Round 3 Preview – NPL NSW Women’s

KAREELA, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 18:  Match action during the Women's National Premier Leagues NSW Round 2 match between Sutherland Shire FA and Manly United FC at Harrie Denning Football Field on March 18, 2018 in Kareela, Australia. #NPLNSW @NPLNSW  (Photo by Jeremy Ng/www.jeremyngphotos.com for Football NSW)

After a weekend of sweltering heat, clubs in the National Premier Leagues Women’s competition are hoping the current rain gripping the Sydney Metropolitan area stays away for round three games.

Bankstown City v Manly United

At 3pm on Sunday afternoon, Bankstown City welcome Manly United.

It’ll be back to back home games for Bankstown on Sunday.

It’s been a solid start for the new girls in the competition, picking up two draws in their first two games.

They weathered the storm well last weekend against the Mariners but Manly may be a tougher proposition for them.

The Northern Beaches side was impressive last weekend, bouncing  back after their opening round loss with a resounding 6-0 victory.

United have scorers all over the park and are an extremely dangerous side moving forward.

Emerging Jets v Illawarra Stingrays

Illawarra Stingrays faces the longest trip in the league this weekend as they travel north to take on the Emerging jets at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility.

Neither side played last weekend, giving them extra time to prepare and build for this one.

The Jets spurned a 2-goal lead last time out, having to settle for a draw.

If they can get something here, it’ll send shockwaves through the competition.

For the Stingrays, they also had a ‘second half collapse’ against the Spartans in round one but survived and won by the odd goal.

They’re a team that will be challenging and these are games where they can’t drop points.

Macarthur Rams v Northern Tigers

Lynwood Park will host the fixture between the Macarthur Rams and Northern Tigers on Sunday afternoon.

The Rams game last week was postponed late and the side was raring to go after their experienced round one win against Manly.

With so much quality in their team, the Rams won’t expect anything else other than three points in this one.

Northern Tigers didn’t play last week either and they’ll want to bounce back from round one.

It doesn’t get easier for them though and they’ll need to be at their very best on Sunday.

Sydney University v Sutherland Shire

Sydney University and Sutherland Shire will clash at Sydney University Football Ground on Sunday.

It was a real statement by Sydney Uni in round one and they’ll look to force that down again this week.

Having round two off, Alex Epakis would have used his time to further work with the team on the training ground.

It’s been a tough start for Sutherland, with the hot Sunday afternoon weather possibly affecting them.

Nine goals conceded in two games is by no means a good statistic and they’ll need to tighten their defensive stocks.

Football NSW Institute v Blacktown Spartans

Football NSW Institute will take on the Blacktown Spartans at Valentine Sports Park on Sunday.

The Institute squad is roaring to go, being the only side in the league yet to kick a football in the competition.

They’re somewhat an unknown this campaign but we can expect some good football from them once again.

The Spartans were also off last week having their game against the Tigers postponed.

A team full of stars will want to use their experience against the Institute squad to good effect and get their first win of the season.

North Shore Mariners v NWS Koalas

At Northbridge Oval on Sunday, the North Shore Mariners will take on the North West Sydney Koalas.

The Mariners currently sit a top of the table and Drew Taylor will hope his girls stay there.

They were one of only four teams that took to the pitch on Sunday and would’ve been somewhat disappointed they didn’t take anything more from their match against Bankstown.

Another side that is yet to kick the ball this year are the Koalas.

Many are excited to see the girls in yellow take to the park after their summer signings of Panayiota Petratos and the exciting Princess Ibini-Isei.

-By Nikola Pozder