Womens State League Finals Series Round 1 Preview
The time has come and the finals are upon us in the Women’s State League.
After 21 rounds of action it comes down to the top four teams, Nepean C, Bankstown City FC, Mt Druitt Town Rangers and St George.
Nepean FC vs. Bankstown City FC – Popondetta Park, Sunday 3:45pm
Easily the top two teams of the competition this season and worthy competitors. For Nepean their midweek win against APIA made in ten straight weeks claiming three points. This is the longest winning streak this season and they did it with absolute class. The Reds scored 39 goals and conceded just four in that spell.
Nepean’s mantra this year has been building from the back. Like all great football sides, their strength is in their core with main stayers; Adele Granata, Bridget Brien, Christine Granero, Kaitlin Harms and Paige Wilson. Their spine is strong and their cohesiveness is demonstrated on the pitch every week.
Their attack is then spread throughout the side but is highlighted by their star striker Stephanie Lagudi who has slotted 19 goals this season and will be looking for more against the Bankstown defence. Their conservative style of attack is full of venom as they take advantage of most counter attacking opportunity, a sign of a great team.
Meanwhile Bankstown City FC has had an amazing season themselves scoring a staggering 104 goals in the regular season. Their attack has looked flawless at times and will be a major threat here against Nepean.
Their core of Tania Baban, Lana Ferreira, Ashley Kirby, Liana Babic, Melissah Parlato and Samantha Muscat has been explosive going forward all season. Their style of play demonstrates finesse and confidence that no other team in the competition possesses.
They are relentless in their pursuit of victory through constant waves of attacking play and can damage you from anywhere in the park. Their striker Samantha Muscat has scored an unbelievable 53 goals so far this season but that certainly would not have been possible without the well-established team behind her.
So what’s on stake here? Well a week off and a place in the Grand-Final and the loser will have to play the winner of St George and Mt Druitt Town Rangers. Nepean has certainly been impressive in their recent run, but the team that last beat them were Bankstown. There is sure to be fireworks here so do not miss it!
Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC vs. St George FC – Saturday 3:45pm, Jensen Park
The competition’s third and fourth best teams go head to head in what will be a showdown between attack and defence. The Town Rangers have been nothing but consistent this season demonstrating impressive performances week in week out.
Unlike other teams who may have gone out to score countless goals some weeks, the Town Rangers are the side that keep things consistent and safe. This has proven to be a quite effective game plan for their management as their side have not dropped from the top half of the table all season.
With Brooke Conroy, Melanie Murray, Demi Francis and Natasha Vaccari in the heart of the action, the Town Rangers have gone about their business in a solid manner and will be a danger for any side that face them in these finals.
The Town Rangers have the ability to impose their physicality on any side and usually come out on top at the end of 90 minutes. Their talismanic goal scorer Stefanie Trovato has been in red hot form with 19 goals in just 16 games and will look to add to her tally.
They face a St George side that have played many games in a short proximity in the lead up to the finals. After playing two strong games in two days, the Saints definitely deserve their place this weekend.
The league’s best attacking team with 106 goals; Saints definitely know how to find the net. Their goals are spread throughout the field as their style of football resembles one of Barcelona on their day. Their slick passing and interchange play has been met with great delight by their fans week in week out.
Though they also have the worst defensive record of all the sides in the top four. They are often caught out in the middle of the park as sometimes lack the discipline tracking back. They are in dire need of restraint and if that aspect of their game is perfected then there is no one in the competition that can stop them.
There is much at stake here for both sides as the loser goes home. Let’s hope for a great performance and may the best team win!
Good luck to all the teams this weekend!
-By Chris Doroudgar
