Round 4 Preview – League One Women’s Preview
Round 4 in the Football NSW League One Womens competition hopefully won’t be another round blighted by wash outs so all eight exciting contests can go ahead this weekend.
There is local derbies and heavyweight clashes to enjoy in a round which is headlined by the Match of the Round being SD Raiders FC taking on Camden Tigers FC.
Match of the Round: SD Raiders FC vs Camden Tigers, Friday 11 March, 8:30pm, Western Sydney Wanderers Training Facility
This week’s Match of the Round sees the SD Raiders FC and Camden Tigers FC clash at the Western Sydney Wanderers training facility on Friday.
Both teams have started the 2022 season well but suffered their first defeats last weekend. Camden Tigers were beaten 8-0 against St George FC while SD Raiders lost a close one, 1-0 against Hills United FC.
Playing against SD Raiders FC at Ernie Smith Reserve isn’t something that visiting sides have relished over the years in League One Womens football. SD Raiders FC have kept a stable core in their side with proven goal scorers like Sarah Mandile and Trudy Camelleri set to test out the Tigers.
Camden Tigers will be chomping at the bit to get back on the field after their chastening defeat last weekend against one of the top teams. Having experienced campaigners like Ashlee Taff and Kristy Rohrer will help them shake off that result and hopefully roar to three points.
Central Coast Mariners vs Sutherland Shire FA, Sunday 13 March, 3pm, Pluim Park
Back on the Coast, Central Coast Mariners host Sutherland Shire FA in an important clash at Pluim Park on Sunday afternoon.
It will be welcome relief to both teams if they can get themselves on the field for this fixture after both having fixtures washed out in the last fortnight.
Central Coast Mariners will want to build on their lone win while Sutherland Shire FA hope to open their account for the season.
Central Coast Mariners might have been idle last weekend, but they did have some players represent Australia. Kiah Carmody, Jordyn Drysdale and Kyara O’Brien all played for the Australian Indigenous Koalas Women’s Team which will be great experience for them and give them a boost for their form back with the yellow-and-navy.
Sutherland Shire FA are another side who have a track record in bringing through young talent and the youthful side has a big task to get their first points this weekend against the Mariners. This includes Lacie Bowling and Isabella Georgievski who are both talented players.
Blacktown City FC vs Hills United FC, Sunday 13 March, 3pm, Blacktown City Sports Centre
Another round of local hostilities resume when Blacktown City FC host the undefeated Hills United FC at Blacktown City Sports Centre this weekend.
The visitors kept their perfect start to the season going with a close 1-0 result against SD Raiders FC at Bella Vista Public School. Blacktown City FC were amongst the teams sidelined due to the rain last weekend.
Blacktown City FC got their maiden victory against another Western Sydney side when they blew away Mt Druitt Town Rangers 3-0 two weeks ago. Now, they look to be the first side to lower the colours of Hills United FC this season in what will be a wonderful exhibition of football.
Hills United FC may not have their big guns due to injury recently, but coach Alan Tasses’ side has found ways to pick up the points, mostly due to goals from Ellen Berios. Tasses will have them prepared for another solid performance and keep themselves at the summit of the League One Womens competition.
This will be a huge day for Blacktown City as the club posts a double header following this huge Women’s clash their Men’s NPL NSW Men’s side kick’s off at 5pm when they take on local rival Mt Druitt Town Rangers.
Get out and support what will be a great day of football at the Blacktown City Sports Centre.
UNSW FC vs Mt Druitt Town Rangers, Sunday 13 March, 3pm, Seymour Shaw
UNSW FC look to continue their strong start with their game against Mt Druitt Town Rangers at Seymour Shaw.
The students were on course for another three points heading into stoppage time before they were forced to share the points in a 2-2 draw against Gladesville Ravens. Mt Druitt Town Rangers had their fixture against Marconi Stallions washed out.
