Round 14 Preview – NPL 2 NSW Women’s
This long weekend shapes up as a pivotal point in the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens competition.
There is some heavyweight contests to play out across Sunday afternoon that might see a paradigm shift headed into the final two months of the season.
Match of the Round: SD Raiders FC vs Central Coast Mariners, Sunday 9 June, 11:30am, Valentine Sports Park #3
Rise and shine with some football on this long weekend! SD Raiders take a home game to football headquarters – Valentine Sports Park – against Central Coast Mariners in a morning kick-off on Sunday.
Sunday shapes up as a vital clash in the makeup of the top five. Central Coast hold down fifth spot currently, after their 6-1 demolition of St George FC. SD Raiders FC may be seventh, but they’re three points out of the finals, but their 4-nil success against Inter Lions has them ready for battle.
SD Raiders FC showed a much more clinical mindset against Inter Lions. In the words of coach Terry Gray they had “courage to risk missing and had more shots on goal.” The Raiders will need goals against a Mariners side scoring for fun recently and in Sarah Mandile and Kirilee Cook, they have two talents to dominate the contest.
The Mariners have rode through the rough waters of the early part of the season, now the visitors have won four straight to sail into the top five. Central Coast have scored 20 goals during that streak, led by Gabrielle Blanch and Danielle Wise. That sets up Sunday perfectly as a fascinating spectacle to see how the ladder shakes out.
Western NSW Mariners vs Sutherland Shire FA, Sunday 9 June, 1:05pm, Sir Jack Brabham Park
Two sides trying to get back on their feet clash in Orange in the early afternoon kick-off this weekend. Western NSW Mariners host Sutherland Shire FA at Sir Jack Brabham Park.
It has been a horror fortnight for Sutherland Shire FA. Since their victory against Gladesville which put them clear at the top, they have dropped games against Marconi and APIA, the latter was a 3-1 loss on Sunday night which dropped them to third.
The Mariners have also been in a rough trot. Since they shared the points with SD Raiders in a 0-0 draw in early May, it has been four losses. Home comforts and a genuine gamebreaker in Anna Hunt might see them spring an upset and keep the faint hopes alive.
Sutherland Shire FA may be down on their luck but they have some superb talent to fall back on. Jordan Baker, Nicole Besz and Maddison Famer is enough talent to allow them to find the right note again, get themselves back amongst the top two.
Inter Lions vs Marconi Stallions, Sunday 9 June, 3pm, Concord Oval
Looking to get back on track, sixth place Marconi Stallions head to Concord Oval to take on Inter Lions on Sunday afternoon.
The Stallions had their winning run halted in surprising fashion. Marconi took an early early lead before they fell 3-2 to Nepean FC to fall out of the top five. Inter Lions battled hard but fell 4-nil to SD Raiders at home last weekend.
Coach Matt Turvey was honest in his post-game assessment that his side weren’t at their fluid best against Nepean FC. Sunday represents a chance at redemption for the side. Jasmin Courtenay remains finding the back of the net, leading the Golden Boot race, alongside the bright work of Ceyda Cambaz and Demelza Howard beside her make them a tough task for the Lions.
Inter Lions remain rock bottom but as the season has moved into the second act, they have started to gel and building a base for the upcoming seasons. They can still play spoiler for the rest of the year, and if the Stallions aren’t at their best again, the Lions can move off the bottom.
Nepean FC vs Gladesville Ravens, Sunday 9 June, 3pm, Cook Park
There is a heavyweight clash to play out at the foot of the mountains. Nepean FC host ladder leaders Gladesville Ravens at Cook Park in the pick of the 3pm clashes on Sunday.
Both sides come off victories in their recent bouts. Nepean FC held firm in a 3-2 success against Marconi Stallions in the Match of the Round. Gladesville Ravens remain top of the tree after a 5-nil result down in Nowra against Southern Branch FC.
Nepean FC has cut a swathe through the NPLNSW 2 Womens competition in recent weeks, riding a run of ten games unbeaten to get breathing room in fourth. Adding some steel to Nepean FC is midfielder Madison Mccomasky – who scored a pair of volleys in the last fortnight – and the returning Annie Halls to prime themselves for the end of season rumble for the final positions.
While Gladesville Ravens are light on numbers, they are well stocked for spirit. The leaders have plenty of goalscoring talent in Amelia Vitek and Kasia Wojtowicz to see them through. The confidence upfront is helped by having Eri Arikawa between the sticks to keep them in contests. So, we’re set for a barnburner on Sunday afternoon.
Southern Branch FC vs APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC, Sunday 9 June, 3pm, South Nowra Football Complex
APIA Leichhardt Tigers are seeking the baker’s dozen of victories as they travel to South Nowra Football Complex, to take on Southern Branch FC.
The Tigers were back to their vibrant best in a 3-1 result against Sutherland Shire FA which moved them into second spot on the NPLNSW 2 Womens ladder. Southern Branch FC were swept aside 5-nil by Gladesville Ravens last weekend.
Since her move from Canberra last season, Ash Palombi has been the constant cog in the APIA Leichhardt Tigers machine. The goalscorer has 14 goals this term, and has struck up a wonderful combination with Logan Garard, as the Tigers look to pounce on their opponents.
St George FC vs UNSW FC, Sunday 9 June, 6:30pm, St George Stadium
Now on a roll, UNSW FC head down to St George stadium, taking on fellow strugglers St George FC in the night cap for this weekend’s round of action for the long weekend.
The students recorded back-to-back victories with their close 1-nil success in Mudgee while St George FC were thumped 6-1 against Central Coast as they remain in 11th place.
Much of the turnaround for UNSW FC has come with the form of Darcey Read and leadership of captain Hayley Marshall. The pair has helped the side to spring into ninth, possibly eyeing their third-straight win against St George.
For St George, they earnt a point in a wild 3-3 draw last time out against UNSW FC, so the home side will fancy themselves to grab more points. Goalkeeper Lani Dodd has been in good form and the goalscoring threats of Amy Bennett and Yadira Renfigo, make them a tough matchup.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
