Round 17 Preview – PS4 NPL 2 NSW Women’s
The top 4 is almost settled as we head into Round 17 of the PlayStation® 4 National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Women’s 2016. By the end of the weekend the only hope for those chasing fourth spot could be mathematic possibility – a scenario that very rarely ends up favourably for them.
Southern play their second match of the weekend on Sunday afternoon against Central Coast, while Sutherland aim to bang in a few more goals when they travel to Nepean. Bankstown have some significant travel ahead of them as they head north to face the Tigers, and out at Belmore we’ve got the first of two grudge matches in four days between Sydney Olympic and Inter Lions.
Southern Branch FC vs Central Coast Mariners FC, 2.05pm Sunday July 24th at South Nowra Football Complex
With Southern backing up from what could prove to be a bruising encounter with Bankstown, this could be the best chance the Mariners have of notching up that elusive first win of the season. Southern could be effectively out of it come Sunday afternoon, and if the Mariners show some real hunger they may be ripe for the picking. It’s time to dig deep and throw everything at Southern Branch.
Southern won’t want that scenario of course, as they’ll need a win to have any hope at all of making the finals. Wehmeyer and Carney are two of their most talented players, and while they can’t do it all on their own they haven’t been at the levels we’ve seen from them previously. They should be able to find the spaces they need to shine this weekend, and Southern should take this one if they do.
Nepean FC vs Sutherland Shire FA, 3pm Sunday July 24th at Cook Park
Nothing less than a win will do for Nepean now. 6 points off fourth place (and having played one more game than Olympic) means they’ve all but run out of chances to play themselves into form, so results are now all that matters. If any side in the league can grind out a result though it’s Nepean, so expect them to look to frustrate Sutherland into making mistakes that they can pounce on.
Sutherland roared back into life last weekend against Southern, and a continuation of that ruthlessness this weekend will well and truly signal their return. It seems to all be about confidence for this side, so they’ll be keen to keep their new found form up. The clever movement of Deeley, Borromeo, and Ellis will prove a massive handful for Nepean’s defence, and in the end it should prove too much for the home side.
Northern Tigers FC vs Bankstown City FC, 3pm Sunday July 24th at Mills Park
This is going to be a very tough fixture for Bankstown. Even before you factor in the Saturday game down in Nowra, the Tigers would have been clear favourites to win this. Bankstown have proved to be a formidable opponent at points throughout this season, but exactly when they pull out performances like that has been a mystery. One of those quality games will be a requirement here if they’re to get anything out of this match.
The Tigers should be raring to go here after they’re outstanding victory against Inter last weekend. They put in one of the most impressive performances of the season to claim the points there, and anything close to that level again should see them run away with this one. Ellana Balicki poses a formidable threat up front, and her ability to strike from well outside the box poses an added problem for defences. Combine this with the tireless running of Eilidh Mackay in the number 10 role and you can see why the Tigers have been so difficult to deal with up front all season.
Sydney Olympic FC vs Inter Lions SC, 3pm Sunday July 24th at Peter Moore Park
A massive fixture this one, and the first of what will hopefully be a two part epic with the sides squaring off again a couple of nights later in a catch up from way back in Round 10.
Inter just edged Olympic in their Round 3 meeting thanks to a cracking goal from Freya Hickey – like it could have been anyone else – their former striker who know plies her trade for Olympic. This is also the first time that herself and midfielder Kylie Stabb have come up against their old side, so there’s sure to be a bit of fire from both teams after their midseason switches.
This should be a tightly contested match, with plenty of ball to be won in midfield and few clear chances at either end. Olympic hold the edge going forward, and with Inter’s defence looking rather shaky last week against the Tigers, this may be a big chance for Olympic to open up the door to first place.
Southern got unlucky with the weather in Round 15, so their match from that weekend with Bankstown is being played on Saturday afternoon.
Round 15 Preview:
Southern Branch FC vs Bansktown City FC, 3pm Saturday July 23rd at South Nowra Football Complex
A tough weekend for Bankstown starts on Saturday when they play their Round 15 catch up fixture against Southern Branch down in Nowra. The travel involved makes this the worst fixture to play on a Saturday afternoon with a game the next day, so expect a slightly weaker side either here, or at Mills Park 24 hours later. There isn’t a lot to pay for other than pride for either side here, but we should still see a hard fought contest between two of the more hard-nosed ides in the league.
Southern have to back up against Central Coast the next day, so they’ll be eyeing off 6 points for the weekend to keep their slim hopes of a top 4 finish alive. The draw for the last few rounds has done Southern a lot of favours, now it’s up to them to make the most of it before they run out of opportunities.
By Eamonn Warner, PS4 National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Women’s Reporter
