Women’s State League Round 15 Preview

It’s business time in the Women’s State League, and Round 15 presents another exciting set of fixtures, including a huge top of the table clash between the Western NSW Mariners and Bankstown City. 
Western NSW Mariners FC vs. Bankstown City FC – Sunday 19 July, 3PM at Jensen Park WASHED OUT
League leaders Western NSW had a week off, with their Round 14 fixture a casualty of the weather. They will therefore have had plenty of time to prepare for this vastly important encounter with second placed Bankstown City. With seven points between the two, a Mariners victory should secure them an impregnable lead, while a win for Bankstown is vital for their premiership hopes.
Bankstown have slowed down in the second half of the season, and have registered only one victory in their past five games. They have drawn their last two fixtures in a row, indicative of their struggles in the past month. Nevertheless, they looked sharp across the pitch against St. George in Round 14 and will be determined to signal their return to form with a big victory against the Mariners.
Parramatta FC vs. Southern Districts Emeralds – Sunday 19 July, 3PM at Melita Stadium WASHED OUT
Parramatta were amongst the title contenders at the midpoint of this season, but have fallen from grace in the past two months. Their decline was dramatically highlighted in Round 14, where they were swept aside by the Gladesville Ravens 7-0. This is quite a loss to recover from, but they will be happy to have the last placed Southern District side as their follow up, at home in Melita Stadium.
Southern Districts may have been fine with their Round 14 fixture against Western NSW being washed out, giving them an extra week to recollect and target their second win of the season. They will be excited about the opportunity to prey upon a wounded animal in Parramatta, and add salt to the western Sydney side’s injuries. As the Ravens proved last Sunday, anything is possible.
Gladesville Ravens vs. Mt. Druitt Town Rangers FC – Sunday 19 July, 3PM at Peel Park
Gladesville were languishing second from last and unable to catch a break entering Round 14. They left it with renewed vigour, after a superb 7-0 demolishing of Parramatta FC which now sees them only four points short of the top four. With some swagger in their step, and at home in Peel Park, they will undoubtedly prove difficult for Mt. Druitt to handle this weekend.
Nevertheless, Mt. Druitt will be quietly confident of their chances. They have enjoyed a successful second half of the season so far, and sit within the top four. Their high-scoring draw against APIA Leichhardt in Round 14, which ended 3-3, demonstrates that they have plenty to offer going forward. They will be looking to complement this with more secure defending against the Ravens.
St. George FC vs. APIA Leichhardt Tigers – Sunday 19 July, 3PM at St. George Soccer Stadium
St. George welcomed Bankstown City to their home ground in Round 14, and will feel unlucky not to have come away with three points from a tightly contested encounter. As one of the competition’s most consistent performers, they will be determined to fend away the Tigers this Sunday and continue to apply pressure on Bankstown and Western NSW ahead of them.
The Tigers will not make things easy, however. APIA Leichhardt have been one of the competition’s best teams in the second half of the season, and have aspirations higher than their current position in fifth place. After a high scoring draw with Mt. Druitt last Sunday, the Tigers will be looking to score as freely this weekend in St. George Soccer Stadium and upset the home side.
-by Daniel Palmer, Women’s State League Reporter