PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 2 Round 10 Preview
Just four points separate teams from second spot to sixth spot as the PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 2 competition enters the halfway point.
In Round 10 there will be a top of the table clash between Marconi Stallions and Sutherland Shire, although there is 13 points between the two while there will also be a match between two sides hoping to finish in the top four – Nepean FC and Sydney Olympic.
In the other two games, Southern Branch and UNSW Lions need wins over Inter Lions and Northern Tigers if they are to close the gap between the bottom teams and a top four spot.
Nepean FC vs Sydney Olympic, 3pm Sunday 31 May at Cook Park
Two wins in a row for Sydney Olympic has helped them rise to third on the ladder but a trip to Nepean FC could see the congested middle of the table change yet again. A 4-0 win over Southern Branch on Sunday means two points now separate Olympic and Nepean in sixth place and a win for either will see them move up the table. These two sides have met before, with Nepean defeating Olympic 3-2 during the middle of Olympic’s slump. That win spurred Nepean on to a three game winning streak which was ended when league leaders Marconi defeated them 5-1 in Round 9.
Sutherland Shire vs Marconi Stallions, 3pm Sunday 31 May at Harrie Denning Centre
It doesn’t feel like a top of the table clash when 13 points separate the two sides but on Sunday, first placed Marconi Stallions will travel to the Shire to take on second placed Sutherland. The reason for such a gap between the two sides is the fact that Marconi maintains a 100 per cent record this season after nine games played. The latest of their nine wins came against Nepean FC, where they won 5-1 to add further to their potent attacking record. Sutherland’s form, while not matching their opponents, is good leading into the match having won four of their last five games and they will be hoping to do better than in Round 3 where they narrowly lost 1-0 to Marconi.
Southern Branch vs Inter Lions, 3pm Sunday 31 May at South Nowra Football Complex
A win is essential for Southern Branch as the PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 2 season enters the halfway mark. Without a win in their last five games, with just one point collected in a 3-3 draw with Northern Tigers, Southern Branch sit just two points off the bottom of the table and six points off their weekend opponents Inter Lions. Inter Lions’ form was similarly dire however a 3-1 win over last placed UNSW Lions last week ended a four game winless streak which saw them fall outside the top four. Southern Branch will be without their midfielder Danielle Wise, sent off in their 4-0 loss to Sydney Olympic. Wise was involved in Southern Branch’s only win of the season, against Inter Lions, scoring in a 5-1 win.
UNSW Lions vs Northern Tigers, 3pm Sunday 31 May at David Phillips Field
It’s now or never for UNSW Lions as their chances of turning around their season and finishing in the top four reduce by the week. Entering the halfway point, UNSW have lost four games in a row, including a 6-0 loss against Sydney Olympic, and have picked up just three points. This poor form has left them eight points behind weekend opponents Northern Tigers in fourth spot. Northern Tigers will know how UNSW players feel, having themselves been stuck at the bottom for the entirety of last season but have won three times, including a 5-3 win over UNSW in Round 3, to put themselves in contention for finals football.
–By Kate Cohen, PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s 2 Reporter
