PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 2 Round 7 Preview

Top spot aside, the PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 2 competition remains as unpredictable as ever as we enter Round 7.

While Marconi Stallions have opened up a seven point lead at the top already, all other sides are within four points of each other.

Clashes between Inter Lions and Sydney Olympic, Northern Tigers and Nepean FC and Southern Branch and Sutherland Shire have the potential to muddy the waters further while last placed UNSW Lions will looked to do the unthinkable by taking points off Marconi Stallions.

Inter Lions vs Sydney Olympic, 3pm Sunday 10 May at Concord Oval

Sydney Olympic’s opportunity to reboot their season comes when they travel to Concord Oval to face Inter Lions on Sunday. Starting the season with a bang – putting six unanswered goals past UNSW Lions in Round 1 – Olympic have since drawn twice and lost once in a season that so far has been broken up by washed out fixtures. Despite having played only four games to Inter Lions’ six, Olympic find themselves just two points behind their weekend opponents who occupy fourth spot. But similarly for Inter Lions, a win here would be vital, having lost two games in a row and conceding nine goals in the process.

UNSW Lions vs Marconi Stallions, 3pm Sunday 10 May at David Phillips Field

Last placed UNSW Lions will be hoping for a minor miracle when they host league leaders Marconi Stallions in Round 7. Marconi, who were relegated from the top division last year, still boast a strong squad and have yet to drop a single point in their five games so far, opening up a seven point lead at the top of the table. More ominous is the fact that this match will also pit the best attack in the league – Marconi, with 17 goals in five games – against the worst defence in the league – UNSW, who have conceded an average of 3.2 goals per game. In UNSW’s defence, six of those goals came in their first round loss to Sydney Olympic but the Lions have yet to string two good results together, winning just once and losing their other four matches.

Northern Tigers vs Nepean FC, 3pm Sunday 10 May at Mills Park

Fresh off their first win of the season, Nepean FC will be looking to make it two in two when they face third placed Northern Tigers. Despite having their match washed out last weekend, Nepean did manage to play a midweek catch up game against Sydney Olympic, winning 3-2 to lift them off the foot of the ladder. And such is the nature of the PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 2 competition, despite only having one win to their name, Nepean are just four points behind Northern Tigers. Tigers’ successes so far this season have come in high scoring games and while being the second highest scorers, they also boast the third worst defensive record, conceding a staggering three goals per game. That will have to be rectified if they are to open up a bigger lead from the chasing pack.

Southern Branch vs Sutherland Shire, 3pm Sunday 10 May at South Nowra Football Complex

Sutherland Shire will travel to Nowra full of confidence after two successive wins elevated them to second spot on the ladder. Having not won in their opening four games, the young Sutherland side put five goals past Inter Lions before following that up with a 2-0 win over UNSW Lions last week. But Southern Branch won’t make life easy for the travelling side and they too recorded a 5-1 win over Inter Lions this season. Sitting just three points behind Sutherland on the table a win here for Southern Branch will make the table even more unpredictable.

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