Round 17 Preview – PS4 NPL 2 NSW Women’s
As we enter the final fortnight of the season, the top four has almost sorted itself out as teams look to finish the regular season on a high note.
Match of the Round: Sutherland Shire FA vs Marconi Stallions, Sunday 6th August,3pm, Harrie Denning Centre
Second place Sutherland Shire FA host Marconi Stallions as the home side continue their momentum headed into the finals series.
Marconi Stallions after a brief stay inside the top four have fallen back to fifth place and need results to fall their way plus become only the second team to take three points from Harrie Denning Centre to stay alive, so a tough ask.
The Stallions will be disappointed in their return in NPL 2 NSW Women’s after wanting to challenge the top four – a bright spot has been Kate Hensman with her eight goals this season and need the striker to fire against a nervous Shire side still.
The Shire ladies haven’t been in the best form in the last month as their coach admitted that they “need to work on their starts” after once again falling behind against Bankstown City Lions. The return and a brace from Jordan Baker was well received and she is a key for their hopes of the championship.
Inter Lions vs Bankstown City Lions, Sunday 6th August, 3pm, Concord Oval
For the first time in a while Bankstown City Lions find themselves in the last finals position headed out Concord Oval to face Inter Lions.
The Lions played out an entertaining 2-2 draw last Thursday against fellow finalists Sutherland Shire FA as Inter fell 4-nil to the reborn Nepean FC.
Bankstown coach Troy Spink will start prepping his side for the run into the finals as he manages a squad who is still battling some injuries but still possesses quality in Joanna Martino and Tania Baban to continue to play their style.
For Inter Lions, they are playing for pride as new coach Danny Abboud continues to embed his ideas for the team with a view to next season. Bankstown shouldn’t take them lightly as both Sarah Mandile and Leanne Sharp can cause some problems of their own.
Central Coast Mariners vs Gladesville Ravens, Sunday 6th August, 3pm, Pluim Park
Central Coast Mariners are an outside chance to make the finals and need three points this Sunday at home to put pressure on fourth position.
The Mariners got themselves back in the winning column with a road victory over Southern Branch FC while Gladesville were beaten by the premiers 5-nil.
Despite looking likely to finish at the bottom of the ladder, Gladesville Ravens haven’t disgraced themselves in NPL 2 NSW Women’s and competed every week – marshalled well by captain Alex Beattie in the middle.
The Mariners strikeforce in Candice Phelan and Georgia Davis will keep Ravens keeper Kasia Glennie busy across the afternoon in an intriguing contest up on the Central Coast.
Southern Branch FC vs Nepean FC, Sunday 6th August, 3pm, South Nowra Football Complex
Following a good run of recent results Nepean FC have vaulted themselves into third place and now travel to Nowra aiming to keep the run going.
The goals flowed last weekend as Nepean FC beat Inter Lions 4-nil as Southern Branch FC suffered a rare home loss to Central Coast Mariners at a two-goal margin.
Now they have refound their form – Nepean FC remain one of the main contenders for the final series with Jessica Elliot and Alix Waddell leading the way in the goalscoring stakes as we enter the final fortnight of the regular season.
Southern Branch FC has had an interesting year but look to their final home game of the season to go out on a winning note and halt the form of Nepean FC.
Sydney Olympic FC has the bye
By Justin Davies, PS4 NPL 2 NSW Women’s reporter
