Round 5 Preview – NPL NSW Women’s

Only one point separates the top five teams in the National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s competition ahead of round five.

Three teams are currently locked on 10 points, while four teams continue their search for the first win of the season.

Sutherland Shire v Northern Tigers

On Sunday afternoon at Harrie Denning Centre, the Sutherland Shire host the Northern Tigers.

Both sides are yet to register any points so far this campaign and will be presented with the opportunity come Sunday.

Sutherland have found their return to the top flight of women’s football tough, conceding 21 goals in only four games.

They’ll hope their fortunes can change against the Tigers.

As for the travelling side, they’re also tied to the bottom of the table with no points after three games.

A win against Sutherland could kick-start their season.

Bankstown City v Macarthur Rams

Bankstown City will welcome top of the table Macarthur Rams to Jensen Park on Sunday.

City are another side still searching for their first win of the campaign but have come close on a couple occasions.

They’ll need to tighten their defence in this one if they’re to have any chance, in particular against the likes of Kylie Ledbrook, Leena Khamis and Georgia Yeoman-Dale.

The Rams sit where they feel most comfortable, at the pointy end of the table.

They dropped their first points on Wednesday night in a 0-0 draw against Sydney Uni but still share first place.

Emerging Jets v Football NSW Institute

At Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility the Emerging Jets take on the Football NSW Institute.

The Jets got off to a slow start to the season but showed some resolve to hold the Spartans away from home.

The confidence boosting point comes at the right time as the Jets go in search of their first win in 2018.

Football NSW Institute has one win in three but don’t be fooled the form guide may be deceiving.

They were extremely close in all three losses and were quite convincing last week in their first win as they look to build on that.

Courtney Nevin will be one to watch out for this weekend after her brace against the Northern Tigers last weekend. She was in great form along with Rachel Lowe and Susan Phonsongkham who are just some of the current young crop of stars hoping to be future Matildas.

North Shore Mariners v Blacktown Spartans

The North Shore Mariners and Blacktown Spartans do battle at Northbridge Oval on Sunday.

Drew Taylor’s side have been fantastic so far this season as they share first place after four games.

They’ve been clinical and tight at the back, scoring three out of four victories and drawing one game they probably feel they should’ve won.

For the Spartans, they’ve experienced an inconsistent start to the season and would’ve expected a better position on the ladder.

Dropping points last week against the Jets, they’ll look to chase them back on Sunday afternoon and throw themselves back into the premiership race.

Manly United v Illawarra Stingrays

It’ll be a battle between Manly United and the Illawarra Stingrays on Sunday at Cromer Park.

United have enjoyed an almost perfect start to the season, only losing their opening match of the season.

Since then, Chris Williams’ side has been in scintillating form, registering three wins and 14 goals along the way, including a come from behind win last week.

The Stingrays lost their first game of the 2018 season last week, going down to the Mariners in a five-goal thriller.

Carmelina Moscato will look to ensure the squad react fast but this will be an intriguing fixture nevertheless.

Sydney University v NWS Koalas

At Sydney University Football Ground, Sydney university host the North West Sydney Koalas.

Sydney Uni has started their time under Alex Epakis in fine fashion, notching up three wins and a draw to sit in first place on the ladder.

They’ve been free-scoring before their goalless draw with the Rams in a rescheduled match on Wednesday night.

Jaime Gomez would’ve been bitterly disappointed following last week’s loss to Manly having lead 1-0.

Despite being early on in the season, the Koalas won’t want to fall too far behind the pack already.

-By Nikola Pozder