PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 1 Round 14 Preview

With five rounds to go in the PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 1 competition, the Macarthur Rams are moving closer to back-to-back Premierships.

Last seasons Champions, Football NSW Institute are on the verge of missing out on defending their crown, while it seems four teams will battle it out for the last two finals places.

MATCH OF THE ROUND

Manly United v Football NSW Institute @ Cromer Park

Manly United will host the Football NSW Institute at Cromer Park on Sunday afternoon.

Another draw last round for United meant that the ladder leaders extended their lead over them to six points. If Manly want to create some uncertainty and excitement in the Premiership race, they must win on Sunday.

The Institute still have a mathematical chance of having the opportunity to defend their Championship. Three points are imperative or they may have to settle for no finals football this season.

Emerging Jets v North Shore Mariners @ Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facilit

It’ll be a massive match for both sides on Sunday as the Emerging Jets welcome the North Shore Mariners.

The Jets haven’t lost in four, albeit registering three straight draws ahead of this one. With a game in hand, against the league leaders, a victory on Sunday and the catch up will throw the Jets straight back into finals contention.

Larry Bates’ girls sit in fourth position, they’d love to be there mid August and playing finals football. A massive win against the Champions last week will have given the Mariners confidence heading into the final weeks of the regular season, in what will be a sprint finish.

North West Sydney Koalas v Sydney University @ ELS Hall Park

At ELS Hall Park, the North West Sydney Koalas host Sydney University on Sunday.

The Koalas have had a disappointing season following an extremely successful preseason campaign. A loss on Sunday will all but diminish any slight hope the Koalas had of playing finals football.

Heather Garriock’s team moved into outright third place on the ladder with a confident 6-0 thrashing of Central Coast. With the experienced Rachael Soutar back, mixed possibly some of the best young talent in the league, Uni will look to peak in form at the right time.

Illawarra Stingrays v Macarthur Rams @ JJ Kelly Park

Goals, goals and more goals is what we should expect at JJ Kelly Park on Sunday as a real battle will take place between the Illawarra Stingrays and Macarthur Rams. 76 goals have been scored between the two, getting the neutral really fired up.

The Stingrays have dropped points only once since late May and are in hot form along with their weekend opponents. If the Stingrays defence shows up and Michelle Carney and Jordan Baker continue their goal scoring form, the ‘Rays’ could record an important three points in the run in for finals football.

Captain Renee Rollason knows that her team needs to keep their heads in the run in toward the Premiership. It is within touching distance and a win on a difficult away trip could put them that step closer. 

Central Coast v Blacktown Spartans @ Pluim Park

It will be quite a battle at Pluim Park on Sunday as the bottom placed Central Coast take on the Blacktown Spartans.

Even though the Coast are far from where they’d like to be on the ladder, they’re a side that will not lay down. Their fight will continue and a three points will go a long way to rewarding them for their hard work this season.

The Spartans have had to settle for draws in their last three straight outings, putting them that little bit further away from fourth place. Victory is imperative for them to ensure the gap doesn’t widen further in the closing weeks of the season.

– by Nikola Pozder, PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s 1 Reporter