UNSW FC have already established a good one-two punch in their strike force with Hannah Charak and Marcella Santos, who scored their goals against Gladesville Ravens. Coach Guillermo Rubio will hope the side will be able to take all three points this weekend.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers have had a rough start in their debut season with injuries and results not going their way in both their clashes thus far. The Rangers hope they can take those lessons and turn them into their first points of the season against a strong UNSW FC side.
Inter Lions FC vs Nepean FC, Sunday 13 March, 3pm, Majors Bay Reserve
Two sides searching for their win do battle at Majors Bay Reserve when Inter Lions host Nepean FC.
Nepean FC are searching for their first points of the season still after their recent 2-1 loss to newbies South Coast Flame FC in their second straight home game. Inter Lions FC’s fixture against South East Phoenix FC was washed out.
Inter Lions will be refreshed after the enforced break due to the weather and coach Michael Cunningham hopes it might help them get some fresh legs onto the pitch on Sunday. If they can get Jess Wootton and Chloe O’Brien firing it might be time to get the song sheets ready for the team song.
Meanwhile Nepean FC are still building themselves up after a complete changes in the off-season with a new coach and side coming together. They also have some firepower including last week’s goal scorer Annalise Schiraldi to get themselves some points in this vital clash.
Gladesville Ravens vs Marconi Stallions, Sunday 13 March, 3pm, Christie Park
Gladesville Ravens fly back to Christie Park to face Marconi Stallions in a heavyweight clash on Sunday afternoon.
The Ravens did well to earn themselves a point against a spirited UNSW FC outfit in a 2-2 draw in last week’s Match of the Round. The Stallions though had the weekend off as their match was washed out.
Marconi’s plans have been altered due to the constant rain in the last two weeks but they did get themselves a fighting 0-0 draw despite not much time on the training pitch against St George FC. When they have players like Ceyda Cambaz up front and custodian Renee Krstanovska, Marconi is a dangerous prospect to come up against.
Whilst Gladesville Ravens weren’t at their fluid best last week, they huffed and puffed and got themselves a point thanks to Keiko Tanaka. There is so much talent across the park for the Ravens but Maggie O’Reilly has become a vital part of the side in the opening weeks.
South East Phoenix FC vs South Coast Flame FC, Sunday 13 March, 3pm, Ison Park
Derby bragging rights will be on offer as South East Phoenix FC take on neighbours South Coast Flame FC in an interesting contest at Ison Park on Sunday afternoon.
It was a big day for South Coast Flame FC as they collected their first win in the League One Womens competition after they defeated Nepean FC 2-1. South East Phoenix FC had their game against Inter Lions washed out.
South Coast Flame shone brightly on the weekend getting three points but the new side has been impressive in all three of their games thus far . Coach Daniel Naumovski has the team well drilled and they have fitted in seamlessly.
For South East Phoenix FC, they prefer their home comfort and look to take the bragging rights against their local rivals. Phoenix have built a good squad that has shown that they can compete with double act Maddie Carter and Amanda Carney the dangers.
Northbridge Bulls FC vs St George FC, Sunday 13 March, 3:30pm, Valentine Sports Park #2
Rounding off the weekend is Northbridge Bulls FC taking on the undefeated St George FC side at Valentine Sports Park #2.
Both sides head into the contest in scintillating form after wins last weekend. Northbridge Bulls FC scored in either half to defeat Central Coast Mariners, 2-0 while St George FC won 8-0 against Camden Tigers in Camden.
This fixture last season is where St George FC announced themselves as a title challenger when they defeated the Bulls on their own turf. Hyped after their huge win, Jordan Baker and the Saints attackers will relish this opportunity.
Northbridge Bulls FC themselves come into this fixture fit and firing after back-to-back wins where they scored eight goals and only conceded two. Tamires Souza has hit the ground running with the ace attacker pushing hard for Golden Boot honours in a cracking start to the 2022 season.
-By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
