PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 1 Round 3 Preview
With rain bucketing down over the state this week, the show must go on in round three of the PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 1 competition.
So far teams have been lethal in front of goal, averaging two goals per game for the competition. Four teams sit in equal first place with two wins from two matches.
Match of the Round:
Football NSW Institute v Illawarra Stingrays @Valentine Sports Park
Second placed Football NSW Institute take on the 9th placed Illawarra Stingrays on Sunday afternoon at Valentine Sports Park.
It’s been somewhat of a surprise the way the Stingrays have started the season after a comprehensive Preseason Cup final victory. They conceded 10 goals in two games, which will have coach Graham Shaw searching for answers.
Although it’s still early days and pushing the panic button is a fair way off, the Stingrays won’t want to drop points on Sunday as it could see the Institute go nine points ahead of them leaving quite a large margin to reach.
The Institute have picked up in 2015 where they left off last season, extending their unbeaten run from last year to eight games. Ironically, the last team to defeat the Champions were the girls from the South Coast on the 31st of July, defeating them 5-1!
The Institute are a scary prospect going forward with the likes of Princess Ibini-Isei, Georgia Plessas, Panayiota Petratos and the versatile Lorena Bugden, the ‘Rays’ will need to be on full alert.
Manly United v NWS Koala’s @Cromer Park
Manly United welcome the North West Sydney Koalas to Cromer Park on Sunday in what should be a cracking match.
Manly have started the season in perfect fashion under the control of new coach Gwynne berry. Two wins from two see’s them as one of the four undefeated teams in the league and they’ll look to continue their form on Sunday.
The Koala’s started the season in the best possible way, comprehensively defeating the Stingrays down the Coast. A tight loss last week to the Institute though showed how close the top teams in the competition will be. Helen Petinos was a constant menace for the girl’s in yellow down the left and she’ll be someone they look toward to make a difference.
Macarthur Rams v Central Coast @Lynwood Park
The Central Coast travel south to take on a rejuvenated Macarthur Rams at Lynwood Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Rams are in great form and have had a fine start to the season, scoring seven goals in their first two matches. Norm Boardman’s team have the depth in the squad to make a real challenge for the title.
Midfield maestro and captain Renee Rollason is yet to score her first goal of the season, further showing the strength of the Rams squad.
The Coast have found their return to the top flight difficult and currently sit in bottom place on the ladder with 11 conceded goals in two games. The task doesn’t get easier on Sunday but they’ll be hoping to spring a surprise.
Sydney University v Emerging Jets @Sydney Olympic Park
A clash between two winless sides takes place at Sydney Olympic Park on Sunday as Sydney University take on the Emerging Jets.
Uni surprisingly went down at this venue to the North Shore Mariners in round one and came away with a draw in round two at Blacktown. Heather Garriock expects much more from her team and will be expectant of her girls to get a number 1 next to their names in the W column.
The Jets, even though losing their first two games, have been quite impressive. Wanting to play football and holding possession from the back, the experienced Rams got the better of the young side last week while they pushed Manly till the final whistle in the first match of the season.
North Shore Mariners v Blacktown Spartans @Northbridge Oval
The top of the table North Shore Mariners welcome the Blacktown Spartans to Northbridge oval on Sunday afternoon.
What a start to the season for the Mariners! Coach Larry Bates couldn’t have hoped for a better start to the campaign and they’ve made sure the competition knows they aren’t just there to make up the numbers.
In form striker Tara Andrews can’t stop scoring, picking up an amazing seven goals in two games. With Ariela Cabezas playing in behind her, it seems Bates has found quite the combination with the two.
The Spartans are yet to taste victory this year having lost to the Rams in round one and then drawing with Uni having held the lead. They are yet to find their impressive preseason form but it shouldn’t be too far away as coach Paul Constantini is confident his team will start firing soon.
– by Nikola Pozder, PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s 1 Reporter
