Women’s State League Round 20 Preview
The penultimate round of Women’s State League football could see the Western NSW Mariners FC claim the Premiership, if they can overcome the travelling Gladesville Ravens.
Meanwhile, the APIA Leichhardt Tigers and the Mt. Druitt town Rangers FC will have to work hard to keep their Finals hopes alive.
Bankstown City FC vs. APIA Leichhardt Tigers – Sunday 23 August, 3PM at Jensen Park
Second placed Bankstown City FC are barely holding on to Premiership hopes, and their main focus this weekend will undoubtedly be building on their form into the Finals.
In Round 19, they escaped with a tight 1-0 victory against the Mt. Druitt Town Rangers FC. It was hardly the most convincing of victories, but they will be pleased to have kept a clean sheet away from home.
APIA Leichhardt are chasing a spot in the Finals, trailing the Ravens in fourth place by only three points. A win this weekend could potentially level them, though APIA Leichhardt’s goal difference is significantly worse.
Nevertheless, the Tigers have much more to play for in this weekend’s fixture and have a strong chance of coming away from Jensen Park with a victory against the odds.
Parramatta FC vs. Mt. Druitt Town Rangers FC – Sunday 23 August, 3PM at Melita Stadium
Parramatta FC have endured a difficult, injury-plagued second half of the season, and mathematically, are now out of Finals contention with only pride to play for.
Last week, they lost by the same 4-1 scoreline to both the first and last placed side, somewhat symbolic of their inconsistent season. They became the first team since APIA Leichhardt in Round 5 to lose to Southern Districts.
Mt. Druitt Town have had much better fortunes over the past couple of months, though have now lost their last two games in a row. They are four points outside of the top four, and will have to have some luck if they’re to overcome APIA Leichhardt and Gladesville ahead of them.
With everything to play for, Mt. Druitt will be looking to be at their best this Sunday and pile on Parramatta’s misery.
Western NSW Mariners FC vs. Gladesville Ravens – Sunday 23 August, 3PM at Proctor Park
The Western NSW Mariners FC have one hand on the Premiership, as they continue to stretch their lead at the top of the ladder. A win this weekend will seal it.
In Round 19, they cruised to a 4-1 victory over Parramatta. In Round 20, they will be challenged by a team in just as good form as themselves.
The Ravens have won their past five games in a row, making fourth place their own. They claimed some impressive scalps on the way, including second placed Bankstown City and third placed St. George.
First placed Western NSW, away from home, will be a whole new challenge. A loss could allow APIA Leichhardt to level on points, so the Ravens will be determined to at least emerge from their journey across the mountains with a draw.
St. George FC vs. Southern Districts SFA – Sunday 23 August, 3PM at St. George Soccer Stadium
St. George will be disappointed with their defeat to Gladesville on Sunday, where they will feel they deserved more from a game where they turned around from a two goal deficit. Nevertheless, they still command a comfortable hold on third place and a spot in the Finals.
Southern Districts remain at the bottom of the table, but will be spurred on by their midweek victory against Parramatta, despite their loss against APIA Leichhardt on the weekend. They will be optimistic about their chances of pulling off an upset this weekend.
St. George will be determined to score freely and build momenum into the upcoming Finals. Concerns surround their top scorer, Georgia Koinis, who was forced off the field with injury in Round 19.
-by Daniel Palmer, Women’s State League Reporter
