Round 7 Preview – NPL 2 NSW Women’s

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The National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens buffet is open. We have a massive selection of tasty contests to take place across two days during the Easter long weekend. It is headlined by a Match of the Round between two western rivals.

Match of the Round: Nepean FC vs Western NSW Mariners, Monday 22 April, 1.05pm, Cook Park

This week’s Match of the Round heads west. Nepean FC back home, sitting in seventh take on a refueled Western NSW Mariners side in the early kick-off on Monday afternoon.

The Mariners have won three on the bounce, including their late show in a 2-1 against Southern Branch FC whilst Nepean FC finished off their three-game gauntlet with a 1-1 draw against the unbeaten Sutherland Shire FA sets the scene for this weekend.

Josh Ward did set lofty goals for his side this season in making it to the finals. Currently, they sit in fifth and after their performances, the Mariners are ready to test themselves against a semi-finalist from 2018. In Anna Hunt, they have someone who knows their way to the net with a strong core around her can make waves with a statement win on Monday.

Nepean FC had consistency issues last season, this year the women from the west have resemble the A-Team, as Alan Tasses has loved when a plan came together in taking five points. Much of that has come from the form of Stefanie Trovato with goals in back-to-back weeks alongside new midfielders Lauren Gaul and Dimitie Whiteman hope it can be a pass mark to end the long weekend.

Central Coast Mariners vs Sutherland Shire FA, Sunday 21 April, 4pm, Pluim Park

The only fixture on Sunday afternoon is an intriguing one as undefeated Sutherland Shire FA make the trip up to Pluim Park, taking on the Central Coast Mariners.

Both sides come off draws – the Mariners were the first side to blunt the Ravens attack in a 0-0 draw whilst Shire FA left it late to salvage a 1-1 draw against Nepean FC – as both aim to get the chocolates on the long weekend.

For the yellow-and-navy it is another big test for the young side against a top side. Dan Barrett’s side showed their stubbornness in defense, as they kept the Ravens attack to the duck egg. Another test looms against the second-best attack in the competition on Sunday.

On the opposition bench, Dragan Blazevic has a few injury headaches to weigh up as his side want to keep pace with the Ravens. Despite that, there should be enough goals in the Shire FA attack to keep them ticking over as they look to break down the Mariners.

Marconi Stallions vs SD Raiders FC, Monday 22 April, 3pm, Marconi Stadium

Two sides that have been on quite a tear in the last fortnight come together at Marconi Stadium on Monday afternoon, as Marconi Stallions take on SD Raiders FC in a tantilising match up.

This game is set as a mouth-watering contest. Marconi Stallions have won back-to-back games including their 4-1 success against UNSW FC where they pulled out all the tricks. SD Raiders have gone down a similar path with their 2-1 and 2-0 wins against UNSW FC and St George as the two sides sit fifth and sixth.

Marconi Stallions haven’t had troubles scoring this season – 20 already on the season – now with the confidence of wins that has taken them into the top five, looking to challenge the top three. Jasmin Courtenay has fit in well with her new side – six goals – and their quality across the park makes for a great clash of styles against SD Raiders.

It is a busy week for SD Raiders, they have a mid-week catch up against Inter Lions then this huge clash against a top six rival. Kirilee Cook and a goal from defender Morgan Sherman showed they have goals all around the pitch. If it gets into a shootout Sarah Mandile and Hannah-Rose Davey may be key for the visitors.

Southern Branch FC vs Inter Lions, Monday 22 April, 3pm, South Nowra Football Complex

Inter Lions finish the long weekend with a beachside visit to Nowra, taking on Southern Branch FC in a vital contest where both teams aim to pick up three vital points.

Coming into the weekend, both teams were on the losing side. Southern Branch FC lost the ‘distance derby’ 2-1 to Western NSW Mariners. On Sunday night, Inter Lions fell victim to a 7-nil result to APIA Leichhardt Tigers.

Both sides definitely eye this contest as their prime chance to vault themselves up the ladder. Southern Branch FC have been game in most games this season, led by the work of their co-captains Meredith Cheyne and Matilda Potter. For Inter Lions, they have embraced their underdog role, ready to spring an upset on the weekend.

St George FC vs Gladesville Ravens, Monday 22 April, 3pm, St George Stadium

In another team near the sea, the soaring Gladesville Ravens look to continue their unbeaten start to the season as they take on St George FC down at St George Stadium on Monday afternoon.

For the first time, Gladesville were kept scoreless in their 0-0 draw against Central Coast, although they did have the lion share of the chances. St George FC were the other 6pm kick-off but fell to a late pair of goals to SD Raiders FC.

The Ravens have been the standard bearers six weeks into the season. Their front three of Emily Diaz, Kasia Wojtowicz Annalise Schiraldi are clinical up top, and the Di Sciascio brothers have the side working hard and it has paid off with their impressive start to the season.

The Saints might have only picked up one point thus far this year, but their effort has been there in every contest. Coach Carlo Tini needs that effort repeated as they take on the leaders, and a busy afternoon might be ahead for ‘keeper Lani Dodd but anything can happen in the NPL2 Womens competition.

UNSW FC vs APIA Leichhardt Tigers, Monday 22 April, 3pm, Valentine Sports Park #3

At Valentine Sports Park, APIA Leichhardt Tigers will want to bare their claws against a downbeat UNSW FC side in the final game of the Easter Monday smorgasbord of games that afternoon.

The Tigers have started to hit their straps which is a warning shot to the rest of the competition, as they dispatched Inter Lions 7-nil meanwhile for UNSW FC, it is all the small things that cost them in a 3-1 defeat to Marconi.

There were some positive signs for the students. Alexandra O’Rourke scored their only goal and went close with another pair. Goals is on the agenda for UNSW FC to arrest their slide and finish the long weekend on a high.

APIA sit comfortably in third, riding a five-game unbeaten streak, ready to pounce on Monday afternoon. Coach Matt Constantini has his side purring, 15 goals put into the back of the net this last month. Key to that is the work of their midfield led by Lucy Gilfedder to feed their impressive strike force and make it half a dozen victories.

By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)