Women’s State League Round 10 Preview

We are just about half way through this season of Women’s State League football, and the competition is firing on all cylinders.
Round 10 features a number of immensely important fixtures, sure to leave a large impression on the race for first place.
Southern District Emeralds vs. Mt. Druitt Town Rangers FC – Sunday 14 June, 3PM at Ernie Smith Reserve
The Emeralds and Rangers have had disappointing 2015 campaigns, and sit well within the bottom end of the table. A strong second half of the season could feasibly push them up into finals contention, undoubtedly their optimistic long-term objective this Sunday. The Rangers have been able to score throughout the year, but have been let down by a leaky defensive unit. The Emeralds have endured a similar fate, and have only gathered a single victory. Last week, they were thoroughly dispatched by an out of form Gladesville Ravens, in perhaps the Emerald’s worst game of the season. Mt. Druitt will be favourites, despite having to travel away from home.
Bankstown City FC vs. Gladesville Ravens – Sunday 14 June, 3PM at Jensen Park
Bankstown City came into last week’s round on top of the world, and seeming unstoppable. They were brought quickly back down to earth after a big defeat to Parramatta FC. At home, against strong opposition this Sunday, City will be raring to go. The Ravens endured a slump after what was an impressive start to the season, but recovered in dramatic style with a 6-1 victory over Southern Districts in Round 9. There would be no greater statement of their title intentions than coming away from Jensen Park with three points, but it will not be easy. Bankstown’s midfield will surely dominate, but they must look out for the quick counter-attack from the Ravens, focusing on the in-form Noelle Loyzaga, who scored four goals last Sunday. Gladesville will have to keep a close eye on Samantha Muscat, but have a strong defensive pairing that will be confident in their ability to do so.
Western NSW Mariners FC vs. St. George FC – Sunday 14 June, 3PM at Proctor Park
I described St. George as this season’s “quiet achiever”, after their victory last weekend. They have played strong attacking football, spearheaded by the dangerous Georgia Koinis and Rachelle Wang. In midfield and defence, they are solid. Yet they have failed to defeat either of the top two teams this season. It is time for St. George to step up and prove their worth this weekend, against the Mariners. The Mariners have been the most consistent team all season, and with only one loss all year, will be confident of their chances this weekend. St. George have a long way to travel, but this will only make them more determined to come home with a victory. The Mariners comfortably defeated APIA Leichhardt in Round 9, to rebound from their defeat to Bankstown the week prior. However, they did not look at their best, and have more work to do if they are to overcome St. George this weekend.
APIA Leichhardt Tigers vs. Parramatta FC – Sunday 14 June, 7PM at Lambert Park
APIA’s miserable season continued last weekend, where they were no contest for the travelling Western NSW Mariners. Yet to register a single point this season, they will be given no reprieve this Sunday against a red-hot Parramatta FC. Parramatta do not look they can stop winning, in current form, and swept away first-placed Bankstown City last Sunday. They will see the Tigers as not a challenge to see if they can win, but a challenge to see how many goals they can score. A massive score-line will send a strong message to the Mariners, St. George and Bankstown above them on the table. Leichhardt, on the other hand, can only continue to train hard and have faith that eventually results will come. Their season may be a write-off, but the development of their players for future seasons is still an important task.
-by Daniel Palmer, Women’s State League Reporter