Womens State League Preliminary Final Preview
We have come to the penultimate weekend of season 2014 of the Womens State League and upon us are teams with contrasting storylines and identities.
Preliminary Final
Nepean FC vs. St George FC – Popondetta Park, Sunday 3:45pm
Here we have an absolute blockbuster of a match worthy of being the preliminary final. We will finally see what is more important in football, attack or defence. With two sides suffering different fates last round, there is no doubt both will head into this weekend with absolute valour and determination to reach the grand final. The winner will face Bankstown City next week while the loser goes home.
Nepean suffered a shock 5-1 loss to a reinvigorated Bankstown City last week after Lioness striker Samantha Muscat fired four goals. For a team who boasts the league’s best defensive record the result came as a shock to the girls from the west. After conceding just twelve goals in 20 games, Nepean clearly had a bad day in the office.
They conceded in only nine of their games this season and from that only twice did they let in more than a single goal, they also had a 2-1-0 record against Bankstown. Call it what you want, but perhaps complacency finally hit ‘the Reds’ who enjoyed an eleven match winning streak prior to last week’s game.
Nepean love to play for each other and that is evident on the pitch weekly. They thoroughly enjoy each other’s company which is the catalyst for their success this season. Their back four is solid and often dictate their game plan. They have perfected the notion of building from the back and are the epitome of the term ‘team’.
They have a potent striker in Stephanie Lagudi who netted 19 goals in the regular season and is supported by Alix Waddell and Nicola Bonaventura who between them have scored 21 goals. Their midfield is their engine room and is one of the main reasons why they finished minor premiers, they always win the physical battle in the middle and are amazingly composed on the ball.
Meanwhile St George fought their way to this point. They have enjoyed a rollercoaster season in terms of form and spirit. Throughout the year, they demonstrated a brand of football that no other team in the league can replicate.
They showed that they can play anybody off the park on their day. Having said that, they also displayed some performances that disappointed their fans. They were often caught out at the back due to frustration or lack of concentration which led to conceding goals.
On the bright side, they have the most skilled and talented players in the league in their group who have often showed up and performed often getting them out of trouble. They boast the league’s best attacking record and were always in the hunt for top spot.
Though they lost eight matches this season, double any other team in the finals. They also have the worst defensive record of any side in the final four conceding 42 goals ten more than Mt Druitt and Bankstown City FC. Furthermore they also lost three of their final four matches heading into last week.
But the Saints showed their heart against Mt Druitt who were arguably the most organised team in the competition. St George showed the hunger and composure that all championship sides must have. Their back four were fantastic, kept it steady for 120 mins and had the level head to win the penalty shootouts thanks to their heroic goalkeeper.
Last time these two sides faced each other Nepean came out as winners at St George Soccer Stadium. This result, fresh on both teams minds will be motivation, for Nepean it will give them confidence since it was only days ago whereas for the Saints it will inspire them to ensure they do not suffer the same fate.
St George has not beaten Nepean this season but will hope that they will win the one that matters the most. This game will be memorable, high intensity and of course entertaining. Good luck to both sides on their quest to the GRAND FINAL.
-By Chris Doroudgar
