Round 9 Preview – State League Women’s
Round nine has a top of the table clash which headlines another feast of football to warm yourself up thanks to State League Women’s competition.
SD Raiders vs UNSW Lions, Sunday 5th June 2016, Ernie Smith Reserve, 3pm
A top of the table is set down for Ernie Smith Reserve on Sunday as the blitzering UNSW Lions take on the SD Raiders.
UNSW Lions continued their dominant form in a 7-1 rout of Mt Druitt while SD Raiders bounced back with a 3-nil win over St George.
Georgia Goulding is the competition’s leading scorer and The Lions’ midfielder connection with Rachelle Godman will be a good test for Rhea D’Mello and Sasha Hammoud in the Raiders backline.
For the home side – they have their own firepower upfront in Brittany Holzheimer and Dominique Caridad to make Sunday a mouthwatering contest.
Parramatta FC vs APIA Leichhardt Tigers, Sunday 5th June 2016, Melita Stadium, 3pm
An improving Parramatta FC face a tough ask against a rejuvenated APIA Leichhardt team at Melita Stadium this weekend.
APIA coach Matteo Maiorana sensed something special building this season after a battling 2-nil, thanks to Dione King stepping up.
Maiorana will rely on King and his remaining squad against a gutsy Parramatta FC side that has competed in most games this season.
Parramatta FC hope the tweak in their system that inspired their attack last week continues to make this an intriguing contest.
Gladesville Ravens vs St George FC, Sunday 5th June 2016, Peel Park, 3pm
Two sides that have had inconsistent seasons thus far face off for a vital three points in the chase for the top four teams.
St George FC have been on a four game run without victory but still possess the attacking threat in Nicopoulos and Mansour to scare any side.
Add the midfielder talent and Carlos Tini will hope his side can start stringing together some form starting at Peel Park.
John Cook knows his Gladesville side can match up with most teams in State League Women’s and if Isabella Breukelaar stars it makes a tough game to call.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers vs Western NSW Mariners FC, Sunday 5th June 2016, 3pm
Third takes on seventh in a potential banana peel game for the Western NSW Mariners in Sydney’s West.
Mt Druitt thudded down to earth with a 7-1 loss to UNSW Lions despite matching them for patches after they collected six points the week before.
Western NSW Mariners continue to chug along with victories and contributions from their key players including Samantha Wood and Katie Pakai-Kelly to remain firmly in the top four.
This sets up for an intense clash to round off our fixtures for the weekend.
-By Justin Davies, State League Women’s Reporter
