PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 2 Round 5 Preview

It’s been a wet week in NSW ahead of Round 5 of the PS4 NPL NSW Womens 2 competition but games are scheduled to go ahead on Sunday after Anzac Day.

Last season’s runners up, Sydney Olympic, will be hoping to get back to winning ways against league leaders Marconi, UNSW Lions will try to follow up last week’s win with another over Nepean FC, Southern Branch will be looking to get back into the top four when they face Northern Tigers and Sutherland Shire will be searching for their first win of the season when they travel to Inter Lions.

Northern Tigers vs Southern Branch, 3pm Sunday 26 April at Charlie Bean Sportsground

Northern Tigers rallied late but it wasn’t enough as they were well beaten 4-2 by Marconi Stallions in a top two clash last week. The loss has brought them back down towards the teams aiming for fourth spot, one of which is Southern Branch. In fifth place, Southern Branch disappointingly lost 2-1 to UNSW Lions last week and, after their first round forfeit against Marconi Stallions, they sit on four points from four games. Southern will be hoping to return to their goalscoring ways, having put five past Inter Lions in Round 3 and will be confident of goals against a Tigers side that clearly has defensive issues – conceding an average of three goals a game despite their lofty early season position.

Inter Lions vs Sutherland Shire, 3pm Sunday 26 April at Concord Oval

Inter Lions got back to winning ways last week, recovering from a 5-1 loss to Southern Branch to beat Nepean FC 2-1. Having already played and defeated two of the bottom three teams, Inter will face Sutherland Shire this week who sit in seventh place without a win. Inter’s relatively kind draw gives Inter the opportunity to consolidate a top four spot however their scratchy form – drawing with Northern Tigers and losing to Southern Branch – gives Sutherland Shire hope of taking points from this match. Sutherland followed up a tight loss to Marconi Stallions with a solid draw with Sydney Olympic, both of which point towards a first win of the season being just around the corner.

UNSW Lions vs Nepean FC, 3pm Sunday 26 April at David Phillips Field

UNSW Lions’ lofty desires to play a new style of play came crashing down to earth after conceding 13 goals in their opening three games. Sitting at the bottom of the ladder and facing a side flying after coming off a 5-1 win, the signs looked bad for UNSW last week. But things clicked for the Lions when they picked up their first win of the season, defeating Southern Branch 2-1. Now, having risen to sixth spot, UNSW will be looking for consecutive wins when they host Nepean FC. Promoted Nepean now call last place their own and will be hoping for a win of their own to boost confidence.

Sydney Olympic vs Marconi Stallions, 3pm Sunday 26 April at Peter Moore Park

Last season’s runners up Sydney Olympic have had a mixed start to the season. Racing out of the blocks, Olympic won their first round game 6-0 but have fallen back to fourth spot after draws to Southern Branch and Sutherland Shire and having a washed out match against Nepean FC. That sees them already seven points behind league leaders Marconi Stallions who defeated second place Northern Tigers 4-2 last week. A win is a must for Olympic if they have any hopes of going one better than last season and to also prevent Marconi from opening up an unsurmountable lead just as Central Coast did last season.

–By Kate Cohen, PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s 2 Reporter