Round 7 – National Premier League’s NSW Women’s Preview

BANKSTOWN, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 25:  Match action during the Women's National Premier Leagues NSW Round 3 match between Bankstown City FC and Manly United FC at Jenson Park on March 25, 2018 in Bankstown, Australia. #NPLNSW @NPLNSW  (Photo by Jeremy Ng/www.jeremyngphotos.com for Football NSW)

You know what’s on the menu in round seven of the NPL NSW Women’s competition? GOALS!

A few massive fixtures shape round seven, in particular match of the round between the Macarthur Rams and Illawarra Stingrays.

Sutherland Shire v NWS Koalas

Sutherland Shire are back at Harrie Denning Centre on Sunday as they take on the North West Sydney Koalas.

Still without a point after six matches, Sutherland will look to change their fortunes as soon as possible.

Jordan Baker is their most dangerous player on the pitch but she’ll need her team mates to step up should they expect to get anything from this one.

The Koalas picked up a valuable point at home against the Macarthur Rams but haven’t won a game in almost a month.

Coach Jaime Gomez’s side will improve as the season goes but they’ll need to get a move on before the gap becomes too far with the finals places.

Bankstown City v Northern Tigers

Bankstown City are at home again this week as they tackle the Northern Tigers.

Winning their first match of the season last Sunday, the Lions enter this one full of confidence.

Patty Charalambous was fantastic and has been Bankstown’s best player so far this campaign, they’ll need her to lead the team once again.

Three wins in seven days saw the Tigers shoot up the ladder to seventh place.

The in-form side could push their stake for a top four spot further with their fourth straight win on Sunday.

Macarthur Rams v Illawarra Stingrays

All eyes will be on Lynwood Park as the Macarthur Rams look to get back to the top of the table when they face the Illawarra Stingrays.

The Rams were held by the Koalas on Sunday and subsequently lost their hold of first place.

Norm Boardman’s side will be keen to regain top place but no it will be quite the fiture against the Stingrays.

The Stingrays have lost two of their last three outings and are currently sitting in fourth spot on the ladder.

A win for the south coast side would see them jump the Rams and move closer to top spot.

Goals are almost guaranteed in this one with both attacks lethal in front of goal.

Sydney University v Blacktown Spartans

At Sydney University Football Ground, Sydney University host the Blacktown Spartans on Sunday afternoon.

Alex Epakis’s side is firing on all cylinders after the opening six rounds.

They sit a top the league ladder, dropping points only once this season in a draw with the Macarthur Rams.

They have the best defence in the comp and the second best attack.

The Spartans are struggling for consistency after six rounds of competition.

They haven’t been able to register back to back wins yet this season, thus why they sit in eighth position at the moment.

Emerging Jets v North Shore Mariners

It’s a derby on Sunday at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility as the Emerging Jets take on the North Shore Mariners.

In 11th place, the Jets are still chasing win number one of the season.

It won’t be easy against the Mariners but if they’re able to shut down the opposition’s attack, anything is possible.

The Mariners started the season in unbelievable form, but have seen a slight bump in the road over the last couple weeks.

They’ve lost their last two, including an incredible 8-6 defeat last week. Drew Taylor will look to get the squad back on track and challenging for the premiership.

Manly United v Football NSW Institute

At the later kick off of 5pm at Cromer Park on Sunday, Manly United and the Football NSW Institute do battle.

The Champions are in third place and are travelling well so far this season.

A major problem for Chris Williams’s side is their home form, yet to win a game at Cromer Park in 2018. This will be the perfect opportunity for Manly to set the record straight.

Football NSW Institute come into this one off the back of three straight wins and a whopping 18 goals scored in those matches.

Finding the back of the net hasn’t been a problem for the Institute, it’s shutting the opposition out and this will be a stern test for them.

-By Nikola Pozder