Round 15 Preview – PS4 NPL NSW Women’s

There are only four rounds remaining in the PlayStation4 NSW NPL Women’s competition with a real fight on our hands for finals places.

Emerging Jets v Illawarra Stingrays

Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility will host the clash between the Emerging Jets and the Illawarra Stingrays.

With some hope of still taking out the Premiership, any result other than a victory will more or less dash any chance the Stingrays have.

A tight victory last week meant that the South Coast side remained in second place with the chasers breathing on their necks.

The Jets are playing for pride and to stay away from bottom place on the ladder, to do that they need points.

A possible surprise could be on the cards here as the young side comes in with no pressure.

There were 11 goals scored the last time these played as the Stingrays ran riot, winning 8-3.

Manly United v Marconi Stallions

At Cromer Park on Sunday afternoon, Manly United welcome the Marconi Stallions in a massive match for both sides.

The last time United lost was against this week’s opposition, that was over two months ago, going on an eight match unbeaten run.

Remy Siemsen is the one to watch and as the season progresses, she continues to improve week after week, just like her team.

Manly are the in form side of the competition and they will take some stopping.

It was a disappointing performance for Stephen Neligan and his team on Sunday as their seven match unbeaten run came to an abrupt end.

Having thrown themselves in the mix for the Premiership race, all their good work has come undone.

They may welcome back the experienced and influential Jodie Bain back into the squad and she’ll be important for Neligan’s team.

North West Sydney Koalas v Blacktown Spartans

Table toppers North West Sydney Koalas take on the Blacktown Spartans at ELS Hall Park on Sunday afternoon.

Everything is in their own hands now for the Koalas who have gone about their business in style so far.

They’re only a couple victories away from the Premiership, something that will please all fans but especially coach Stephen Peters.

Paul Costantini’s team have struggled with numbers and injuries, something that saw their finals chase end prematurely.

They still have enough quality around the park to hurt the Koalas and will no doubt attempt to cause a problem or two for them.

Sunday will also be a special day for the Koalas club as they host their fourth annual Partners and Community Day.

‘Harry’s’ famous BBQ and the ‘Koala Café’ will be there all day for what promises to be a fantastic day of exciting football.

Macarthur Rams v Football NSW Institute

The fantastic Lynwood Park will host the clash between the Macarthur Rams and Football NSW Institute on Sunday.

The Rams have won two on the bounce, scoring eight goals along the way to throw themselves right back into the finals mix.

Any dropped points could be the difference with making finals and they will do all they can to pick up the three points in this one.

Leena Khamis and Kylie Ledbrook are hitting form at the right time and will be a great threat to the Institute goal.

For the Institute, they currently sit in bottom place on the ladder, somewhere they don’t want to be.

Finding the back of the net hasn’t been so much an issue for them, more so keeping the goals out.

Tightening the defence will be key here for the young side.

It was one-way traffic last time the two met, with the Rams winning 5-1.

Sydney University v North Shore Mariners

Sydney University Football Ground will be the venue for the clash between Sydney University and the North Shore Mariners.

Consistency has been a major issue for Heather Garriock’s side and after consecutive games without a win, they came back with an emphatic triumph last week.

The dip in form has seen them drop to third, but with a game in hand against the league leaders, the Premiership isn’t all but lost yet.

No more points can be dropped along the way though and this is one game where they need to take all three points.

The Mariners are in a similar situation to their opponents, only fighting for a place in the finals and taking fourth spot.

They currently sit in seventh place on the ladder, five points behind fourth placed Marconi Stallions.

A loss here could mean the end of the Mariners finals aspirations.

It was comfortable for Uni last time the two met, coming away with a 3-0 win, this time though, it will be a much tougher task with so much on the line.

-by Nikola Pozder, PlayStation®National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s Reporter