Round 18 Preview – PS4 NPL 2 NSW Women’s
Playstation® 4 National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Women’s 2016 Round 18 Preview
The final match from Round 10 is set to be played tonight, with Inter and Olympic finally resuming hostilities after their match from Sunday was also washed out.
Fingers crossed for no rain this afternoon.
Round 10 Preview:
Inter Lions SC vs Sydney Olympic FC, 8pm Wednesday July 27th at Valentine Sports Park NO.2
What was supposed to be the second of two massive encounters between these two sides is now more of a standalone bout thanks to Sydney’s wonderful weather. The tensions would have built over the last few days though, which will only add to the contest.
While the table is slightly deceiving as these two sides have two games in hand on Sutherland and the Tigers, the points totals will play more on the mind of Olympic, as they won’t want to be trailing by too far after this coming weekend.
This should still be a cracking game, so if you’re invested in this league I could think of few better ways to spend a Wednesday night.
Round 18 Preview:
Another huge clash involving top 4 sides highlights Round 18 of the Playstation® 4 National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Women’s 2016. This weekend sees Nepean head up the cost to face the Mariners, while Inter head down the coast to visit Southern Branch. Down in the shire, Sutherland are chasing a win against bogey side Bankstown, and the match of the round sees the Northern Tigers travel out to Belmore to take on Sydney Olympic.
Central Coast Mariners FC vs Nepean FC, 2.05pm Sunday July 31st at Pluim Park NO.3
Nepean are the only side the Mariners haven’t lost to so far this season, and they’ll be primed to go one better this weekend and finally pick up that elusive victory. They put in a couple of strong performances against them during the double header earlier in the year, and with Nepean still stuttering in attack the Mariners will feel that if they can defend stoically they’re in with a huge chance.
Nepean should be fired up to make amends for their poor showings earlier in the year against Central Coast. If they’re to mount a late run for the finals they have to click into gear now – and if they can’t create chances this weekend then they may not deserve a place in the top 4. Jessica Elliot needs to dominate this weekend in midfield for Nepean; she has stacks of ability, and against the Mariners she should be able to deliver for her side and power them to victory.
Sutherland Shire FA vs Bankstown City FC, 3pm Sunday July 31st at Harrie Denning Centre
Once again Sutherland weren’t able to break down an organised and disciplined opponent at the weekend, and now they face another on Sunday. They were overwhelmed by Bankstown the last time they met, meaning revenge will surely be part of their motivation. Sutherland will play the way they always do, so it’s just a matter of executing their plans better than they have in the past.
Bankstown has matched up well against Sutherland in 2016. It remains to be seen how they’ll go now that they have little to play for other than pride, but for a fighting squad that may bring something out in them that’s been missing this year. There’s a bit of an edge between the two sides when it comes to the dugout too, stemming from their differing footballing philosophies, so we should be in for a willing encounter.
Sydney Olympic FC vs Northern Tigers FC, 3pm Sunday July 31st at Peter Moore Park
Undoubtedly the match of the weekend takes place at Peter Moore between Olympic and the Tigers. Despite their exertions from their midweek fixture, Olympic should have plenty in the tank to really take it to the Tigers. They have a strong and willing midfield that has the ability to create chances against the toughest of defences, and while the Tigers look outstanding with the ball at their feet, they are vulnerable up against a high quality frontline. And we know Olympic don’t need to be camped in your end to cause significant damage.
The Tigers are the league’s in form side at the moment, with the win from last weekend taking them up to second place. And if everything goes right for them they could move into first place on Sunday evening. Attacking wise they’ll pose a huge threat to the Olympic defence with their varied and well-structured forward play. Goals look likely here, regardless of the eventual outcome.
Southern Branch FC vs Inter Lions SC, 3pm Sunday July 31st at South Nowra Football Complex
Southern come into this one off the back of a rather mixed weekend having picked up a win and a draw against Bankstown and the Mariners respectively. They’ll be after something similar to that Bankstown game if they want anything from this fixture, as Inter have dealt with them rather comfortably on both occasions this season. Their pace in wide areas could be damaging, as defending on the flanks is one of the few weak spots the Lions have shown in 2016.
Inter will hopefully head down to Nowra with a bit of a points buffer at the top, which will ease any pressure they may feel being the hunted side at the moment. It isn’t an easy fixture at any part of the season, so heading down the coast with a clear mindset will aid them tremendously. If they don’t pick up points on Wednesday night there could be some consternation over holding onto the minor premiership.
By Eamonn Warner, PS4 National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Women’s Reporter
