Round 16 Preview – State League Women’s
Round 16 of the Women’s State League is headlined by the top of the table clash between APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC and UNSW while Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC host bottom placed Parramatta FC and Western NSW Mariners FC travel to face SD Raiders FC.
SD Raiders FC vs Western NSW Mariners FC, Sunday 23rd July 3pm, Ernie Smith Reserve
In what shapes up as a crucial clash for both teams, Western NSW Mariners FC make the journey out to face SD Raiders FC.
The Raiders in fourth sit just one point ahead of the Mariners in fifth with both teams coming off 1-0 losses in the previous round.
This game represents a chance for the Mariners to enter the four while the Raiders will see this as an opportunity to given themselves some breathing room between them and the Mariners.
The game promises to be an exciting and open contest with both teams showing they are keen to push forward and create chances throughout the year.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC vs Parramatta FC, Sunday 23rd July 3pm, Popondetta Park
Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC host Parramatta FC in a game which Mt Druitt will see as crucial for them and their top four chances.
Mt Druitt will take much needed confidence from their last performance as they staged a remarkable comeback too snatch a point from their clash against UNSW and will be looking to continue this momentum against a Parramatta team which is still searching for its first win of the year.
This game again presents an opportunity for Parramatta to record its first win but they will again find it tough against a Mt Druitt team which certainly have everything to play for. Mt Druitt will see this game as one in which they need to take three points and anything less may extinguish any top four opportunities for them.
APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC vs UNSW, Sunday 23rd July 7pm, Lambert Park
In what is arguably the match of the round APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC welcome UNSW to Lambert Park with UNSW looking to close the five point gap between them and APIA.
UNSW are coming off a disappointing result where they threw away a 3-0 lead away against Mt Druitt to only take a point while APIA recorded a tough and gritty 1-0 away win against the Mariners to return to the winners circle after suffering its first loss of the year against St George.
The previous clash between these two teams ended in a 1-1 draw with this clash promising to be another tight clash where again there will not be much between either of these sides.
This game should provide plenty of attractive football as both teams like to control possession and could be an early preview for this season’s Grand Final.
-By Sebastian Kalos
