Round 2 Preview – PS4 NPL 2 NSW Women’s
Round 2 of the Playstation® 4 National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Women’s 2016 is upon us. There was some excellent football played in the opening weekend, and this looks to continue that trend with some intriguing match ups taking shape already.
The Mariners host Olympic in Gosford, Inter Lions travel to Asquith to face Northern Tigers, Southern Branch have their second home match in a row against Sutherland, and Nepean are the first side to visit Bankstown City this season.
Central Coast Mariners FC vs Sydney Olympic FC, 2pm Sunday 10th of April at Pluim Park NO.3
The Mariners toiled hard against Inter in their opening match of the season for no result, so they’ll be working overtime to pick up the three points at home this weekend. They played some good football at times against the Lions but keeping up that intensity for 90 minutes will be the key here.
Olympic will want to build on that important victory against Sutherland from the opening round. They won’t take the Mariners lightly at all, and Olympic will certainly feel they can inflict a similar result up in Gosford to make it two from two to start the season.
Northern Tigers FC vs InterLions SC, 3pm Sunday 10th of April at Mills Park
Conceding so late in round one was a tough one to take for the Tigers, so expect them to push even harder for that first win this weekend at Mills Park. They’re defence staying tight for the full 90 is the key to winning this match as an open game will play into the hands of the Lions as they look to exploit space.
Inter were very impressive in their 3-0 win over the Mariners, particularly in how they created chances in the final third. It will be encouraging for the Lions to see the way they performed in the first half without Maria Kalogeropoulos, as they relied on her too heavily last year. They are no doubt a better side with her on the park, but now that they have extra weapons to compliment her skill set they pose a far greater attacking threat.
Southern Branch FC vs Sutherland Shire FA, 3pm Sunday 10th of April at South Nowra Football Complex
Another big game early in the season for Sutherland as they take on Southern Branch down in Nowra. They’ve taken on the other sides from last season’s finals in the opening rounds, so three points here could put them in a good position to capitalise on a slightly easier draw in the coming weeks.
Southern Branch showed they still have that same goal scoring prowess in them from last season, but can they continue that against Sutherland? This will be a much sterner test than they faced against Bankstown last week.
Bankstown City FC vs Nepean FC, 3pm Sunday 10th of April at The Crest Athletic Centre
Bankstown host Nepean in their first home game since promotion, and will be searching for that winning feeling to get their season up and running. The hosts will be looking to the talents of Samantha Muscat to break through Nepean and provide the goals they sorely need if they are to make an impression on this competition at the first time of asking.
To do that though, Muscat will have to get past Nepean’s mean defence, led by Desiree Vassallo and Hollie Wilson. Strikers have to earn their goals up against the side from St Marys, so expect this battle to be a decisive factor in the outcome. Nepean are nothing if not relentless, and their intensity should push Bankstown all the way. It’s just a matter of taking their chances when they arise.
By Eamonn Warner, PS4 National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Women’s Reporter
