PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 1 Round 16 Preview
With only three rounds remaining, the PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 1 competition fight for finals spots really hots up.
With only one side guaranteed finals football, six teams will battle it out for the remaining three spots.
MATCH OF THE ROUND
Macarthur Rams v Manly United @Lynwood Park
It’s first place verse third on Sunday afternoon at Lynwood Park as the Macarthur Rams welcome Manly United
It will be curtains on the Premiership race if Macarthur wins on Sunday, creating an unassailable lead. If the visitors take the spoils it will throw the race wide open with only a couple games remaining.
The Rams bounced back last week with a dominant 6-0 victory following a loss the previous week. Returnee Leena Khamis will add another dimension to the already strong Rams line-up.
United finally picked up a win after three straight matches without victory. They defeated local rivals North Shore and have practically assured their place in the finals. Three points could open the avenue to something more and Gwynne Berry’s will be keen to take the win.
Illawarra Stingrays v Blacktown Spartans @JJ Kelly Park
A direct clash for a finals place see’s the Illawarra Stingrays entertain the Blacktown Spartans.
The Stingrays were on a fantastic seven match undefeated run before they were brought back down by Uni last week. Three points will almost see a definite spot for the South Coast side in the finals series, while a loss will see them drop out of the top four.
For the Spartans it has been a late gallop and they’re currently undefeated in five. Their last two performances were convincing and come into this one full of confidence. Victory will see them move into the top four while a loss could spell the end of their finals hopes.
Central Coast v North Shore Mariners @Pluim Park
At Pluim Park on Sunday, bottom placed Central Coast will host the North Shore Mariners.
What will seem like a routine win for the Mariners will be anything but. The coast won’t lie down and will give all they have in the remaining matches in the states top tier competition.
The Coast still only have the one victory of the season but will look to get more than that in the finals rounds.
For Larry Bates and the Mariners, only three points in acceptable because anything other than that could spell the end of their finals hopes.
Football NSW Institute v Sydney University @Valentine Sports Park
At Valentine Sports Park, the Football NSW Institute take on the highflying Sydney University.
Missing players through the Young Matilda’s camp was evident for the Institute over the weekend as they were hit for six by the Macarthur Rams. The young side has immense quality and can prove to be a banana skin for any side in the competition. Even though they can’t make finals, they will not stop playing their attractive style of football.
Sydney Uni possibly played the best first half of any side last weekend against the Stingrays. They’ve hit form at the right time and player/coach Heather Garriock can be quietly confident with her team. If results go their way, anything can happen in the closing weeks of the competition so they’ll be eager to get three points.
North West Sydney Koalas v Emerging Jets @ELS Hall Park
On Thursday night, the North West Sydney Koalas welcome the Emerging Jets to ELS Hall Park.
The Koalas will use the final matches of the season as the start of their preparations for next season. They can’t make the finals so it is all about rebuilding for them.
The young Jets have been this season surprise packets and have physically thrown themselves right into the mix for finals football. A loss will end their charge whereas a victory will further hot up the battle for the last places up for grabs.
– by Nikola Pozder, PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s 1 Reporter
