Round 3 Preview – PS4 NPL 2 NSW Women’s
Round 3 of the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Women’s 2016 could leave the new clubs trailing in the wake of the top 6, while the leaders could already pull away to a big lead at the peak of the table.
The Mariners will be desperate for their first points of the season when they travel to Nowra, Nepean look to send a message against Sutherland, the Tigers are after their goals scoring form against Bankstown, and Olympic look to maintain their perfect record when they host Inter.
Southern Branch FC v Central Coast Mariners FC, Sunday 17th of April 2pm kick off at South Nowra Football Complex
Next up for the Mariners is a difficult away trip to Nowra to take on Southern Branch. They’ve conceded goals freely in the opening 2 rounds and a leaky defensive performance this weekend will likely see them on the end of a second substantial defeat in two weeks. They’ve shown signs that goals are in their game, but they’ll be of little use if they open themselves up at the back.
Southern Branch will want to start this one strong and immediately place themselves in the ascendancy, especially at home. The pace they possess out wide in Samara Wehmeyer is troubling for any side in the league and could cause some significant damage against the Mariners.
Nepean FC v Sutherland Shire FA, 3pm Sunday 17th of April at Cook Park
Nepean were excellent against Bankstown on the weekend and will need to maintain that level to collect the same result against Sutherland. They looked dangerous every time they went forward against Bankstown this past week, with Jessica Elliot pulling the strings and setting Lauren Connell away repeatedly.
Sutherland have proved adept at breaking down tight defences in the past, and so it will need to be this weekend. Rochelle Borromeo will again prove to be the key playmaker for Sutherland here, but if the home side can shut her down they will be well on their way to collecting the points.
Northern Tigers FC v Bankstown City FC, 3pm Sunday 17th of April at Mills Park
The Tigers have produced two solid, if not spectacular performances in the opening rounds of the competition. They need to get a win here against the promoted side if they want other teams in the league to consider them a threat to the title this year. Anything less will be another disappointment for the home side.
Bankstown need to dust themselves off after their second defeat in as many weeks. They can feel slightly hard done by after conceding a couple of outstanding goals though, and will only need to lessen a few mistakes in order to really push teams. There is a dangerous side here – especially going forward – they just need to find a way to release it.
Sydney Olympic FC v Inter Lions SC, 3pm Sunday 17th of April at Peter Moore Park
Olympic go into this one as the only side sporting a perfect record and a further 3 points here will ensure they spend another week on top of the table. Goals were easy to come by against the Mariners in their last outing, and with Danielle Calvi already in red hot form Olympic will be confident they can get the result they’re after.
The Lions are a different proposition entirely to the Mariners though, and they’ve been defensively solid thus far. At the tail end of last season the Lions looked to stifle Olympic, and sneak a goal. They have more about them now and if they can hurt them in behind then this could be a fantastic spectacle.
-By Eamonn Warner, PS4 National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Women’s Reporter
