Round 16 – National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Women Preview
In poker it is always coming sevens – and with seven rounds to go until the finals, teams need to raise their game as the mid-table clubs continue to battle for fifth. This weekend seeing all those contenders clash in a round full of exciting matches, in the never dull NPL2 womens competition.
Match of the Round: Sydney Olympic FC vs APIA Leichhardt Tigers, Sunday 24 June, 3pm, Peter Moore Field
Strap in. As we have a mouth-watering Match of the Round contest ready to play out of Peter Moore Field this weekend, as the unbeaten Sydney Olympic FC host the only side to take points off them this season, APIA Leichhardt Tigers.
The two sides have contrasting fortunes headed into the game. Olympic weren’t at their efficient best but dispatched St George FC 2-nil, while APIA Leichhardt fell to a shock defeat in less than ideal conditions, against Western NSW Mariners.
To add some further spice to the contest, these two sides played out a thrilling 3-3 under the lights at Lambert Park, last time they met. Both Ash Palombi and Madelaine Costanzo found the net on that night. It is without doubt that these are two of the best attacking sides in the NPL2 Womens competition this year.
APIA hope that the recent blip of form which has seen them record back-to-back losses. Matteo Maiorana stocked his side to have depth to compete, which as aided the side throughout the duration of season in relation to the injuries endured as they week’s have progressed within the league. Although facing the high-powered leaders, they need Palombi, Gilfedder and Urquhart to fire to break the streak.
Olympic were below their usual standard against the Saints, although performances such as last week won’t suffice with their run to the finals which include APIA, SD Raiders and Mainers – as they aim to avenge their dropped points and Lieke Bever tries to chase down Candice Phelan for top goal-scorer.
Inter Lions vs Gladesville Ravens, Sunday 24 June, 3pm, Concord Oval
Inter Lions could arguably be the form side of National Premier Leagues 2 Womens, and this weekend will host a resurgent Gladesville Ravens. A crucial mid-table clash.
Sitting fifth and seventh respectively coming into the weekend, both sides recorded impressive victories – Inter 5-1 over a downbeat UNSW FC side, while Gladesville were last gasp victors against Nepean FC; which has created a mid-table fight for the final position in the top five.
Since their slow start to the season, Inter Lions have compiled points like Optus has collected customer complaints in the opening week of the World Cup – rapidly. Abboud’s young side has gelled and adapted against more experienced sides in the competition – not to mention supreme talent in Kirilee Cook and Taylor Mikaelian that drive the team.
Victory last week was a huge weight off their shoulders. They dug deep and defended well before they fed the talents of Emily Diaz and Annalise Schiraldi up top.
The Ravens need to repeat the dose to tame the Lions.
Western NSW Mariners vs Central Coast Mariners, Sunday 24 June, 3pm, Glen Willow Stadium
The second edition of the Mariners derby this season takes place in beautiful Mudgee on Sunday afternoon. The Central Coast looking to bounce back against a dogged Western NSW side.
It has been rare this season that Central Coast has tasted defeat, but they were swept aside 4-1 by SD Raiders. Western NSW meanwhile surprised APIA on a frosty afternoon 3-nil, to put them within striking distance of the top five.
As the winter starts to bite, teams taking the long trip out to the central west might get shocked by the Western NSW side. They work hard across the park starting with custodian Jess Daymond and Poorsha Mcphillamy in midfield. Those two provide the platform for Teegan Courtney, to create their chances they need to put away against their namesake.
Dan Barrett will hope that last weekend’s loss was an aberration. The usually fluid Central Coast were stunted by the Raiders, but Coast are confident in their attacking prowess – they boast the second best attacking record – and they have put the mid-table sides to the sword this season.
Sunday is set up for a tantalizingly tense contest between two sides that share a name but don’t want to share the points.
Southern Branch FC vs SD Raiders, Sunday 24 June, 3pm, South Nowra Football Complex
Following their trip north last weekend, SD Raiders will now venture South to Nowra, to face Southern Branch FC on Sunday afternoon.
The Raiders hit the road on a high, after their complete performance against one of the form sides in NPL2 in the Central Coast Mariners. While the hosts were gallant in a 3-2 defeat against Marconi Stallions, in the south west.
SD Raiders will receive a boast this weekend through fearsome attacking arsenal Cassidy Chidgey, Samantha Nagy and Logan Garard. Three lethal individuals who have roared into form recently, and may repeat the heavy defeat they inflicted earlier this season.
UNSW FC vs Marconi Stallions, Sunday 24 June, 3pm, Valentine Sports Park #3
Tenth hosts eighth, as UNSW FC try to find a way back into form as they once again head to Valentine Sports Park, hosting Marconi Stallions Sunday afternoon.
Marconi Stallions produced a stunning rearguard as they completed a three-goal comeback against bottom placed Southern Branch. UNSW FC made it seven defeats on the trot as Inter Lions put them to the sword.
Michelle Dalbon made an impressive first start for the Stallions, with a brace which adds more attacking options for Matt Turvey’s side alongside Hannah Voloder, Jess Beale and Demelza Howard. Some hard boots to fill against a UNSW FC side they already defeated 5-1 earlier this season.
Regarding the home side, they want to find some light at the end of the tunnel. Their solid start in the competition has faded into darkness, as they are perched just above the bottom two sides – meaning three points might mean salvation for them.
Nepean FC vs St George FC, Sunday 24 June, 6:30pm, Cook Park (St Marys)
Looking to bounce back from another frustrating defeat, Nepean FC head back to friendlier grounds in Cook Park, and take on 11th placed St George Stadium in some Sunday night football.
Both sides come into the contest off last-start losses – Nepean FC by a slim margin to a wonder strike from Gladesville and St George FC weren’t embarrassed in a defeat to Sydney Olympic FC – so both sides aim to get back in the winner’s circle.
Alan Tasses might seek some divine intervention after anther frustrating evening for Nepean. They once again peppered their opponents but came away empty handed, which left the coach speechless.
He’ll need Stefanie Trovato, Imogen Lane and Britney Pelle to convert those chances against a porous Saints defense.
For the Saints, the last two weeks have been an improvement. They collected their first three points against Western NSW and a further three more against Southern Branch, so they could spring a surprise on the finals chasing Nepean.
By Justin Davies
