PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 1 Round 7 Preview

Round 7 of the PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 1 competition throws up some mouth watering clashes that can have an impact on the league standings this week. 
There are only two undefeated teams left in the competition, which has been firing in goals from all directions. 102 goals have been scored already by round 7 with the whole quota of games yet to be played.
MATCH OF THE ROUND
Macarthur Rams v Manly United @Lynwood Park, 3pm
It will be one verse two at Lynwood Park on Sunday afternoon as the Macarthur Rams welcome Manly United out West. These two are the only undefeated sides left in the league and will be looking for it to stay that way.
The home side has been on fire, scoring 19 goals in only five games. With Kylie Ledbrook leading the team’s goal scoring charts and Renee Rollason finally hitting form, the Rams look a dangerous opponent for anyone. Having dismantled an understrength Institute last week, they come into this one full of confidence. 
Over past years, United has played good football under the guidance of former coach Chris Williams without registering great results. Williams’ good friend Gwynne Berry took the helm this year and has kept the same style of play while getting the results. United are flying high in equal first place and will look to stay there with a win on Sunday afternoon.
Emerging Jets v North West Sydney Koalas @Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility, 1:30pm
In Sunday afternoon’s early kick off, the Emerging Jets tackle the North West Sydney Koalas.
The Jets have improved from round to round and are currently on a three match unbeaten run. The young team sits in seventh place, only two points away from fourth position on the ladder.
The Koalas have been slightly disappointing so far this campaign with their results. Having not won since round one, the team is coming eighth. Statistically, they’ve only conceded six goals and scored four. Their issues obviously lie in attack but it’s only a matter of time before Helen Petinos and Hannah Beard start banging them in.
Blacktown Spartans v Illawarra Stingrays @Blacktown Football Park, 3pm
At Blacktown Football Park on Sunday afternoon, the Blacktown Spartans welcome the Illawarra Stingrays.
The Spartans are finally starting to show off some of their preseason form with two straight victories. The wins have propelled them to sixth place on the ladder as they look to continue to rise.
Somehow, the Stingrays are yet to register a win this season. After letting leads slip in consecutive weeks and having to settle for draws, coach Grahame Shaw must be wandering what he has to do. The team can take many positives from their performances though, knowing they’re playing an entertaining brand of football.
Sydney University SFC v Football NSW Institute @Wilson Park, 3pm
At the beautiful Wilson Park on Sunday afternoon, Sydney University take on the Football NSW Institute.
Consistency was a key factor for Heather Garriock and her team this season. They haven’t lost since round one but have registered two draws and two wins, setting them up on a four match unbeaten run. Sitting in fifth, Uni will hope for better and with Amy Harrison back and scoring, it is a possibility.
The Institute have struggled over the past couple of rounds, rounding off the poor streak with a massive 5-0 defeat to Macarthur in the Grand Final rematch. With Princess Ibini-Isei possibly back this week, we should see the team lift in confidence.
North Shore Mariners v Central Coast @Northbridge Oval, 3:30pm
The action rounds off at Northbridge Oval in the slightly later kick off as the North Shore Mariners and Central Coast do battle.
The Mariners have been the surprise packet so far of 2015 and prop up in third place on the ladder. They suffered their first defeat of the season last week to Manly and will look to bounce back immediately to continue their charge for the Premiership.
The newly promoted Central Coast have struggled to come to terms with the higher league. Nevertheless, the team is improving with performances on the up over the last couple of weeks. They’ll be raring to go to register their first points of 2015.
– by Nikola Pozder, PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s 1 Reporter