PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 2 Round 4 Preview
A divide is already appearing in the table after three rounds in the PS4 NPL NSW Womens 2 competition.
An important game between top two sides Marconi Stallions and Northern Tigers tops the bill, Nepean FC, UNSW Lions and Sutherland Shire all look to get their first wins of the season against Inter Lions, Southern Branch and Sydney Olympic.
Southern Branch vs UNSW Lions, 3pm Sunday 19 April at South Nowra Football Complex
Southern Branch picked up their first win of the new season in emphatic style last week against Inter Lions, winning 5-1 thanks to four goals from Amanda Carney. After forfeiting their first round game against Marconi Stallions, the win saw Southern Branch rise above Inter Lions and into fourth spot. On the other hand, UNSW Lions’ start to the season has been quite a bit more difficult.
After a first up 6-0 defeat to Sydney Olympic, UNSW were against punished for their errors losing 5-3 to Northern Tigers. Should Carney and Southern Branch bring their shooting boots against, it could spell trouble for UNSW.
Marconi Stallions vs Northern Tigers, 3pm Sunday 19 April at Marconi Stadium
Marconi Stallions will host Northern Tigers in an early top of the table clash. Both sides are undefeated – Marconi with three wins and Tigers with two wins and a draw – and have looked dangerous in front of goal with Tigers putting five goals past strugglers UNSW Lions last week and Marconi scoring five against Nepean FC in Round 2.
The main question for Tigers going into this match is whether they can plug their leaky defence. Despite winning their last two games, the Ku-ring-gai team conceded five goals, adding to the three they conceded in their opening round draw with Inter Lions.
Sutherland Shire vs Sydney Olympic, 3pm Sunday 19 April at Harrie Denning Centre
With the Easter break and a washed out Round 3 game, it has been a while since Sydney Olympic have taken the field in a competitive match but the Belmore-based side will be hoping to get back underway positively when they travel to Sutherland. Sutherland are without a win this season and sit on one point after their first round draw against the promoted Nepean FC.
However Sutherland are coming off a positive display against title favourites Marconi Stallions, where they held the star-studded side to a 1-0 result.
Nepean FC vs Inter Lions, 3pm Sunday 12 April at Cook Park
It’s been a while to wait for Nepean FC as they look to redeem themselves after a 5-2 loss to Marconi Stallions. With the Easter break and a washed out game last week, Nepean will be hoping their chance comes against Inter Lions. Inter, too, are in a position from which they are hoping to bounce back, having lost 5-1 to Southern Branch last week.
Unlike Nepean, Inter have a win on the board. A second win will help them keep pace with the top teams, a loss will see them fall below Nepean.
–By Kate Cohen, PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s 2 Reporter
