Round 5 Preview – League One Women’s
As the Football NSW League One Womens competition rounds the first bend in the winding road which will be a long season, teams will start to find their groove headed into Round 5. We have eight fabulous fixtures to help the ladder shake out.
Match of the Round: Hills United FC vs South Coast Flame FC, Sunday 20 March, 3:45pm, Bella Vista Public School
Undefeated Hills United FC host South Coast Flame FC down at Bella Vista Public School in an exciting clash on Sunday afternoon in the Match of the Round.
Hills United FC remain top of the League One Womens competition after their 5-0 success against Blacktown City FC while South Coast Flame are licking their wounds after a 5-2 defeat against South East Phoenix FC.
The hosts have really backed up their claims about “making history” with their magical start to life in League One Womens. Hills United FC have won four from four in the first month and have shown no signs of slowing down despite battling some injuries.
South Coast Flame will be burning after their defeat last week. It was the first time this season, they have suffered a heavy defeat. One positive was Jessica Cruickshank continuing her purple patch of goals with another strike. She will have to be watched by the Hills United FC defence.
Marconi Stallions vs Nepean FC, Sunday 20 March, 3pm, Marconi Stadium
Marconi Stallions face off against Nepean FC back home at Marconi Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Headed into this week, both teams will want to get back on the front foot. Marconi Stallions were dealt a cruel blow with a late penalty consigned them to a 2-1 loss against Gladesville Ravens. Nepean FC might not have scored but took a point in their 0-0 draw against Inter Lions FC.
Stallions coach Dino Severin will be singing rain, rain go away so he can get his side out on the training pitch and work on combinations for the contest. He will also hopefully welcome back some of his side who missed last week’s defeat.
Nepean FC have opened their account and now aim for more. The side has a lot of talent which has started to find their feet under the tutelage of Albert Di Sciascio. Nepean FC will need to be at their best to beat a side like Marconi Stallions.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers vs Northbridge Bulls FC, Sunday 20 March, 3pm, Popondetta Park
Playing their first game at Popondetta Park, Mt Druitt Town Rangers face a tough challenge against Northbridge Bulls FC on Sunday afternoon.
The Rangers have had a tough start to life in League One Womens after their 6-0 defeat to UNSW FC while Northbridge Bulls FC will be wounded after their 4-2 loss to another contender in St George FC at home.
Northbridge Bulls FC haven’t had the sparkling start they would’ve wanted to the League One Womens season. They will be keen to get themselves some confidence taking on the only side without a point thus far this season. There is enough attacking talent including livewire Rita Boateng to find the back of the net on the weekend.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers will relish being able to play at their home ground for the first time this year and hope it might spark them against the Champions. The Rangers have a tough assignment against the Bulls but will lean on the experience of Christine Granero to keep them in the contest.
Camden Tigers FC vs Central Coast Mariners FC, Sunday 20 March, 3pm, Ron Dine Stadium
Back at home, Camden Tigers take on Central Coast Mariners in an important game for both sides at Ron Dine Stadium.
These sides will be hoping to get back in the winner’s column after losses last week. Camden Tigers lost 3-1 in the Match of the Round while Central Coast Mariners led twice but fell 3-2 to Sutherland Shire FA on their home turf.
The Tigers will be glad to be back on home turf. They have taken four points from their home games thus far and want to bounce back. Ashlee Taff and Kristy Rohrer will be key to unpicking the stubborn Mariners defence.
Central Coast Mariners were disappointed to drop points after their strong start. Captain Kaitlin Murphy has led from the front for her side. She has found the back of the net a few times already this season and might eye off some more against the Tigers.
Sutherland Shire FA vs SD Raiders FC, Sunday 20 March, 3pm, Ernie Smith Reserve
Sutherland Shire FA buoyed by their last win head south west to face SD Raiders FC at Ernie Smith Reserve.
Both last start winners clash in an important game down in the shire. Sutherland Shire FA came from behind twice to beat Central Coast Mariners 3-2. SD Raiders FC triumphed 3-1 in last week’s Match of the Round.
SD Raiders FC were ruthless in the first half as they strode out to a 3-0 lead against Camden Tigers. Much of that was down to the stylish work of Rojin Polat. The attacker scored two fabulous goals and will be prime for another big performance on Sunday.
For Sutherland Shire FA, they will be on a high after their comeback win and ready to hopefully take another big scalp. The visitors do have a mid-week fixture to contend with against red hot UNSW FC team so they could move themselves up the ladder.
Gladesville Ravens vs Blacktown City FC, Sunday 20 March, 3pm, Christie Park
Gladesville Ravens are soaring as they welcome newcomers Blacktown City FC to Christie Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Ravens picked up a big three points against Marconi Stallions with a late penalty which gave them a 2-1 win last weekend. Blacktown City FC were handed a heavy defeat against Hills United FC, 5-0 in a local derby game.
Blacktown City FC are a young side but they haven’t been disgraced since their entry to the League One Womens competition. Coach David O’Keefe said the side has learnt some lessons from their first month and ready to implement them on the weekend.
For Gladesville Ravens, it will be about finding some consistency after taking points against UNSW FC and Marconi Stallions. They have a talented side including goal scorer Gemma Woolley, who fired home a brace last week and will want to add to her tally.
St George FC vs Inter Lions FC, Sunday 20 March, 3pm, Fraser Park
St George FC head back home to Fraser Park where they entertain Inter Lions FC on Sunday afternoon in an intriguing contest.
The Saints are coming off a high after their 4-2 win against Northbridge Bulls FC in a wild contest last weekend at Valentine Sports Park. Inter Lions FC picked up their first point in a 0-0 draw against fellow strugglers Nepean FC.
Much has been spoken about the St George FC attack in recent seasons. They have plundered goals for fun, but their success is also built off a strong defence. The Saints have kept four clean sheets already in 2022 and will aim for another against Inter Lions FC.
Inter Lions will be pleased to take their first point of the year but face a tough task to dethrone St George FC on their own turf. Coach Michael Cunningham will take some of the positive aspects from their 0-0 draw to try and find some cracks in the Saints defence.
South East Phoenix FC vs UNSW FC, Sunday 20 March, 3:15pm, South Nowra Football Complex
Last start winners come together when South East Phoenix FC host UNSW FC on Sunday afternoon at South Nowra Football Complex.
Both sides head into the contest off last start positive results. South East Phoenix FC got their first win in a 5-2 result against South Coast Flame FC. UNSW FC hit Mt Druitt Town Rangers for six in their 6-0 victory last weekend.
The students have found their consistency in the first month with some impressive results and stringing together some results which has them in fourth. Striker Marcella Santos has added some serious venom to the attack and make them a formidable prospect for every team.
South East Phoenix FC have battled hard in the first month and they got a result which they deserved against South Coast Flame. The regional side now have the taste of success and look to upset the apple cart against UNSW FC.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
