Round 13 – National Premier Leagues Women’s Preview

The top five teams in the NPL NSW Women’s competition are beginning to break away from the chasing pack. Round 13 throws up some enticing fixtures that could have an impact on the league table.

Blacktown Spartans v Northern Tigers FC

Blacktown Spartans and Northern Tigers clash on Sunday afternoon at Blacktown Football Park.

Two teams in desperate need of points if they’re to keep their finals hopes alive. They’re both locked on 14 points at the moment on the table, 10 points away from fifth place.

Stephen Peters’s side has lost two games on the bounce and their good form has been brought to an abrupt end.

For the Tigers, since their fine win against the Koalas, they have lost three games in a row and distanced themselves from challenging for the finals.

Emerging Jets v NWS Koalas

At Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility, the Emerging Jets host the North West Sydney Koalas.

The Jets suffered a disappointing loss last week but will put that result behind them and re-focus on the job at hand.

For the Koalas, consistency has been an issue and going down convincingly last week has not helped their finals cause.

A win is imperative for Jaime Gomez’s side on Sunday.

Football NSW Institute v Illawarra Stingrays

Valentine Sports Park will see the Football NSW Institute and Illawarra Stingrays clash.

This game almost always is sure to provide the spectator with a good time and lots of goals.

The Institute can’t get off fifth place and make the move up the ladder but this week is the perfect opportunity with the Stingrays three points ahead.

They’re the top scorers of the comp with players capable of finding the back of the net all over the park.

Illawarra has jumped up into second place on the ladder and are hunting top placed Uni.

Five straight wins has them in fine form but coming up against a formidable opponent who has lost one game since round three.

North Shore Mariners v Bankstown City

The North Shore Mariners and Bankstown City will do battle at Northbridge Oval on Sunday.

Finals are slipping away from the Mariners, they haven’t won since round four and are in desperate need of points.

They failed last week against bottom placed Sutherland and have really dented their hopes now, only a win can keep them alive.

After five straight losses without a goal scored, the Lions broke that streak last week with a convincing 3-0 win.

Another win here will put them only a point behind the Mariners as they look to continue their climb up the ladder.

Sydney University v Macarthur Rams

Another top five clash will have Sydney University and Macarthur Rams lock horns at Sydney Uni Football Ground.

Uni are on top and they ain’t letting go easy.

Alex Epakis’s side went two games without a win but have quickly turned it around, winning their last three and moving back to the top of the league.

The Rams will be disappointed in not picking up all three points last week.

A win for Macarthur will put them only one point behind Uni and right on their tale as we move into the final stages of the season.

Manly United v Sutherland Shire

The late kick off on Sunday has Manly United and Sutherland playing at Cromer Park.

United have now gone two games without a win and dropped down to fourth on the ladder, having been leading the pack only a couple weeks ago.

In order to stay within striking distance of Sydney Uni, United must take all three points here.

Sutherland will take all the positives following their first points of the campaign last week.

It won’t be easy come Sunday but they’ll work hard to get something from the game.

BY Nikola Pozder