Round 5 Preview – NPL 2 NSW Women’s
We’ve almost hit the halfway point of the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens competition and we’re starting to sort the contenders from the pretenders.
Round 5 offers up five fantastic football contests to help shake out the competition ladder.
Southern Branch FC vs North Shore Mariners, Sunday 16 August, 1:05pm, South Nowra Football Complex
Kicking off the weekend is a trip to Nowra. North Shore Mariners take their undefeated season beachside to take on a well-rested Southern Branch FC side Sunday afternoon.
The Mariners had to be dogged, dig deep and came out with a 2-nil win against Gladesville Ravens to keep their hot start going. Southern Branch FC were off for a second weekend in a row after their fixture was washed out.
North Shore Mariners do the trip from Nowra to the Central Coast in the next fortnight before they host four of their last five at home. Coach Grant Lee will be glad to have this fixture to help keep the side chugging along before the long run in.
Sutherland Shire FA vs Central Coast Mariners, Sunday 16 August, 3pm, Harrie Denning Centre
We have another heavyweight clash primed for Sunday afternoon. Undefeated Sutherland Shire FA tangle with Central Coast Mariners at Harrie Denning Centre.
The good times kept rolling for Sutherland Shire FA with their 8-nil thumping of Inter Lions on a wet Sunday afternoon. Central Coast were disappointed to go down 1-nil against a vibrant Marconi Stallions side at Pluim.
After last weekend’s defeat, another clash against a top four side will be good for the Mariners side. Barret’s side went away from their system last weekend, so they will tighten up and be the sternest test yet for the home side.
Sutherland Shire FA have fired on all cylinders since the restart. Maddison Farmer scored a bag against the Lions and her combination with Jordan Baker will want to fill their boots again. Three points on the weekend will shore up their spot at the top as well.
UNSW FC vs Marconi Stallions, Sunday 16 August, 3pm, Seymour Shaw
The Stallions look to continue their trot to the top with a visit to Seymour Shaw to face UNSW FC in a vital clash on Sunday afternoon.
Marconi Stallions made it back-to-back successes with a 1-nil result against fellow contenders Central Coast Mariners. The Students were washed out against Southern Branch FC and will be fresh to take on the Stallions.
UNSW FC will be glad to just get back to football after missing out last weekend down in Nowra. It gives coach Steve Greenwood a chance to work to ways to limit the rampant Stallions. Custodian Nadine Knight might have a busy afternoon but if she can repel the Stallions attack it gives them a fighting chance.
Findings goals hasn’t been a problem for the Stallions in their time in NPL2 Womens but now, the south-west side has tightened up their defense. Renee Tomkins on her first start of the season gave them leadership from the back and freed up their potent attack which included Ceyda Cambaz to fire.
St George FC vs SD Raiders FC, Sunday 16 August, 3pm, St George Stadium
Two sides ready to get themselves going again, St George FC take on SD Raiders FC down where the city meets the sea at St George Stadium Sunday afternoon.
Both sides come into the contest down in form. St George FC were downed 2-nil against a spirited Nepean FC side. For SD Raiders FC, they got a weekend off due to the bye after their 5-1 loss to Marconi the weekend before.
The Saints have shown marked improvement from last season, now the home side look to move back into the top four against the 10th place SD Raiders. They will need Tulley McEvoy and Amy Bennett on form to bank their third win of the season.
SD Raiders FC won’t be an easy out though. Terry Gray’s side have inched closer to a win each week. The threat of Sarah Mandile up top makes them a chance on the counter. If they can sustain their effort for the whole game, could be see them get off the slide.
Gladesville Ravens vs Inter Lions, Sunday 16 August, 6pm, Christie Park
Gladesville Ravens aim to get their first win of the season as they host Inter Lions in the Round 5 night cap at Christie Park on Sunday night.
Whilst both sides were on the losing end last weekend, it came in differing fashion. The Ravens blunted the Mariners attack for 80 minutes before falling 2-nil in monsoon conditions. Inter Lions were beaten 8-nil by Sutherland Shire FA at home.
The Ravens have become masters of the set piece. Between Carlie Ikonomou and Georgia Vlangos can trouble any side with corners and free-kicks. In the depth of winter, they will make it difficult for the Lions defense on the weekend and get off their duck egg.
Inter Lions prop up the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens competition and need to find themselves a positive to get through the rest of the season. Against the out of sorts Ravens, if they can hold tight, it might be time for the Lions to roar.
Nepean FC has the bye
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
