NPL NSW Women’s 1 Preseason Cup Preview

The boots are finally out of the bag as the PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 1 Preseason Cup kicks off this weekend.
It has been a long wait between drinks for the states premier women’s teams as they get shake off the cobwebs in Round 1 of the cup.
The competing teams will be split into two pools of five teams where each team plays an opponent from their group once. The first placed team from each pool then moves on into the grand final to be played in the last week of March.
POOL 1 –
Macarthur Rams vs Blacktown Spartans @Lynwood Park
At Lynwood Park on Sunday afternoon, the Macarthur Rams will host the Blacktown Spartans.
Last years Premiers and Grand Finalists, the Rams, head into the season with a new coach as Norm Boardman takes the reigns from Stephen Neligan. The Cup would be a great way for Boardman to get his team rolling into the new season.
The Spartans must improve on their last year’s league standing where they finished on the bottom of the ladder. A good run in the cup could be a real confidence booster to the team.
Football NSW Institute vs North Shore Mariners @Wilson Park
Wilson Park will be the venue on Sunday afternoon as the Football NSW Institute welcome the North Shore Mariners.
The Champions are back and will not be a dark horse this season. The young, free flowing team will be stronger for experience and confidence after last years grand final victory.
North Shore Mariners, formerly known as Northbridge FC, made a strong start to the season last season but fell off the pace toward the end.
Illawarra Stingrays BYE
POOL 2 –
North West Sydney Koalas vs Emerging Jets
At Campbell Field on Sunday afternoon, the North West Sydney Koalas take on the Emerging Jets.
The Koalas had a good season last year finishing in second place on the ladder. They later fell at the final hurdle before the final, losing to the eventual champions, the Institute.
New girls of the competition, the Emerging Jets, are an unknown to the rest of the teams. It will be interesting to see how they rough up against their opponents come Sunday.
Sydney University vs Central Coast
Sydney University will take their home game to Pluim Park on Sunday as they take on Central Coast.
University finished in fourth spot, taking the last place for finals football last year. They lost their first game to the Institute but showed they have what it takes to be a force this coming season.
The Coast make their way back up into Women’s 1 following their promotion. The cup will give them an opportunity to see where they’re at as opposed to the other teams in the competition.
Manly United BYE
-By Nikola Pozder