Round 11 Preview – NPL 2 NSW Women’s
Like the Black Eyed Peas, the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens has met us halfway right at the borderline of the midpoint of the season.
The first half has filled us with thrills, spills and Sunday results which make it a hard act to follow.
The five matches which kick off Round 11 see us move towards seeing which sides will fill out the top five come the end of the year.
Match of the Round: SD Raiders FC vs Marconi Stallions, Sunday 13 June, 4pm, Ernie Smith Reserve
Top five hopefuls SD Raiders FC and Marconi Stallions feature in this week’s Match of the Round at Ernie Smith Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
Both sides head into the game in some good form, SD Raiders FC swept away Sutherland Shire FA 2-nil in a comfortable win at Ernie Smith Reserve while Marconi Stallions were pegged back in a 1-1 draw against heavyweight side Nepean FC.
The Stallions might have lacked some results this year, but their attack has looked as potent as ever, now just need some goals and a big result to back it up. Being the first side to win at Ernie Smith Reserve could catapult them closer to the top three and both Tania Baban and Ceyda Cambaz will be key to them strutting their stuff in this Match of the Round.
By contrast, SD Raiders FC are flying high in both confidence and results which has them neck and neck with last year’s Champions Northbridge Bulls FC. A consistent presence in their midfield, Kristi Pavlicevic helps to keep the young side ticking along and primed for a top five spot. Sunday will be a mouth-watering fixture for the top five fight.
Nepean FC vs Sutherland Shire FA, Sunday 13 June, 3pm, Cook Park
Second placed Nepean FC welcome Sutherland Shire FA to the formidable Cook Park in Sydney’s west for a tough clash on Sunday afternoon.
Back at Cook Park, Nepean FC will hope to get back in the win column after their tense 1-1 draw against fellow contenders Marconi Stadium away. Sutherland Shire FA were brought back to earth in a 2-nil defeat against a rambunctious SD Raiders FC side.
Nepean FC weren’t at their vibrant best last weekend, so coach Alan Tasses will have his side ready to fire back at their home ground and help consolidate their spot in the top five. One of the home side’s warriors this season is custodian Sarah Easthope who has kept five clean sheets this season and gives their attack the room to flourish.
For Sutherland Shire FA, they are always up for the contest and will bring their effort to Cook Park but need to also need goals to upset Nepean FC. The visitors will need to file behind their captain Genevieve Nisbet and charge forward on Sunday.
UNSW FC vs Inter Lions, Sunday 13 June, 3pm, ES Marks Field
Two sides fighting to keep their hopes alive tussle when UNSW FC host Inter Lions down at ES Marks Field on Sunday afternoon.
The students started fine going a goal ahead before they were pegged back in a 1-1 draw against South East Phoenix FC down in Nowra while Inter Lions fell victim a free-scoring St George FC side in a 7-nil loss at their home in Majors Bay Reserve.
Both sides won’t enjoy their current placement in the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens competition but we’re only at the halfway marker, so there is time for them to rocket themselves up the ladder. Inter Lions were blown away last week in a six-goal first half but if they can put together a 90 minute performance, might get themselves off their duck egg.
The Students remain five points adrift from the top five and they need to revise their targets quickly for the rest of the 2021 season. Last year, UNSW FC were stronger in the second half of the season and back at ES Marks Field can be the launching point for a similar charge in 2021.
Central Coast Mariners vs St George FC, Sunday 13 June, 3pm, Pluim Park
League leaders St George FC head up the highway to take on Central Coast Mariners in an intriguing contest at Pluim Park on Sunday afternoon.
After a weekend away from the frantic action of the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens competition Central Coast Mariners are back on the field and face a tough task to lower the flag of a St George FC side which won 7-nil against bottom placed Inter Lions last weekend.
The Saints flexed their muscles in their huge win last weekend and a lot of the good work for their potent forward line comes through midfield, Sarah Nachar. She also picked up a goal in the performance and a repeat performance will see them maintain their status as the team to beat.
Central Coast Mariners can make some headway on the top five this weekend, but they need to take down one of the giants of the competition in St George FC. Emily Diaz has been a revelation for the yellow-and-navy and is their main goal contributor. If she can find the back of the net Sunday, it might help them towards a positive result.
Northbridge Bulls FC vs South East Phoenix FC, Sunday 13 June, 3:30pm, Northbridge Oval
Northbridge Bulls look to keep their form going when they welcome South East Phoenix FC to Northbridge Oval on Sunday afternoon.
These two sides come into the contest at different ends of the table but both feeling positive after their last result. Northbridge Bulls FC left it late to beat Gladesville Ravens 3-2 while South East Phoenix FC struck back in the second half to draw 1-1 against UNSW FC.
Under new management, Northbridge Bulls looked much more like the side which mowed through the competition last season. Elizabeth Grey who scored twice last weekend is a huge weapon at set pieces for the Bulls and will need to be watched on corners and free kicks.
After a huge run of outs, South East Phoenix FC found the middle of their bat again against UNSW FC and it gives them something to take into this trip to the north shore. Bronte Trew is their main weapon in attack and might need to find the back of the net to help them succeed on Sunday afternoon.
Gladesville Ravens have the bye
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
