Round 8 – National Premier League NSW Women’s 2 Preview
As the competition bullets through the first half of the season, the separation between the top and bottom of the league is becoming apparent. The best thing about football though, is each week represents an opportunity for the latter to close the gap and show why football is 90 minutes. 90 emotions.
Match of the Round: Marconi Stallions vs APIA Leichhardt Tigers, Sunday 29th April, 3pm, Marconi Stadium
Two of the National Premier Leagues form sides come together for an exhibition of attacking football for this weekend’s Match of the Round at Marconi Stadium.
This game is set up to be a cracker. Both Marconi and APIA come off huge victories, sitting in second and third, chasing Sydney Olympic FC in first means Sunday afternoon has all the ingredients for a classic contest.
Both sides are set up well to attack. APIA’s Ash Palombi has been a shrewd signing for Matteo Maiorana, now with the return from injury by Christina Ferreyra, a powerful striker that has scored a mountain of goals from her time in State League Womens makes the undefeated Tigers a tougher prospect.
Ferreyra’s presence creates a huge task from Marconi captain, Hannah Voloder and her defense, as they aim to blunt their attack and in turn, allow the Stallions attack, which has shared the goal-scoring responsibilities to return fire. So are the Stallions much like Charlotte Flair, ready for APIA.
Nepean FC vs SD Raiders, Sunday 29th April, 3pm, Cook Park
Coming into this weekend, these two teams won’t be resting comfortably with them sitting sixth and seventh respectively before they stride onto Cook Park Sunday afternoon, looking to arrest that.
Both teams were frustrated with their losses last week, Nepean FC due to some costly errors and SD Raiders, in the Max Power inspired taking the hard way, conceded late against APIA Leichhardt Tigers.
Throughout the week, Alan Tasses would’ve drilled his side on their defensive responsibilities. Taking on a dynamic attacking side like SD Raiders, spearheaded by Samantha Nagy and Cassidy Chidgey will put the Nepean defensive leaders to the test.
For SD Raiders, they battled hard against Olympic, but need to address some switching off at key moments which has cost them a handful of points already this season. They need to show their character in a tight tussle on Sunday.
Inter Lions vs Central Coast Mariners, Sunday 29th April, 3pm, Concord Oval
Sitting comfortably in fourth, the Mariners come into this weekend knowing three points against struggling Inter Lions can help them break away from the chasing pack.
Inter Lions had a sugar hit in their breakthrough win against St George FC but crashed back to earth against APIA Leichhardt. The visitors got back in the winner’s circle in a 3-2 thriller against Nepean FC.
Much like Ed Sheeran spent 15 weeks on top of the charts, Mariners’ Candice Phelan has done similar for goal-scorers, making her a danger for the Inter Lions defense that been resolute, despite sitting ninth.
They have only conceding a dozen goals, showing Danny Abboud’s influence is starting to take effect at the historic club.
Central Coast coach Dan Barrett has remarked the season is about the ‘journey and improving each week’. That journey is made much easier with the talent at Barrett’s disposal shows the future for Coast football is bright in their women’s program.
Sydney Olympic FC vs Western NSW Mariners FC, Sunday 29th April, 3pm, Peter Moore Field
A rested Sydney Olympic FC want to maintain the streak as they take on Western NSW Mariners in a tough clash Sunday afternoon.
Western NSW Mariners head to Peter Moore Field, off back-to-back 1-nil results while the reigning premiers dug deep to record six points across last weekend against SD Raiders and UNSW FC.
Bill Papas is spoilt for choice all around the park in the undefeated Olympic FC side. Danielle Calvi took her chance at starting minutes with three goals, just building on the already impressive attack that transform into a modern-day Megazord in a flash.
The Mariners haven’t had the best times on the road thus far this season. They have lost three of their four trips to Sydney, with the 4-3 win over St George FC their only triumph. If they can remain disciplined and mentally switched on all afternoon against the premiers, it makes for an exciting contest as the Mariners look to vault up the table.
Southern Branch FC vs Gladesville Ravens, Sunday 29th April, 3pm, South Nowra Football Complex
Gladesville Ravens hit a slight roadblock in recent weeks, now they hope not to trip as they travel to Nowra to take on Southern Branch FC.
The Ravens sit a single point outside the top four, as they were forced to share the points against UNSW FC while Southern Branch may have lost again but kept it close in a single goal defeat to Western NSW Mariners.
Annalise Schiraldi is definitely the talisman for the Ravens attack, their best movements come through the striker that has four goals. At the back, Alex Beattie commands a defense that has been resolute in stopping oppositions attacks making them a tough prospect for any side.
Carly Regan had a busy day in next weekend, as the custodian pulled out a series of heroic saves to keep a talented Western NSW Mariners to a single goal. If they are to break free of St George, and the bottom, she might need to do similar.
UNSW FC vs St George FC, Sunday 29th April, 3pm, Hensley Athletic Field
Home sweet home. It isn’t only for welcome mats. It’s been a month between home games for UNSW FC, now on their return, they hope to not be so gracious to guests St George FC this weekend.
Recently UNSW FC has suffered from slow start syndrome. The students sleep-walked through the first half against Gladesville before a Rio Darlaston spot kick earnt them a hard-fought point while the Saints floundered against Marconi.
St George has one of the league’s more porous defenses, conceding 36 goals in seven games. The return of Peta Koinis between the sticks has helped to stem the tide. Against one of the more goal-shy sides, the Saints might find more opportunities to break and create an upset.
For Renato Jelen, it is all about the structure for his side. Once they got the ball on the ground, feeding the rapid pace of Paige Ayton up front which opened up the Ravens defense. If they can do similar this weekend, it could be the realisation of the plan Jelen has wanted to implement all season.
By Justin Davies
