upon them this weekend. With the league’s leading goal scorer Samantha Muscat already netting an amazing 43 goals so far this season there is no doubt that she will look to add to that tally this weekend. Meanwhile Tania Baban and Melissah Parlato who have a combined tally of24 goals will also look to this game to build some confidence for the finals.
Gladesville Ravens vs. Parramatta Lady Hawks – Peel Park, 3 PM
At times, the Ravens showed this season that they are capable of defeating anybody. With fluid attacking play and a tight back four, the girls from Gladesville can look back and know that they have something solid to build on for next year. With their management staff in hand along with eleven of their players playing more than 13 games this campaign, there is no doubt that this team will be a force next year. A few great results to end the year will put them in great position.
Meanwhile the Lady Hawks have been hapless at times succumbing to defensive problems, lack of flair and injuries this season. Although for Parramatta, not all looks glum as Penelope Nash, Angela Francis, Ellie Taylor and Courtney Halpin have all showed their commitment by playing most games this season despite the results. With the spirit showed by these girls, the club has something to build on for next year.
St George FC vs. Nepean FC – St George Soccer Stadium, 3 PM
In arguably this weekend’s match of the round, these two teams are in a position of consolidation ahead of the finals. St George boast the league’s best attacking record scoring ten more goals than second placed Bankstown City FC though see themselves sitting in fourth. Mathematically there is still a chance for them to slip out of the finals but a point here will ensure their place. Saints leading goal scorer Melissa Toumbelekis will look to add to her 30-goal tally this weekend and get some momentum for the finals,
Meanwhile high-flying Nepean FC are currently the team to beat. With three games to go and six points ahead of second-placed Bankstown City, nothing short of an uncharacteristic collapse will earn them the minor premiership. Currently on an nine-game winning streak it seem there is no stopping the Reds.
Southern Districts Emeralds vs. Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC – Stanwell Oval, 3 PM
Some will argue that Southern Districts will be very unlucky to miss out on a place in the finals. Trailing fourth-placed St George by eight points and with three games to go the equation is simple for the Emeralds; win every game and for the Saints to lose their remaining games. They have been unpredictable all season sometimes producing amazing performances while other times looking lacklustre. With their season on the line the Emerald faithful will be hoping for a good showing this weekend.
The Town Rangers currently sit third on the ladder with two points separating them from second place and the team below them. They have been a consistent performer all season and will look to this weekend to put pressure on Bankstown City’s second-place position.
-By Chris Doroudgar
