Round 6 Preview – NPL 2 NSW Women’s

Some great matches make up what will be a massive weekend of NPL 2 NSW Women’s football this Sunday. 

Match of the Round: Gladesville Ravens vs Central Coast Mariners, Sunday 14 April, 6pm, Christie Park

All eyes are on Christie Park this weekend. The unbeaten league leaders take on a bruised Central Coast Mariners in a twilight fixture on Sunday, ready for some fireworks.

The Ravens are flying high. They are unbeaten this season with their latest conquest, a 3-1 win against Inter Lions another notch in their belts. For the Mariners, the season hasn’t started ideally, a 4-1 loss to Marconi, their second of the season, puts them halfway to last season’s loss total early doors.

Already the walking wounded, the Mariners have a tough task ahead. Dan Barrett’s young squad are a determined bunch though, they will push the Ravens across the contest. Rhiannon Hines will be busy between the sticks but if they can create a chance for Iona Snape or Danielle Wise to finish, turns the game.

For the Ravens, it is about maintaining the rage. Emily Diaz leads the golden boot standings currently, and her combination with midfielder Yume Kashima, along with the athletic ability from keeper Eri Arikawa means the home side have a talented spine to build from. That spine could see them make it 6 from 6 in an exciting Match of the Round.

Southern Branch FC vs Western NSW Mariners, Sunday 14 April, 1:05pm, South Nowra Football Complex

National Premier Leagues 2 delivers its own version of the Distance Derby as Western NSW Mariners take a drive down to Nowra, to take on Southern Branch in the first kick-off of the weekend.

The Mariners head to the south coast full of confidence. They have won back-to-back contests which included their 2-1 success against St George FC in Lithgow. For Southern Branch FC, they were shown a difference in execution in their 7-nil loss to Shire FA.

Thus far in 2019, Southern Branch FC has shown they won’t be pushed around. Whilst they have suffered some huge score lines, the south coast side has put together some good performers. Co-captains Meredith Cheyne and Matilda Potter top of the list with youngsters Jessie Abbott and Sharmay Brielley impressing their coaches.

For the Mariners. They need to turn these back-to-back away games against Southern Branch and Nepean FC into a success to achieve their lofty aims of top five this season. Josh Ward has his charges firing on all cylinders, creating more chances and remain stout at the back, as they chase more points near the beach.

Sutherland Shire FA vs Nepean FC, Sunday 14 April, 3pm, Harrie Denning Centre

The hits keep coming for Nepean FC. After two mammoth fixtures, they head to Harrie Denning Centre, to take on Shire FA, in a blockbuster clash on Sunday afternoon.

Shire FA keep rollin’, rollin’, rollin as they thumped Southern Branch FC down in Nowra to keep right on the toes of the only undefeated side, Gladesville Ravens. Nepean FC dug deep again, extracting a point in a classic contest against APIA, equalising late in the 2-2 draw.

In the third game of the triple threat fixtures for Nepean FC, Alan Tasses has a chance to take another huge scalp of an undefeated side. Nepean FC are a tough side to break down with Desiree Vassallo central to that alongside new signing Lauren Gaul. The latter has provided an added dimension to their attack alongside Brittany Pelle and Stefanie Trovato as they look to become the one in 4 and 1.

The home side hasn’t skipped a beat thus far in the competition. Coach Dragan Blazevic has the relegated side with the best attack thus far, aided by Jordan Baker and Brittany Christie, both in the top five for goal scorers through five rounds. Sunday represents their biggest challenge thus far and victory can set them up for a successful season.

Marconi Stallions vs UNSW FC, Sunday 14 April, 3pm, Marconi Stadium

Fresh of their big win, Marconi head home to build upon that with the visit of a struggling UNSW FC side on Sunday afternoon, at one of Sydney’ historic venues, Marconi Stadium.

The Stallions galloped into the top half of the ladder after their strong 4-1 success against Central Coast Mariners whilst frustration continues to build for UNSW FC, as they let the game slip late against SD Raiders FC, 2-1.

UNSW FC hope to get off this house of horrors ride after a stretch which has them winless for the last month. Coach Alex Nolan remained frustrated with one moment that cost them three points. Before that, the students were compact, looked lively with Grace McCormick and Julie Kuang creating chances and hopefully can turn it into a 90-minute performance on Sunday.

After an inconsistent start, Marconi need to break out of the W-L-W-L holding pattern from the opening month, and Sunday represents a great opportunity for that. Jess Beale got her season kickstarted with a goal and the dynamic duo of her and Jasmin Courtenay up front can break their pattern.

St George FC vs SD Raiders FC, Sunday 14 April, 6pm, St George Stadium

It’s home, sweet home for St George FC after their road trip last week. They welcome SD Raiders FC, full of momentum once again to St George Stadium for a tantalizing fixture on Sunday night.

SD Raiders FC come into the weekend looking to record back-to-back victories for the first time this season after their 2-1 success against UNSW FC. St George FC hope they can get some points at home for the first time this season.

Both teams reside in the bottom half of the table while harbouring ideas of finishing in the top five. Games like Sunday are important, building up results and making sure you don’t fall too far behind the pack.

APIA Leichhardt Tigers vs Inter Lions, Sunday 14 April, 7pm, Lambert Park

In the jungle, the mighty jungle – the Lions have a mighty feat tonight. They travel to Lambert Park to take on APIA Leichhardt in the battle of the big cats to cap off Round 6 on Sunday night.

APIA comes into the weekend off a 2-2 draw against Nepean FC where they paid a huge cost for the point, losing both Cassidy Chidgey and Ramona Spicer for the season. Inter remained rooted to the bottom with a 3-1 loss to Gladesville Ravens.

Despite their injury woes, APIA have plenty in the attacking arsenal to pick up their third win of the season. Ash Palombi has fired home six goals in her last three, reprising her form from last season alongside Logan Garard might make for a long night for the Lions.

Sitting rock bottom. Inter know Sunday night is a David vs Goliath battle, but much like Kevin Garnett said “anything is possible”. If the Lions can stay compact and possibly hit on the counter through Harms, there could be a shockwave sent through the competition.

By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)