Round 6 Preview – PS4 NPL 2 NSW Women’s
The ladder looks extremely tight as we head into round 6 of the Playstation® 4 National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Women’s 2016.
Sitting on 7 points seems to be rather fashionable at the moment, but thanks to the fixturing this weekend presents several sides with the opportunity to pull away from the chasing pack.
Central Coast will be looking to upset Sutherland up at Gosford, Olympic host Nepean at Peter Moore, the Tigers look to make it count on the south coast against Southern Branch, and Inter take on Bankstown in a battle for the pride lands.
Central Coast Mariners FC vs Sutherland Shire FA, 2.05pm Sunday the 8th of May at Pluim Park NO.3
The Mariners are due for that first win of the year. They’ve shown some signs of quality so far this season but on the whole the level seems to be above them at the moment. Chances were there for the taking in the last start against Bankstown, but failing to make the most of them consigned the Gosford outfit to another loss. Things will not get any easier this weekend.
Despite their ladder position Sutherland will feel they aren’t quite where they should be as they’ve dropped a few points in careless fashion. One feels that Sutherland will be in a ruthless mood this Sunday after their high scoring draw with the tigers, and that spells nothing but trouble for Central Coast. If Sutherland can hit their stride early this could be over relatively quickly.
Inter Lions SC vs Bankstown City FC, 3pm Sunday the 8th of May at Concord Oval
Inter’s mettle will be tested this weekend as they look to recover from their first loss of the season when they take on a confident Bankstown. The loss to Nepean will sting after their strong start to the campaign, but Inter have the ability in their side to get back on the right path. If they can control the midfield here they should have enough to subdue Bankstown.
That’s not to say Bankstown will make it easy for them. The supply lines into Samantha Muscat will need to work well for success here, and the key will be giving her space to attack Danielle Watson and her defensive compatriots at pace. If Bankstown allow Inter to set up solidly at the back, playing through them will become supremely difficult.
Sydney Olympic FC vs Nepean FC, 3pm Sunday the 8th of May at Peter Moore Park
Sydney Olympic can put some distance between them and their rivals with a win this weekend, and with the extra cushion of a game in hand they’ll hold an advantage as we near a third of the way into the season. A draw in their last outing was a setback, but another match at home will give them a little boost to help them return to the winner’s circle.
Ladder wise, Nepean are in the same shape as Olympic. Coming off the back of an excellent win against Inter they should be full of confidence here. Consistency is of paramount value in this league, and if you can string a few wins together the gap you can create gives plenty of leeway in the latter stages of the year. Nepean struggled for that last season, but a victory this weekend would give them the momentum needed to stage such a run.
Southern Branch FC vs Nothern Tigers FC, 3pm Sunday the 8th of May at South Nowra Football Complex
The Tigers are the other side who can’t seem to buy a win at the moment. The silver lining in their case is they’ve managed 3 draws from 4 starts, which gives them some kind of base to get their season going. Holding on to that ever so valuable 3 points has proved a bridge too far for them to this point, but they aren’t far away. Pushing Sutherland should show them that the points are there for the taking if they can just get themselves over the line.
Southern Branch will know a win brings the Tigers right back into contention, and will do everything they can to be less than generous hosts this weekend. Southern are another team just searching for some consistency as they build into the season, unable to string the wins together. The ladder suggests a win here for the home side, but the Tigers won’t be as toothless as they appear.
-By Eamonn Warner, PS4 National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Women’s Reporter
