Round 4 Preview – NPL 2 NSW Women’s
Round 4 has some tasty match-ups in store for the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens competition as we head into the final month of winter.
There are five games in the slate which include potential marker for top four prospects and contests which will help shake out the final standings.
Southern Branch FC vs UNSW FC, Sunday 9th August, 1:05pm, South Nowra Football Complex
Time for an excursion. UNSW FC head to Nowra on Sunday afternoon to take on a refreshed Southern Branch FC down at South Nowra Football Complex.
Last weekend saw UNSW FC fall to their first defeat of the restart, 6-nil, to a rampant North Shore Mariners side. Southern Branch FC were able to bask in their first point of the season back in Round 2 against Gladesville Ravens.
Southern Branch FC showed they won’t be a pushover this season. The young, enthusiastic side flew out to a 2-nil lead before they were pegged back. They will look to captain Meredith Cheyne to keep them motivated and possibly overturn the students.
Sunday won’t be a walk in the park for UNSW FC. South Nowra Football Complex isn’t the easiest trip for sides and games like these are crucial to keep up their momentum. Bouncing back after a bad result is a sign of a good sign – will the students turn the corner this season and get back on the horse.
Nepean FC vs St George FC, Sunday 9th August, 3pm, Cook Park
Full of confidence, St George FC head to Cook Park looking to continue the heartache of Nepean FC on Sunday afternoon.
The Saints come off a close 1-nil result against the lowly Inter Lions whilst Nepean FC found the going tough against Sutherland Shire FA down at Harrie Denning Centre.
St George FC sit inside the top four as we move quickly to the halfway mark of the season. The work of Tulley McEvoy has been at the fulcrum of the revival for them. Another three points will put them well on course for a top four finish this year.
For Nepean FC, they just want to get moving. It was a tough back-to-back to open up the season with losses to Central Coast and Sutherland Shire FA.
Inter Lions vs Sutherland Shire FA, Sunday 9th August, 3pm, Majors Bay Reserve
Inter Lions look to kickstart their season against the high-flying Sutherland Shire FA side at Majors Bay Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
Perennial achievers Sutherland Shire FA went on their merry way with a comfortable 2-nil success against Nepean FC last Sunday. Inter Lions were resolute but fell to a 1-nil defeat against St George FC in Rockdale.
On paper, this looks like a simple result for Sutherland Shire FA who have been solid in both their fixtures thus far and have firepower across their front three. Inter Lions dug deep last weekend and a similar effort could see them cause what in this shortened season would be a monumental upset.
Central Coast Mariners vs Marconi Stallions, Sunday 9th August, 3pm, Pluim Park
We have a blockbuster on our hands on the coast! Central Coast Mariners welcome Marconi Stallions to Pluim Park on Sunday afternoon for a top four clash.
Both teams come off huge results headed into Sunday. Central Coast Mariners put Gladesville Ravens to the sword 6-nil whilst Marconi Stallions conceded the first goal then fired in five straight against SD Raiders FC.
The Stallions will be better for the run after their first 90 minutes of the campaign. Ceyda Cambaz was clinical as ever with her pair of second half strikes and her combination with Tania Baban and Danielle Bishop will be need to be shut down by the Mariners defense.
Central Coast Mariners know their structure, style and how to win games. Dan Barrett will have his side prepared to deal with the potent Stallions attack. Barrett will hope they bend don’t break and can find their strike weapons on the counter to snatch the points.
North Shore Mariners vs Gladesville Ravens, Sunday 9th August, 3pm, Northbridge Oval
The rampaging North Shore Mariners aim to keep their unbeaten record against last year’s champions Gladesville Ravens at Northbridge Oval on Sunday afternoon.
Coming into the weekend, both sides are at opposite ends of the scales. North Shore Mariners have scored nine goals since the competition’s return and sit in second spot. Gladesville Ravens have endured a horror run and were beaten 6-nil in their latest game against Central Coast.
This season has been one blow after another for the Ravens. They lost Annalise Schiraldi in the lead up to last week’s game alongside the ongoing absences makes for a long road ahead. One thing that remains for the reigning champions is their spirit and keep them in the contest this weekend.
Evelyn Chronis has been the star of the first two performances for North Shore Mariners. She has fired home five goals and will be a menace for the Ravens defense to contend with. Add in Hannah Beard and Rochelle Johnson and it is a big job upcoming for the Ravens.
SD Raiders FC have the bye
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
