Round 19 Preview – PS4 NPL 2 NSW Women’s
Round 19 could finally see the top 4 of the PlayStation® 4 National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Women’s 2016 decided and with several clubs desperate to keep their hopes alive we should be in for an exciting weekend of matches.
Before the weekend begins though, we have yet another catch up match to get through. This time from Round 12 between Central Coat and Bankstown before the two sides meet again at Jensen Park on Sunday afternoon.
The rest of Round 19 sees Nepean fighting to stay in the finals race when they host Inter, Olympic travel down to Nowra looking to seal their top 4 spot, and the match of the weekend sees the high flying Tigers welcome Sutherland Shire to Mills Park as the two sides battle to chase down the Lions at the top of the table.
Central Coast Mariners FC vs Bankstown City FC, 7.30pm Thursday August 4th at Pluim Park NO.3
And;
Bankstown City FC vs Central Coast Mariners FC, 2.05pm Sunday August 7th at Jensen Park
The two promoted sides meet twice in four days this week, with both looking to finish the season strongly now that their quest for finals football is over. The Mariners have had a very tough time of it, but they’ll be targeting the Thursday night fixture as a super chance to claim that elusive win. Bankstown won’t enjoy the midweek travel up the coast this late in the year, so it the Mariners can get the ball wide and in behind they’re a real chance of getting something from the round 12 catch up fixture. Bankstown won’t make it easy for them by any stretch, but this is the one for the Central Coast.
Things may be much more difficult come Sunday afternoon. Bankstown can still overhaul Southern and potentially Nepean if they can string some good performances together over the final rounds of the year, and a 5th place finish for a promoted side will be a more than satisfactory achievement in a competition with this much talent on show. Two wins for the weekend will put them in a great position to end the season a real high. With their strike force there’s a good chance of a haul of goals this weekend for Bankstown, and one feels that will be the aim at the very least.
Nepean FC vs Inter Lions SC, 3pm Sunday August 7th at Cook Park
Both these sides will be hoping for better conditions this weekend than they had to endure the last time they met. Their round 12 match ended in total farce, with both sides struggling to stay afloat on a waterlogged Fraser Park, with Inter having taken the lead well before the pitch took a turn for the worse.
There’s a lot to play for here, as Nepean need win to keep their season alive for another week. It’s been a nearly season for Nepean, much improved in many areas on last year, but they haven’t quite had enough to finish teams off and pick up the points they’ve needed. Still, if they can sneak fourth they could cause some headaches in the finals.
Inter know a win in St Mary’s will make it very difficult to catch them at the top. With a game in hand as well – albeit against Olympic – they can take a huge step to securing that premiership this weekend.
Northern Tigers FC vs Sutherland Shire FA, 3pm Sunday August 7th at Mills Park
The match to watch this weekend is taking place up at Asquith between the Tigers and Sutherland. Northern are absolutely flying at the moment – very reminiscent to Southern Branch at the end of the 2015 season – taking on everyone they come up against and playing some outstanding football as well. Composure with the ball at their feet has been a huge part of their game, and the timing of their forward movement makes them especially dangerous if they’re midfield can find time and space. They may be without central midfielder Emma Watkins this week after her nasty clash with Amanda Seskin, but Sarah Phillipson is a more than adequate replacement if her showing on Sunday is any indication.
It will be interesting to see how the two styles match up, as while the Tigers look to transition at pace, Sutherland work the ball around more methodically looking for an opening. They’ll have to move the ball quickly if they’re to break through Northern’s defensive lines, otherwise it will come straight back to them at pace. Precision and quick thinking in the final third is needed too from the likes of Raegan Deeley and Verity Quartermain, as the Northern backline led by skipper Amanda Skellern have done a great job in recent weeks of tightening things up.
Southern Branch FC vs Sydney Oympic FC, 3pm Sunday August 7th at South Nowra Football Complex
Southern can complete the first leg of their miracle comeback this weekend when they host Sydney Olympic. Olympic are the side that Southern aim to overhaul, and while the task is almost impossible, any win here – especially a big one – and hope remains alive for another week at least. It will be tough to back up after the heartbreaking final moments loss to Inter on Sunday, but it really is now or never for the Nowra side.
Olympic will be smarting after their defeat to Northern, and you could see them taking out some of that frustration when they head down the south coast. A full week’s preparation will aid their cause too, as playing midweek would have certainly been a factor last in last Sunday’s result. They can seal their finals place this weekend, giving them ample time to figure out a game plan for the sides ahead them, so they’ll be raring to go come 3pm Sunday afternoon.
By Eamonn Warner, PS4 National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Women’s Reporter
