PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 1 Round 8 Preview

What a start to the PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 1 competition!

After seven played rounds we have three teams tied in at first place with only one point separating fourth to seventh on the ladder.
The Macarthur Rams, North Shore Mariners and Manly United are leading the charge toward the Premiership with Champions Football NSW Institute In seventh place, only five points behind.
MATCH OF THE ROUND
North West Sydney Koalas v Central Coast @ELS Hall Park
At ELS Hall Park on Sunday afternoon, the North West Sydney Koalas welcome Central Coast.
It’ll be a battle of two struggling sides who will both be desperate to register three points.
The Koalas have been largely disappointing so far this campaign after making the final of the Preseason Cup and showing great promise. They haven’t won since round one but have the ability in their squad to beat any team in the competition. They’ll look to get their season rolling on Sunday and start gaining ground on the leading teams.
The Coast knew that this season wouldn’t be an easy one after gaining promotion into the top tier. The girls are yet to register a point this season but have shown great fight and some joy shouldn’t be too far away for them.
Blacktown Spartans v Football NSW Institute @Blacktown Football Park
It’s 5v7 on Sunday afternoon at Blacktown Football Park as the Blacktown Spartans welcome the Football NSW Institute.
A match between two sides on either side of the form table. The Spartans have forgotten what defeat feels like, winning three matches on the trot. The Champions on the other side haven’t won in four and have dropped down to seventh place on the ladder.
It seems as though things are starting to fall into place for the Spartans after a slight slow start to their campaign. They are starting to find their scoring boots with 10 goals in three games, keeping two clean sheets in the same time.
The Institute have been struggling with numbers in recent weeks but the return of Princess Ibini-Isei last weekend saw a vastly improved performance from the young squad. They’ll look to get back into winning ways as soon as they can.
Manly United v Sydney University @Cromer Park
A massive game takes place at Cromer Park between Manly United and Sydney University.
United couldn’t have hoped for a better start to the season, sitting on top of the league and yet to taste defeat. With Kristie Crawford in good goal scoring form, United will look to continue improving in order to push on their charge for the Premiership.
It will be a real test for Heather Garriock’s in form team who haven’t lost since the first game of the season. If the team wants to play finals and challenge for the Premiership, this is a game where they need to put their foot down and get the result.
Macarthur Rams v North Shore Mariners @Lynwood Park
Lynwood Park hosts the clash between top of the table sides Macarthur Rams and North Shore Mariners.
The Rams have been their dominant selves in the women’s top tier in this tight 2015 season. One of only two teams yet to lose this season the Rams will look to move out on top on their own with victory here. Kate Hensman and Kylie Ledbrook have found the net at will this season and the Rams will look to them to spear head their attacks.
The Mariners continue to defy the odds and keep pace with the leaders of the competition. They aren’t known as the surprise packet anymore with  their continued good results. It will be a real test of their worth this weekend as they take on one of their co-pace setters of the competition.
Illawarra Stingrays v Emerging Jets @WIN Stadium
Sunday will be a special day for the Illawarra Stingrays as they take their match against the Emerging Jets to WIN Stadium.
Can the Stingrays pick up their first three points of the campaign? Victory has eluded them since the Preseason Cup win. They have been extremely unlucky throughout the campaign, letting various leads slip. They need captain Michelle Carney to step up and lead the team to their first win of the season before the gap gets to big.
New to the competition, the Jets found it tough at the start of the campaign.  The young side now moves to four games without defeat, coming into sixth place on the ladder. A win here would mean big things for the travelling Jets side.
– by Nikola Pozder, PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s 1 Reporter