Round 2 Preview – NPL 2 NSW Women’s
The week one nerves are out of the way in the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens competition and teams have settled into a rhythm.
Round 2 brings another feast of football to dig into across Sunday afternoon with five fixtures to savour.
Sit back and enjoy the football this weekend!
Match of the Round: Nepean FC vs UNSW FC, Sunday 11 April, 3pm, Cook Park
This week’s Match of the Round heads west as Nepean FC hosts UNSW FC on Sunday afternoon at Cook Park.
Both sides come into the clash off winning form. Nepean FC were comfortable in their result against South East Phoenix FC while UNSW FC were balanced scoring in both halves to defeat Gladesville Ravens at ES Marks field.
Nepean FC always build their game on a solid defense. Coach Alan Tasses will be delighted to open the season with a positive result. Now, eyeing a return to the finals it was pleasing to see two stalwarts in Stef Trovato and Imogen Lane hopefully kick off a run of goals last weekend.
For the students, it is all about stacking results together. They have shown in previous seasons, the ability to secure big results but not follow up. Ashley Blayney kicked off campaign with a goal and if she can net again, can help them get back-to-back wins for the first time since Round 2 last year.
Sutherland Shire FA vs Central Coast Mariners, Sunday 11 April, 3pm, Harrie Denning Centre
Ready to go this season, Sutherland Shire FA start their season with a home fixture against Central Coast Mariners down at Harrie Denning Centre Sunday afternoon.
Starting off the season with the bye isn’t ideal but the Sutherland Shire FA are ready to go and keep up their tradition of finals appearances this season. Central Coast dust themselves off after their loss to Champions Northbridge Bulls and continue their road trip.
Being in a ‘regeneration’ year, Sutherland Shire FA will aim to be competitive all season. The home side made Harrie Denning Centre into a fortress in the last few seasons and aim to make it tough for teams to earn anything from their trips there in 2021.
Central Coast Mariners have been knocked down and got back up again plenty of times across their tenure in the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens. You won’t keep a Dan Barrett side down as they aim to get off the duck egg for the season.
Marconi Stallions vs Gladesville Ravens, Sunday 11 April, 3pm, Marconi Stadium
It is back to the Palace again for Marconi Stallions as they welcome Gladesville Ravens to Marconi Stadium for their clash on Sunday afternoon.
The opening weekend didn’t go to plan for either Marconi or Gladesville. Both sides suffered losses with Marconi losing to St George FC and Gladesville Ravens peppered the UNSW FC goal but came away with a 2-nil loss.
It won’t be panic stations for Andy Severin and his Marconi Stallions. They showed plenty in their defeat with the combination of Ceyda Cambaz and Tahlie Walton raided the wings of the Saints. A similar performance should see the runner’s up open up their account for the season.
Similarly, the Ravens won’t have their wings clipped too much after the opening contest. They will have to dig deep against the Stallions again. Zoe Zaczek and Eleanor Lidbetter will be key for the Ravens to soar high.
South East Phoenix FC vs SD Raiders FC, Sunday 11 April, 3pm, South Nowra Football Complex
SD Raiders FC take the longest trip in the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens as they travel to South Nowra Football Complex to face South East Phoenix FC.
After their opening day success against Inter Lions, SD Raiders FC aim to go back-to-back against the most distant National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens side. South East Phoenix FC were valiant in defeat against Nepean FC.
Under new stewardship, SD Raiders FC showed their ability to adapt in their second half onslaught last weekend. Regular fixture on the scoresheet Sarah Mandile opened her account showing a forward thinking SD Raiders FC side who will keen to make it two wins on the trot.
Despite the result, there were positive signs for South East Phoenix FC last weekend. They battled hard and never gave up the fight against Nepean FC. They will need a repeat dose if they are able to match it with SD Raiders on Sunday.
St George FC vs Northbridge Bulls, Sunday 11 April, 3pm, St George Stadium
Fresh from their upset to open the season, St George FC face another big test with a game against the reigning Champions Northbridge Bulls on Sunday afternoon.
The Saints showed they will be there when the whips are cracking after a pulsating 3-2 success against last year’s Grand Finals Marconi Stallions. It was business as usual for Northbridge Bulls who swept aside Central Coast Mariners 4-2.
Much of the plaudits went to Jordan Baker for her hat-trick last week but against a star studded Stallions attack, the job both Sarah Nachar and Amy Bennett did in the middle helped them to the win. Now, they need to repeat that dose against the Bulls.
Fitting that Wrestlemania is coming up this weekend. Northbridge’s current run is akin to the legendary streak which The Undertaker had at the showcase event. The Bulls attack was on parade against the Mariners with Evelyn Chronis and Rita Boateng both scoring and it might be a busy afternoon for Saints shot stopper Chloe Avgoustou.
Inter Lions have the bye
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
