Round 7 Preview – League One Women’s

Seven is regarded as lucky for some people and there will be teams in the Football NSW League One Womens which hope that might be the case as they look to get their season kickstarted.

We have eight electric fixtures to play out over the weekend so let’s get onto the preview!

Mt Druitt Town Rangers vs SD Raiders FC, Sunday 3 April, 3pm, Popondetta Park

Back at Popondetta, Mt Druitt Town Rangers welcome SD Raiders FC for an interesting contest on Sunday afternoon.

Mt Druitt Town Rangers were beaten but not disgraced against Hills United FC in their 2-0 loss in one of six fixtures which were played on the weekend. Conversely, SD Raiders FC were washed out against Gladesville Ravens.

The Rangers might’ve had a tough start to the season but they have welcomed back their captain in Bree Webb which will help their organisation around the park. Also the work of Angel Lynch will be crucial if they want to pick up anything from the contest.

For SD Raiders FC, they will be well rested after the weekend off and ready to fire themselves back into the top four of the League One Womens competition. They do have Rojin Polat and Trudy Camelleri at their disposal to find the back of the net.

St George FC vs Gladesville Ravens, Sunday 3 April, 3pm, Fraser Park

We have a mouth-watering fixture at Fraser Park on Sunday afternoon. Unbeaten St George FC host highflyers Gladesville Ravens.

St George FC featured in last week’s Match of the Round when they defeated UNSW FC 2-0 to remain undefeated while Gladesville Ravens were washed out against SD Raiders FC after the deluge on Sunday.

The Saints remain the marker for every other side in the League One Womens competition. One of the only two undefeated sides alongside Hills United FC, they are a tough prospect to face. Sharpshooter Jordan Baker can find the net from anywhere which the Ravens will need to be weary of.

Gladesville Ravens have had a strong start to the season but this will be their biggest test thus far against St George FC. The Ravens possess the firepower in Gemma Woolley and Keiko Tanaka to trouble the Saints in what will be a big clash for the first half of the season.

Nepean FC vs Camden Tigers, Sunday 3 April, 3pm, Cook Park

Two sides desperate for to get back in the winner’s column, Nepean FC and Camden Tigers face off at Cook Park on the weekend.

Both these sides haven’t had the best recent form headed into this contest. Nepean FC were beaten 4-0 against powerhouse Northbridge Bulls FC. Camden Tigers have been on a losing streak but had their match washed out.

Nepean FC have had a tough start to the season but they might have marked this fixture as one they might find their first points. Coach Albert Di Sciascio has remained confident in his squad and might find some delight on the weekend to get their first win.

Camden Tigers come into the contest fresh from an enforced weekend off which will help the newbies get ready for this challenge. The Tigers do have Kristy Rohrer and Ashlee Taff to help them try and find a result against one of the established League One Womens sides.

Marconi Stallions vs Hills United FC, Sunday 3 April, 3pm, Marconi Stadium

Two heavyweight sides in Marconi Stallions and Hills United FC come together at historic Marconi Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Hills United FC kept themselves unbeaten after their 2-0 success against Mt Druitt Town Rangers at Blacktown Sports Centre. Marconi Stallions unfortunately were washed out again in their fixture against Camden Tigers.

The visitors are one of two undefeated sides left in the League One Womens competition. Coach Alan Tasses has been pleased with their effort thus far but they’ll need to take it up a notch against the Stallions in south-west Sydney. They do have the services of Annie Halls and Alix Roberts which will help their cause on the weekend.

Marconi Stallions might be just glad to be back on the paddock. The hosts have endured a series of washouts already this season alongside being unable to train makes it a tough start. Coach Dino Severin does have the dependable Ceyda Cambaz to rely on against the leaders on the weekend.

Inter Lions vs UNSW FC, Sunday 3 April, 3pm, Majors Bay Reserve

Inter Lions welcome a bubbly UNSW FC side to Majors Bay Reserve on Sunday afternoon for a vital clash for both sides.

The students might not have aced their latest exam against undefeated St George FC where they lost 2-0 in the Match of the Round. For Inter Lions, it was another bad day at the officer in their 7-0 loss to Central Coast Mariners.

It is a busy weekend for Inter Lions FC. They have a catch-up game against South East Phoenix FC on Saturday afternoon before this fixture. The Lions will rely on Chloe O’Brien and Jess Wootton to hopefully kick start their season.

UNSW FC have had a strong start to the season which has pleased coach Guillermo Rubio. Alongside the established talent of sharpshooter Marcella Santos there was some impressive performances from Grace McCormick and Eve Hess.

South East Phoenix FC vs Sutherland Shire FA, Sunday 3 April, 3:15pm, South Nowra Football Complex

South East Phoenix FC take on Sutherland Shire FA in a crucial clash for both sides at South Nowra Football Complex on Sunday afternoon.

The Phoenix got themselves back in the winner’s circle last weekend after their 1-0 win against Blacktown City FC at home. Sutherland Shire FA had a mixed week after a win mid-week followed by a loss 2-1 to South Coast Flame FC on Saturday afternoon.

The Phoenix have shown already in 2022 that they won’t be a pushover for any side in the League One Womens competition. They have a pair of consistent scorers in Madison Carter and Amanda Carney which always help their cause.

For Sutherland Shire FA, the rebuilding side have started to find some goal scoring form through Violet Keelan who has found the net in several of their recent games. If they can repeat the dose, they might pick up three points against South East Phoenix FC.

Northbridge Bulls FC vs Blacktown City FC, Sunday 3 April, 3:30pm, Northbridge Oval

It is a homecoming to Northbridge Oval for Northbridge Bulls FC when they face Blacktown City FC on Sunday afternoon.

The Bulls have used Valentine Sports Park #2 as a temporary home early in the season and won 4-0 against Nepean FC last week. Blacktown City FC were valiant but fell 1-0 to South East Phoenix FC down on the coast.

Northbridge Bulls FC have been an ominous prospect for any side in recent weeks after the Champions rediscovered their scoring form. One big aspect of this has been Tamires Souza, who has taken to League One Womens like a duck to water and will be ready to find the back of the net again.

Blacktown City FC have endured a tough start to life in this competition. The young side have suffered some heavy defeated but coach David O’Keefe remains optimistic about his side. They will surprise some sides headed into the second half of the season.

South Coast Flame FC vs Central Coast Mariners, Sunday 3 April, 7pm, Ian McLennan Park

Rounding out the weekend is a game between South Coast Flame and Central Coast Mariners at Ian McLennan Park on Sunday night.

Both sides come off big wins last weekend headed into this clash. South Coast Flame FC won a tight contest 2-1 against Sutherland Shire FA while Central Coast Mariners were rampant against Inter Lions for a 7-0 score line.

The Flame have shown in parts they can challenge anyone in the League One Womens competition especially on their home turf. Having a potent striker in Jess Cruickshank helps because they will need to find the back of the net against a strong Mariners side.

For the Mariners, it is about finding some consistent form which will propel them up the ladder headed closer to the mid-way stage of the competition. Captain Kaitlin Murphy has led the side from the front and is finding the net with regularity so will need to be watched by the Flame defence.

-By Justin Davies