Round 10 Preview – NPL 2 NSW Women’s

We head into the penultimate round of the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens competition with some fantastic football ready to light up Sunday afternoon.

Four fabulous fixtures await headlined by a clash between the two undefeated sides and other teams looking to leave a mark on this season.

Match of the Round: North Shore Mariners vs Sutherland Shire FA, Sunday 20 September, 3:30pm, Northbridge Oval

Our standout fixture of the weekend might be a dress rehearsal for the semi-finals between the last two undefeated sides in North Shore Mariners and Sutherland Shire FA at Northbridge Oval.

Both teams hold superb form lines headed into the top of the table clash. North Shore Mariners warmed up with a 9-nil thrashing of St George FC. Sutherland Shire FA also won to nil, putting five past Gladesville Ravens at home.

These two sides enter the weekend undefeated and look to land a preliminary blow before the upcoming finals series. It is a contest which features the top two scorers in Evelyn Chronis (14) for Mariners and Jordan Baker (10) regarding Sutherland Shire FA to whet the appetite for this clash.

The big decider for this contest might be between the sticks. Both sides are attacking powerhouses and they will lean heavily on their shot stoppers to stifle the attack. Trudy Burke was in rare form in North Shore’s contest vs Marconi with several highlight reels saves while Chloe Avgoustou is a veteran NPL2 Womens custodian ready to blunt the mighty Mariners.

In a year which has featured plenty of challenges both on and off field, Sunday shapes up as a bright spot and a mouth-watering contest between two sides that have eyes on the main prize in 2020.

Gladesville Ravens vs UNSW FC, Sunday 20 September, 3pm, Christie Park

Last year’s champions Gladesville Ravens look to finish their slate of home games against a stubborn UNSW FC side at Christie Park on Sunday afternoon.

Coming into the weekend, both sides were on the losing side of the ledger in Round 9. Gladesville Ravens were beaten 5-nil against Sutherland Shire FA whilst UNSW FC featured in the Match of the Round, losing 1-nil to Nepean FC.

UNSW FC has been on the wrong side of plenty of tight contests in 2020 but it will help their development for the future. Francesca Fernandez was bright in their loss but her delivery from the set piece might be key to clipping the Ravens wings.

Ravens head into the final fortnight of their reign, they look to put an inconsistent season behind them with a positive result in their final home game. Carlie Ikonomou has been the metronome for the Ravens performance and alongside Zoe Zaczek and Kasia Wojtowicz can help them soar.

SD Raiders FC vs Inter Lions, Sunday 20 September, 3pm, Ernie Smith Reserve

Back at Ernie Smith Reserve, SD Raiders FC aim to get back in the winner’s column against Inter Lions on Sunday afternoon in Sydney’s South-West.

Whilst both sides might have lost last weekend, they remain hopeful for Sunday. SD Raiders FC pushed Central Coast Mariners but fell to a 1-nil defeat. Inter Lions were on the wrong side of a 9-nil result against North Shore Mariners.

The vibe remains positive in Liverpool. SD Raiders FC sit eighth but have been in every contest in this shortened season. Having a fixture against lowly Inter Lions might be the time for the home side to get their reward for a season of effort and send the home fans away happy.

The end of the line for this wretched season is nigh for Inter Lions. Two more games for 2020 and they can move upwards for next season. Inter Lions might fancy their chances at Ernie Smith and get themselves off the dreaded duck egg.

St George FC vs Marconi Stallions, Sunday 20 September, 3pm, St George Stadium

Down at the stadium by the sea, St George FC welcome a hungry Marconi Stallions side to St George Stadium for their contest on Sunday afternoon.

The Stallions are refreshed after the bye last weekend and ready to consolidate their spot in the top four whilst St George FC try to avoid a repeat of their 9-nil result against North Shore Mariners at home this weekend.

Marconi are better drawers than Mr Squiggle after their action-packed fourth draw of the season against North Shore Mariner a fortnight ago. The barometer for their work usually comes from their attacking duo – Tania Baban and Ceyda Cambaz – if they are clinical it might be a long afternoon ahead.

Whilst the season has slipped away from the Saints. They have shown in 2020 some improvement over the last few seasons and sit deservedly in seventh. St George FC will look to cause some upset in the last fortnight and shake up the top four.

Nepean FC & Central Coast Mariners have the bye

By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)