Women’s State League Round 14 Preview
Round 14 of the Women’s State League will be headlined by an important top three clash between Bankstown and St. George, as well as an important mid-table fixture between APIA Leichhardt and Mt. Druitt.
Parramatta FC vs. Gladesville Ravens – Sunday 12 July, 3PM at Melita Stadium
Parramatta deserved nothing less or more than a share of the points in their round thirteen fixture against Mt. Druitt, but will expect a victory against the Ravens this Sunday. Parramatta’s season has been marked by inconsistency, at times looking unbeatable, at other times seeming unable to score. They will be determined to address this issue in the final stretch of the season, and a home game against second last Gladesville should provide a perfect opportunity to demonstrate what they’ve got.
The Ravens’ disappointing season continued with another loss in round thirteen, albeit against the league’s top side. A run into finals contention is not impossible, but will prove a huge challenge for the Gladesville club. Nevertheless, they will be determined to find their best football as the season continues, with the knowledge that they have not been playing to their potential so far.
Western NSW Mariners FC vs. Southern District Emeralds – Sunday 12 July, 3PM at Rangers Park
On paper, this fixture could seem a write off. The Mariners are dominating first place, while Southern Districts are coming last having lost all games but one this season. Western NSW will not be complacent, looking to extend their eight point lead at the top of the table with the knowledge that St. George and Bankstown will be playing each other this weekend. Furthermore, the Emeralds will have to travel well away from home, over the mountains to Rangers Park.
Things do not look pretty for Southern Districts, to say the least. Nevertheless, they will undoubtedly set out to cause an upset – something to take away from what has been an otherwise forgettable season.
APIA Leichhardt Tigers vs. Mt. Druitt Town Rangers FC – Sunday 12 July, 7PM at Lambert Park
APIA Leichhardt saw their impressive winning streak come to an end last Sunday, drawing with Bankstown City. Nevertheless, a draw against the second best team in the competition (as far as the table is concerned) is hardly something to be disappointed in. They will be primed to return to winning ways in an important midtable encounter with Mt. Druitt this weekend, with the winner most likely finishing the round in the top four.
Mt. Druitt will feel they should have beaten Parramatta at home in round thirteen, but were unable to convert their chances despite spells of dominance. They have enjoyed a fruitful season so far, but appear to lack the cutting edge of the teams above them on the table. Entering the final third of the season, they will undoubtedly look to find their stride in attack and score more consistently.
St. George FC vs. Bankstown City FC – Sunday 12 July, 7PM at St. George Soccer Stadium
In the biggest fixture of the round, St. George will look to leapfrog Bankstown City into second place and begin to apply pressure on the Mariners atop the table. They have won three games in a row, including against the league leaders, and will feel extremely confident about their chances at home against a stuttering Bankstown City.
Bankstown have hit a rough patch in their season, winning only two of their last five games. Their draw against APIA Leichhardt in round thirteen was far from convincing. Nevertheless, Bankstown have a very strong team, evident in their position on the table, and when settled, play some of the best football in the competition. If they can collect themselves this weekend, they will prove a massive challenge for St. George, and are certainly capable of coming home with all three points.
-by Daniel Palmer, Women’s State League Reporter
