Round 9 – National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s Preview
Only a point separates the top three teams in the NPL NSW Women’s competition as we head into round nine action this weekend.
NWS Koalas v Northern Tigers
At Christie Park, the North West Sydney Koalas host the northern Tigers.
Back to back wins have seen Jaime Gomez’s side begin their climb up the ladder.
Two straight clean sheets will see confidence grow at the Koalas with a win possibly taking them to fifth place on the ladder.
After losing their opening three fixtures of the season, the Tigers haven’t lost since round three and have moved up to seventh place.
They’ve drawn their last two though and will want to change that this week.
Sutherland Shire v Blacktown Spartans
Sutherland Shire and Blacktown Spartans will clash at Harrie Denning centre on Sunday afternoon.
It hasn’t been quite the start Sutherland expected in their return to top flight football, registering yet another loss last weekend.
They haven’t been able to take advantage of playing five of eight games at home either, something they could turn around on Sunday.
For Blacktown, It seems a coaching change has somewhat shaken things up.
They did well to draw with second placed Macarthur last week but will feel disappointed having dropped a two-goal half time lead.
Bankstown City v Illawarra stingrays
Jensen park will be the venue for the Bankstown city and Illawarra Stingrays clash on Sunday.
With only one win this season, the Lions will need to turn things around soon.
Patty Charalambous has become the leader of this team and she’ll need to step up on Sunday.
Sitting four points behind first place, a victory could bring the Stingrays closer to top spot.
A seven-goal win last week saw them snap a two-game losing streak and put them back on track.
Football NSW Institute v Macarthur Rams
Football NSW Institute and the Macarthur Rams play on Sunday afternoon at Valentine Sports Park.
It’s always an exciting game when these two meet.
The Institute have lost one game in five and are in fine form heading into this one.
Sitting only three points away from a finals place, the Institute will want to keep pace with those ahead of them.
The Rams would be have mixed feelings after last week’s game. Losing 3-1 at half time, they did well to come back and draw but will be disappointed in not taking all three points.
A win could see Norm Boardman’s team hit the top of the league but underestimate the Institute at your peril, some talented youngsters on display that will surely give the Rams side a challenge!
Sydney University v Emerging Jets
At Sydney University Football Ground, Sydney University will host the Emerging Jets.
Alex Epakis suffered his first loss as Sydney Uni boss on Sunday but his side held on to first place.
He’ll be looking for a reaction from his team as soon as Sunday as they look to hold onto their position.
The jets are yet to register their first three points of the campaign but have been able to trouble a few teams so far this season.
Manly United v North Shore Mariners
It’s a local derby at Cromer park on Sunday as Manly United welcomes the North Shore Mariners.
Life after Remy Siemsen doesn’t seem to have affected the United side as they continue their chase of first placed Sydney Uni.
The champions have won three straight and will be keen to keep that run going.
For the Mariners, since that great opening run, they’ve failed to win in their last four starts.
Subsequently, they’ve dropped from the top of the table to sixth place and need a win to stay within touching distance of the finals places.
-By Nikola Pozder
