Round 9 Preview – NPL 2 NSW Women’s
Heading into Round 9 of the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens competition, the fight for the top five continues in a furious selection of fixtures on Sunday afternoon.
Headlining the action is the Match of the Round between UNSW FC and Marconi Stallions
Match of the Round: UNSW FC vs Marconi Stallions, Sunday 30 May, 3pm, ES Marks Field
This week’s Match of the Round sees UNSW FC take on Marconi Stallions at ES Marks Field on a fine Sunday afternoon in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
The students will be refreshed after having a weekend off with the bye which will help them cram for their examination against a top five side. Marconi Stallions huffed and puffed but couldn’t find a winner in a 0-0 draw against Sutherland Shire FA.
Marconi Stallions did everything but find the back of the net at home last week with their two key weapons in Tania Baban and Ceyda Cambaz in form. While their attack takes the plaudits, the Stallions defense helmed by Samantha Huynh and Daniela Brekic who will make it tough for the students to pass them towards goal.
UNSW FC showed in their 1-1 draw against Champions Northbridge Bulls before their bye that they aren’t a pushover against anyone. Eve Hess has been a vital cog in the side and scored their penalty in that game and hopefully that success might push them forward against last year’s Grand Finalists.
Nepean FC vs Gladesville Ravens, Sunday 30 May, 3pm, Cook Park
High flying Nepean FC host Gladesville Ravens at fortress Cook Park in a mouthwatering fixture which will have big top five implications on Sunday afternoon.
Both sides come into the contest off fantastic victories where Nepean FC triumphed 3-nil against bottom placed Inter Lions while Gladesville Ravens fell behind but surged back to win 3-1 against Central Coast Mariners to keep themselves in the hunt.
Cook Park has become a fortress again for Alan Tasses’ side. They have scored eight goals in their three wins at the venue and Nepean FC aim to use that form to fire them back to finals contention. Annie Halls has been dynamite in the midfield and will help them dominate in a similar performance to last week against Inter Lions.
Gladesville Ravens have found that scoring feeling again. Earlier this season, they were creating chances but unable to take them which cost them some vital points in games. The return of Annalise Schiraldi will help alongside the twin performances of Keiko Tanaka and Elizabeth Gilbane in a huge fixture.
Central Coast Mariners vs Inter Lions, Sunday 30 May, 3pm, Pluim Park
Central Coast Mariners head back to Pluim Park to face Inter Lions in a vital clash to play out on Sunday afternoon.
Two sides looking to get off their slides will do battle on Sunday afternoon. Central Coast Mariners fell to a 3-1 defeat against a soaring Gladesville Ravens while Inter Lions were defeated again against heavyweights Nepean FC.
The Mariners were hit by injuries which didn’t help in their defeat against Gladesville but coach Dan Barrett will have them pumped up for this contest. They still have Jordan Evans which will help them to keep them in the hunt for the top five.
Inter Lions will hope to find something to sustain themselves for the second half of the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens competition. New Inter Lions coach Michael Cunningham will inject some new life into the squad and hopefully get some results for his new club.
South East Phoenix FC vs Sutherland Shire FA, Sunday 30 May, 3pm, South Nowra Football Complex
A resurgent Sutherland Shire FA make the trip down the highway to South Nowra Football Complex to face off against South East Phoenix FC on Sunday afternoon.
Coming in this game, Sutherland Shire FA are feeling just fine after their recent results which included their 0-0 draw against a strong Marconi Stallions so they’ve gotta be down to keep going! South East Phoenix FC were thrashed 8-nil against St George FC at home.
The last fortnight has been a success for Sutherland Shire FA. They have picked up four points against Inter Lions and Marconi Stallions which will please their coaches. Genevieve Nisbet will fancy her side’s chance to break into the top five with another big result down by the beach.
For South East Phoenix FC, the season is slowly sliding away, and they definitely maybe need to find a result in the next few fixtures. They will look for Bronte Trew to produce some champagne in front of goal to upset a resurgent Sutherland Shire FA.
St George FC vs SD Raiders FC, Sunday 30 May, 3pm, St George Stadium
Rounding out Round 9 is an intriguing clash between the undefeated St George FC and a gusty SD Raiders FC side down at St George Stadium.
The Saints took their winning streak to seven with an eight-goal thumping of South East Phoenix FC down in Nowra last weekend. SD Raiders FC showed tremendous fight in their 1-1 draw against last year’s Champions Northbridge Bulls FC.
St George FC are charging towards the Premiership with a five-point break on the rest of the competition and looking to keep the good times rolling back at historic St George Stadium. Jordan Baker has been their top marksman this season with 11 and aim to add further against SD Raiders FC.
It won’t be a pushover against SD Raiders FC. Coach Anthony McFadden has them well drilled and believing they can compete against any team in the league. McFadden also has a potent striker in Sarah Mandile at his disposal who will need to be on form in an intriguing clash on Sunday afternoon.
Northbridge Bulls FC have the bye
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
