Women’s State League Round 16 Preview

Round 16 of the Women’s State League sees the competition enter the final quarter of the season. Every performance is important from here on in, as teams look to prepare themselves for the finals series.
Southern Districts SFA vs. Gladesville Ravens – Sunday 26 July, 3PM at Ernie Smith Reserve
Last placed Southern Districts have had their last two fixtures washed out, and will be eager to return to the football pitch this Sunday, as the embattled squad look for their second win of the season. They will be quietly optimistic about their chances against the second last Gladesville Ravens.
Nevertheless, the last time the Ravens played football, they came away with a massive 7-0 victory against Parramatta. Their round fifteen fixture was rather inopportunely washed out, but the Gladesville side will be determined to continue their resurgence in form despite the forced break.
Western NSW Mariners FC vs. APIA Leichhardt Tigers – Sunday 26 July, 3PM at Glen Willow Stadium
First placed Western NSW Mariners are cruising to the finish line this season, but, this weekend, will have to face perhaps the one team in better form. The Tigers haven’t lost since round nine (to the Mariners, that being said), and showed great character to beat St. George away from home last weekend.
This fixture promises to be a tight clash, likely to be determined by who can take their chances with most proficiency. With the weather making travel over the mountains difficult for Western NSW, they have not played their last two rounds and could prove rusty in front of goal. Meanwhile, APIA Leichhardt have scored three goals in each of their last two fixtures and look confident going forward. An upset could be on the cards.
Bankstown City FC vs. Parramatta FC – Sunday 26 July, 3PM at Jensen Park
Both of these clubs have proved painfully inconsistent in the second half of this season, despite being lethal when playing at their best. Bankstown have endured a slump which sees Western NSW run away with first place on the ladder. Meanwhile, Parramatta have slid all the way to sixth place despite being on the back of Bankstown only a month ago.
Both teams will be looking to reignite their season this weekend, in the stretch towards the finals series. Expect some entertaining, attacking football from both sides.
Mt. Druitt Town Rangers FC vs. St. George FC – Sunday 26 July, 3PM at Popondetta Park
Mt. Druitt have been the surprise package of the second half of the season, and a win this weekend would establish them as real contenders in the final quarter of the season. One of the league’s in-form teams, they nevertheless will be disappointed to have drawn their last two fixtures, and keen to return to winning ways this Sunday.
St. George have enjoyed a relatively successful season, but have squandered the opportunity to take their season to the next level on multiple occasions. For this reason, they have seemingly peaked at third place. They will be very upset with their loss to APIA Leichhardt in round fifteen, which was undoubtedly a wake up call. They dominated large passages of play, but were frustrated by good defending and goalkeeping, eventually losing the mental side of the game. A big win away from home will be seen as a priority this weekend.
-by Daniel Palmer, Women’s State League Reporter