NPL 2 NSW Women’s – Round 10 Preview
Round 10 is a mouth-watering prospect for teams in the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens competition. We have a pair of top five clashes as the main while we have some tasty dishes in the other four contests to whet the appetite in another buffet of football.
Match of the Round: St George FC vs Southern Branch FC, Sunday May 12, 3pm, St George Stadium
Two sides looking to get their season on track for this weekend’s Match of the Round, as St George FC host Southern Branch FC at the historic St George stadium.
It hasn’t been the best first two months for St George FC. The side languish in 11th after their 7-2 loss to Marconi, where they had the visitors rocking for a bit at 3-2. Southern Branch FC were undone by a brace from Imogen Lane from Nepean FC in their latest defeat.
Both sides would have circled this contest as one to gather three points. Southern Branch FC has got both their victories this season, against sides close to them in the table. They will be led by their experienced players in Matilda Potter and Bronte Wright, to topple the Saints.
For the Saints, they have been battered and bruised but have put together some solid performances in recent weeks. They held their own against Marconi until the final ten-minute onslaught. In Yadira Renfigo they have a goal poacher alongside Amy Bennett could break their duck for the season.
Gladesville Ravens vs Western NSW Mariners, Sunday May 12, 3pm, Christie Park
The Ravens remain top of the class, and the leaders welcome Western NSW Mariners to Christie Park for a Sunday afternoon delight to kick-off the round.
It is a case of let the good times roll for Gladesville. Another 4-nil success makes it eight victories for the season and still sitting at the summit with 25 points. Western NSW Mariners showed their defensive steel in a 0-0 stalemate against SD Raiders, their third draw this season.
The chase is on for the Golden Boot. Emily Diaz has already netted 13 times this season, a single goal behind Maroni’s Jasmine Courtenay. Her combination with Yume Kashima in midfield and strike partner Kasia Wojtowicz might make for a long afternoon for Jessica Daymond.
For the visitors, they have toiled hard for the first ten weeks, now the Mariners have to turn their draws into three points, to keep touch with the top five. Key to that is their midfield generals in Poorsha Mcphillamy and Teegan Courtney to maintain their structure and possibly frustrate the ladder leaders.
Sutherland Shire FA vs SD Raiders FC, Sunday May 12, 3pm, Harrie Denning Centre
It is a big fortnight upcoming for Sutherland Shire FA, as they host two huge home matches, starting with the visit of SD Raiders this weekend at Harrie Denning Centre.
The Shire FA side has been chugging along, maintaining their unbeaten streak with a 6-3 contest against Inter Lions at home. For SD Raiders, they tried so hard and got so far, but in the end the game ended 0-0 against Western NSW Mariners at Ernie Smith Reserve.
As mentioned, Shire FA have a pair of huge clashes starting with this game against SD Raiders then welcome the only team above them on the ladder, in Gladesville, next weekend. Maddison Farmer has become a consistent scorer and her partnership with Jordan Baker and Brittany Christie is a fearsome front three to combat.
SD Raiders FC have been the quiet achievers thus far this season. The south-west side are fifth, whilst they don’t create the most goals they have a solid defense led by custodian Natasha Pentecost that always keeps them in contests. That foundation allows attackers Sarah Mandile and Rachel Casser to create upfront.
Marconi Stallions vs APIA Leichhardt Tigers, Sunday May 12, 3pm, Marconi Stadium
Marconi Stadium will be rocking as two powerhouses – APIA Leichhardt Tigers and Marconi Stallions – face off in a blockbuster contest on Sunday afternoon.
Both teams come into the contest in superb form. APIA Leichhardt Tigers are on an eight-match unbeaten run, including their recent 5-nil success against the Central Coast. Matt Constantini has his side purring with a healthy goal difference and the solid Courtney Halpin, the goalkeeper hasn’t conceded in her last four games and adds another dimension to the side.
For the home side, they hope that all that shimmering form isn’t sure to fade away, again. One big positive for them has been the form of Jasmin Courtenay, leading the Golden Boot race, with 14 goals. Others have started to chip in which has seen them rack up three straight victories and look to consolidate their top five spot on the weekend.
Add all those factors up, and there is a fascinating contest in prospect on Sunday afternoon. APIA has run roughshod through the competition after their opening week defeat, now they have a chance to create space between them and fourth/fifth place. For Marconi, this could be the scalp that pushes them into the top three in the second half of the campaign. Enjoy.
Central Coast Mariners vs Inter Lions FC, Sunday May 12, 3pm, Pluim Park
Back home on the coast, Central Coast Mariners aim to bounce back when they take on a feisty Inter Lions side at Pluim Park on Sunday afternoon.
Coming into the weekend, both sides were on the losing side. The Mariners competed well but were taken to task by APIA in a second half demolition. For Inter Lions, they gave Shire FA a scare before losing 6-3 themselves.
After their slow start to the season, Inter Lions have seemed to find their groove now. Whilst the results haven’t shown yet, Inter might sense an upset in the sea air. If they bring the form of their first half against Shire FA, with some goals, it is possible.
Despite the loss, Mariners had some good chances against APIA. Most of them came through the work of Danielle Wise and Gabrielle Blanch. Being two of the experienced members of the group they can help motivate the young squad to get themselves back in the hunt.
Nepean FC vs UNSW FC, Sunday May 12, 6:30pm, Cook Park
Rounding off the weekend is a final delight when Nepean FC take on UNSW FC at Cook Park, as the hosts try to break back into the competition’s top five.
After being the master of draws earlier this season, Nepean FC registered back-to-back victories with their latest, a 2-nil stroll against Southern Branch FC in Nowra. For UNSW FC, the news remains grim after their 4-nil loss to Gladesville Ravens made it six straight losses.
Nepean FC have started to move from having a plethora of shots which crashed into the bar, post and every manner of object but not the goal. Coach Alan Tasses remains trying to get his strikers to be more clinical in front of the goal so they can put sides away, starting with the Students on Sunday night.
The equation is simple for UNSW FC – they need points. It has been a rough ride for Alex Nolan in the dugout thus far, so he is looking for some spark that could help UNSW FC take their first points since Round 3 and cause a huge surprise in the process.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
