Women’s State League Round 13 Preview
Round 13 of the Women’s State League sees Mt. Druitt, Parramatta and APIA Leichhardt fight for a spot in the top four, while Bankstown and St. George continue to chase the Western NSW Mariners ahead of the pack.
Southern Districts Emeralds vs. St. George FC – Sunday 5 July, 3PM at Ernie Smith Reserve
Southern Districts haven’t won a game since round five, and appear a class below the rest of the competition this season. In last place, they are eight points behind the Ravens ahead of them. Nevertheless, in such a rough patch of form, every week presents the opportunity for fortunes to be reversed. Last weekend, the Emeralds lost only narrowly to the in form APIA Leichhardt Tigers in a performance that showed great improvement. They will be looking to build on that display this Sunday.
St. George have performed consistently throughout the season, and will be satisfied with nothing less than three points this weekend. They were made to work last Sunday against the Ravens, but emerged victorious in an exciting 3-2 fixture. They now sit three points ahead of fourth placed Mt. Druitt, with two games in hand. They will be looking to continue to score freely this weekend, but address a defence which has conceded seven goals in their last two games.
Gladesville Ravens vs. Western NSW Mariners FC – Sunday 5 July, 3PM at Peel Park
Gladesville have had a frustrating season, and will feel they have underperformed relative to the potential of their squad. There is still time to turn things around this season, but such a moment will be difficult to forge against an extremely strong Western NSW Mariners.
The Mariners claimed a six point lead at the top of the table with their 2-0 victory against Parramatta FC on the weekend and will be determined not to let anything past them against the Ravens. Having scored the most and conceded the least goals out of any in the competition, they have well earned their first place and will prove an immense challenge for the home team.
Mt. Druitt Town Rangers FC vs. Parramatta FC – Sunday 5 July, 3PM at Popondetta Park
Mt. Druitt have turned a corner in the last month and have surged confidently into the top four. This run culminated in a 2-1 victory against second placed Bankstown City on Sunday, which took them ahead of Parramatta on the table. Their performance was full of grit and determination, accompanied by a potent attacking unit. However, they continue to leak goals throughout this season and will need to work on this as they enter the final stretch.
Parramatta’s season has been an interesting contrast to the Rangers’. They enjoyed a dominant midseason run but have hit a speed bump in the past month. They’ve now lost three of their last four games and have slipped into fifth place. In an extremely important fixture against Mt. Druitt, Parramatta will look to regain their previous mojo and take an important three points away from Popondetta Park.
APIA Leichhardt Tigers vs. Bankstown City FC – Sunday 5 July, 6:45PM at Lambert Park
APIA Leichhardt are the league’s in form team, having pulled themselves off the bottom of the table and into the top six. They have won four games in a row, and though facing one of the league’s best sides this Sunday, will have no doubts in their ability to make it five. They were not entirely convincing in their round twelve fixture against Southern Districts but, as is the sign of a good team, were still able to come away with three points. Another win this week could seem them move as high as fourth place, which would be an incredible achievement.
Bankstown City have occupied second place for most of the season, and now see Western NSW start to pull away from them at the top of the table. Their loss at Jensen Park to Mt. Druitt on Sunday will have been incredibly disappointing, and they will be nervous about their chances against the red hot Tigers. Nevertheless, they have proven their incredible quality many times this season, and will be confident that if they play at their best, the result shall follow.
-by Daniel Palmer, Women’s State League Reporter
