Round 8 Preview – NPL 2 NSW Women’s
Round 8 promises to be another action-packed weekend of National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens competition. We have five fabulous feats of footballing festivities to delight across Sunday afternoon which will help to shape the top five as the season continues to chug along.
Gladesville Ravens vs Central Coast Mariners, Sunday 23 May, 3pm, Christie Park
Kicking off Super Sunday is an intriguing clash between Gladesville Ravens and Central Coast Mariners at Christie Park in the sunshine on Sunday afternoon.
The two sides come into the contest off varying results. Gladesville Ravens showed grit but fell away late against St George FC 3-1 down by the sea. Central Coast Mariners tonked South East Phoenix FC, 5-1 on the central coast.
Mariners coach Dan Barrett was pleased with his side’s attack in their four-goal win and praised it as their “slickest” and the whole performance has given Barrett the areas which the side need to improve on to move into the finals. Helping their cause is the goal scoring feats of Emily Diaz and Annalise Rasmussen to hopefully fire them to victory.
Gladesville Ravens might be sat in 8th spot but they have found their form in recent weeks shown by taking it to league leaders St George FC in their loss. Elizabeth Gilbane and Taylor Mikaelian will need to patrol the midfield if they are to get something against the yellow-and-navy.
Inter Lions vs Nepean FC, Sunday 23 May, 3pm, Majors Bay Reserve
Inter Lions have had a rough trot and it doesn’t get much easier with the visit of a rampaging Nepean FC to Majors Bay Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
Rock bottom Inter Lions were on the wrong side of the ledger again Sunday in the 6-nil loss to Sutherland Shire FA down at Harrie Denning Centre. Nepean FC returned to form with a tight 1-nil success against SD Raiders FC.
It wasn’t a vintage performance, but Nepean FC got back on track last week which pleased coach Alan Tasses as they chase a return to finals football. Between Stefanie Trovato, Imogen Lane and the work in midfield from Caitlin Bass, Nepean should rattle off another win.
The light at the end of tunnel might be far away for Inter Lions. The next month is a tough stretch for the Lions side where they face Nepean, Central Coast, leaders St George FC and UNSW FC. If they can pick up any points from that sequence it would make the start of their bounce up the table.
Marconi Stallions vs Sutherland Shire FA, Sunday 23 May, 3pm, Marconi Stadium
Refreshed and ready for action, Marconi Stallions face Sutherland Shire FA at Marconi Stadium in an interesting clash on Sunday afternoon.
Marconi Stallions have had a fortnight break with rain and the bye conspiring to keep them off the field but it gifted them a chance to freshen up. Sutherland Shire FA had their shooting boots on in their 6-nil clobbering of Inter Lions.
Coming off the break, Stallions coach Andy Severin will be ready to get back into the action and pleased the side has maintained their position in the top five. Striker Tania Baban will aim to add to her impressive goal tally for 2021 and cement the Stallions top five credentials.
The green sprouts of rebirth have begun at Sutherland Shire FA and it was shown in the hat-trick from youngster Lacie Bowling alongside superb performances from Isabella Georgievski and captain Genevieve Nisbet. They will need another complete performance to trouble the Stallions and make it back-to-back successes.
South East Phoenix FC vs St George FC, Sunday 23 May, 3pm, South Nowra Football Complex
It’s time for a road trip for St George FC. The league leaders make the trip to Nowra to face South East Phoenix FC on Sunday afternoon.
The Saints have kept on their hot streak with a 3-1 success against Gladesville Ravens to take their run to six games to open the season. South East Phoenix FC were blown away by Central Coast Mariners 5-1 at Pluim Park.
Back at home after a fortnight of away trips, South East Phoenix FC face a daunting task to take down St George FC. One thing in their favour is the form of Bronte Trew who is the leading scorer for the home side and might need a haul of goals and help from custodian Hannah Farrugia for one the season’s biggest upsets.
St George FC opened up a four-point break on the chasing pack after last weekend and they averaged three goals in most of their games thus far. Maddison Farmer has become a solid partner to Jordan Baker in attack and might profit again beachside.
SD Raiders FC vs Northbridge Bulls FC, Sunday 23 May, 4pm, Ernie Smith Reserve
Rounding off Round 8 is another blockbuster clash. SD Raiders FC welcome Premiers Northbridge Bulls FC to Ernie Smith Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
Both sides come off tough results headed into the massive clash. SD Raiders FC were defeated 1-nil in last weekend’s Match of the Round against Nepean FC while Northbridge Bulls FC were held in a 1-1 draw against UNSW FC.
It has been a rocky road thus far for Northbridge Bulls in the first two months of 2021. Last year’s Premiers have suffered two losses already when they were impenetrable in 2020. Coach Grant Lee has plenty of firepower at his disposal to help turn around their fortunes against a solid SD Raiders FC side.
For SD Raiders FC, coach Anthony McFadden has preached about style rather results for his side this season. That process will face one of it’s biggest tests against the Premiers and the work of Kristi Pavlicevic will be key to their success on the weekend.
UNSW FC has the bye
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
