Round 6 Preview – League One Women’s
Round 6 signals the start of another fabulous weekend of the Football NSW League One Womens competition which includes a Saturday Match of the Round between South Coast Flame and Sutherland Shire FA.
Added to that is seven sensational Sunday fixtures to round off the weekend including a pair of top of the table clashes.
Match of the Round: South Coast Flame vs Sutherland Shire FA, Saturday 26 March, 3pm, Ian McLennan Park
Saturday afternoon football kicks us off in Round 6 when South Coast Flame FC host Sutherland Shire FA at Ian McLennan Park.
Coming into this Match of the Round both teams will look for a rebound. South Coast Flame FC were beaten 4-0 against Hills United FC while Sutherland Shire FA were gallant in their 1-0 defeat to SD Raiders FC.
The Flame will be glad to be back on their home turf. Their form there has been much stronger and they will aim to pick up three points. Alongside Jessica Cruickshank, they have solid support in Rachelle Wang to find the back of the net.
Sutherland Shire FA are starting to get some momentum going for the season. They have shown they can upset teams which sets this match-up nicely.
Central Coast Mariners vs Inter Lions, Sunday 27 March, 3pm, Pluim Park
Central Coast Mariners look to keep the good times rolling when they face Inter Lions at Pluim Park on Sunday afternoon.
The yellow-and-navy got themselves back in the winner’s circle in a 3-1 victory against a dogged Camden Tigers team in the south-west. Inter Lions found the back of the net but ultimately lost 3-1 to St George FC to remain in 14th spot.
The Mariners have moved themselves in the top half of the League One Womens competition with some impressive performances. Led by captain Kaitlin Murphy, the yellow-and-navy are hoping to bank another three points this weekend.
Inter Lions have shown flashes that they can put together a full performance, but they will need to find some consistency to help move them off the bottom half of the table. Natalie Pajor’s combination with Jess Wootton will be key to their success should they get something out of this crucial clash.
Camden Tigers vs Marconi Stallions, Sunday 27 March, 3pm, Ron Dine Stadium
Camden Tigers want to get their roar back against Marconi Stallions on Sunday afternoon when they clash at Ron Dine Stadium.
Coming into this weekend, the two sides have had contrasting fortunes. Camden Tigers took the lead before losing 3-1 to Central Coast Mariners in their first game of two at home. Marconi Stallions strolled to a 3-0 victory against Nepean FC.
Marconi Stallions sit in seventh spot in the League One Womens competition but hope to gallop into finals contention. Candace Sciberras has been a solid goal scorer alongside Ceyda Cambaz, both of which make the Stallions a daunting prospect.
Three straight losses might knock Camden Tigers spirit but there is a good spirit around the side as they face a tough task against Marconi Stallions. Kristy Rohrer got her second goal of the season last week and she might find some joy against the visitor’s backline.
UNSW FC vs St George FC, Sunday 27 March, 3pm, Seymour Shaw
High flying UNSW FC welcome St George FC to Seymour Shaw in a fascinating contest which will light up Sunday afternoon.
These two sides have started the season on fire and were in goal scoring form heading into the weekend. UNSW FC won a 7-2 game against South East Phoenix FC while St George FC were comfortable 3-1 winners against Inter Lions FC.
St George FC are one of three undefeated sides left in the League One Womens competition and have set up a good platform to make their charge to the finals. Coach Mark Cupitt has been impressed with the side’s work and they will face a tough test against the students.
The goals are flowing freely for UNSW FC lately, 13 to be exact so they head into a top of the table clash confident and ready to take a big scalp. The students have found goals from across their team which makes them a harder to plan against.
South East Phoenix FC vs Blacktown City FC, Sunday 27 March, 3pm, South Nowra Football Complex
Blacktown City FC take a trip down to Nowra to face a vibrant South East Phoenix FC side at South Nowra Football Complex.
These two young sides were on the wrong side of the results last weekend. South East Phoenix FC scored goals but fell to a 7-2 defeat against UNSW FC. Blacktown City FC were outclassed 5-0 against Gladesville Ravens.
The Phoenix side might only have three points this season, but the regional side have been competitive in all their contests thus far. They also have two consistent scorers in Amanda Carney and Madison Carter which will help them pick up a lot of points this season.
For the visitors, this is another opportunity to pick up three points from a side which is like them in the League One Womens competition. Goal keeper Kiara Rochaix will be key to stunting the Phoenix attack and give Claire Szymoniczek chances to find the back of the net.
Northbridge Bulls FC vs Nepean FC, Sunday 27 March, 3:30pm, Valentine Sports Park #2
The charging Northbridge Bulls FC side aim to roll on against Nepean FC at Valentine Sports Park #2 on Sunday afternoon.
The Bulls were at their rampaging best against Mt Druitt Town Rangers last weekend when they won 10-1 in a lopsided contest. Nepean FC battled hard but fell 3-0 to Marconi Stallions in their third defeat this season.
Nepean FC face a tough task to stunt the Northbridge Bulls sizzling attack which was on fire last week but anything can happen on a football field. The visitors do have some scoring talent of their own in Emily Diaz and Kasia Wojtowicz.
Northbridge Bulls FC have been slightly inconsistent to start the season but one thing you can always count on the Bulls for is goals. Tamires Souza is finding the net with regularity and with Evelyn Chronis also firing, it makes for some scary moments for the defence.
Hills United FC vs Mt Druitt Town Rangers, Sunday 27 March, 3pm, Blacktown City Sports Centre
Rampant Hills United FC face another Western Sydney rival in Mt Druitt Town Rangers at Blacktown City Sports Centre.
Hills United FC put together a second half bonanza to down South Coast Flame FC 4-0 in their fifth straight win and remain unbeaten. Mt Druitt Town Rangers were well defeated 10-1 by a clinical Northbridge Bulls FC side.
The Match of the Round was a Sunday stroll for Hills United FC. Imogen Lane added a brace to her burgeoning goal tally and they got some minutes into both Annie Halls and Alix Roberts which will be key headed into the later stages of the season as they look to remain unbeaten this weekend.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers face another top contender in the League One Womens competition and might be another long afternoon. One positive last week was the Rangers getting themselves on the score sheet but the side will hope to get off the duck egg soon.
SD Raiders FC vs Gladesville Ravens, Sunday 27 March, 5:15pm, Ernie Smith Reserve
We round off Round 6 with a mouth-watering clash between SD Raiders FC and Gladesville Ravens at Ernie Smith Reserve.
Both sides come into this top four contest off wins. Gladesville Ravens were sublime in their 5-0 success against Blacktown City FC while SD Raiders FC left it late but were 1-0 winners against Sutherland Shire FA at home.
Gladesville Ravens have rebounded from a tough opening few weeks to find their cruising altitude in the League One Womens competition. Much of that can be attributed to the fantastic goal scoring of Gemma Woolley who has six goals in her last two games and will have to be shut down.
The hosts have one of the toughest and tightest defences in the competition. They have only conceded two goals thus far through five weeks and will need a good attack to unlock it. Up top, Rojin Polat and Trudy Camerelli give them a good one-two punch to trouble any team.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
