Round 2 Preview – PS4 NPL NSW Women’s
The PlayStation®4 NPL NSW Women’s season finally got underway last week with some interesting results.
Sydney University are already on top but the Football NSW Institute, Blacktown Spartans, North Shore Mariners and Macarthur Rams are all hot on their heels.
North West Sydney Koalas v Northern Tigers
At ELS Hall Park, last year’s runners up North West Sydney Koalas take on newly promoted Northern Tigers.
Neither side could pick up any points in round one, with both teams recording opening day defeats.
For Stephen Peters’ Koalas, it was a surprise going down to the Mariners.
He’ll look for an immediate reaction from his girls and expect them to step up their game to get their season up and running.
For the Tigers, it was a tough return to the top flight against the Spartans and this week won’t be any easier for them.
The Koalas will be fired up and they’ll need to match them to be able to challenge them.
Sydney University v North Shore Mariners
Champions Sydney University host the North Shore Mariners at Sydney University Football Ground on Sunday afternoon.
A clash between two teams who both picked up valuable wins in round one.
Sydney Uni endured a tough trip down south but came away with a convincing and commanding 7-2 victory.
Heather Garriock’s girls are obviously ready to continue where they finished last year and they will want to do it in style.
For some, Sunday’s result for the Mariners may have come as a surprise but Andrew Taylor has been working hard to have his team ready for this season.
If Taylor’s team can come away with anything from Sunday, they’ll really send a message across the whole league.
Football NSW Institute v Illawarra Stingrays
Valentine Sports Park will host the fixture between the Football NSW Institute and the Illawarra Stingrays.
Two teams with mixed fortunes from the opening day of the season clash on Sunday.
The Institute put behind them the disappointment of the Preseason Cup final loss and came away from last week with a dominant win away from home against the Jets.
Craig Foster will continue to look to get the best possible football from his side and build results on top of their good play.
Brett Wallin’s Stingrays would’ve been disappointed with last week’s result and they’ll be keen to bounce straight back.
Captain Michelle Carney already has her goal scoring boots on and she’ll be key for the Illawarra based side.
Blacktown Spartans v Macarthur Rams
At Blacktown Football Park on Sunday, two teams that recorded wins in round one do battle as the Blacktown Spartans welcome the Macarthur Rams.
It was a fantastic start to the season for the Spartans last week and their new coach Andrew Mastoris.
They’ll look to push on and consolidate themselves as a finals contenders with a win on Sunday.
The Rams took home a smash and grab 1-0 win last week but Norm Boardman will be sure to prepare the team for this tough fixture.
Shamiran Khamis was outstanding last week against Manly United, arguably the best on park and Boardman will look for her to build on that performance.
Manly United v Emerging Jets
Cromer Park hosts two teams coming off defeats as Manly United take on the Emerging Jets.
Despite going down 1-0 to the Rams, Chris Williams will have a lot to be happy about after his side’s performance.
Countless chances were created and some good football played with unfortunately no end product for the Manly team.
They’ll look to rectify that against the Jets who lost heavily at home.
Despite being well in the game at half time, the young Jets fell away in the second period and that is obviously one thing they can improve.
EDITOR’S NOTE – Football NSW would like to apologise to Renee Rollason and the Macarthur Rams on the misinformation about her retirement in last week’s season preview.
-By Nikola Pozder
