Round 8 Preview – League One Women’s
Round 8 is a big screen double feature for the League One Womens competition with a pair of blockbuster clashes to kick off the round.
We have plenty of other fantastic fixtures to enjoy in a wonderful weekend of football.
Let’s get onto the preview!
Blacktown City FC vs Inter Lions FC, Sunday 10 April, 3pm, Blacktown City Sports Centre
Two young sides in Blacktown City FC and Inter Lions FC kick-off Round 8 at Blacktown City Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon.
Both sides want to find their way into the winner’s circle after losses last weekend. Blacktown City FC were beaten 4-0 against Northbridge Bulls FC. Inter Lions FC suffered a heavy 6-1 loss to free scoring UNSW FC.
Blacktown City FC coach David O’Keefe has been positive about his side’s work in recent games despite being on the wrong side of the result. Now the side can eye off maybe taking some points against a downtrodden Inter Lions side.
Inter Lions will hope that this week will be the day that it all comes back to them. They were riddled with injuries and illness last week but need a full team to get points this week. They do have Jess Wootton and Chloe O’Brien who can create something for them.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers vs South Coast Flame FC, Sunday 10 April, 3pm, Popondetta Park WASHED OUT
Mt Druitt Town Rangers host South Coast Flame FC in a crucial clash for both at Popondetta Park on Sunday afternoon.
South Coast Flame FC battled hard but fell to a 3-2 defeat in the Sunday night cap against Central Coast Mariners last weekend. Mt Druitt Town Rangers were the only game washed out in Round 7 against SD Raiders FC.
The hosts have been through the trials and tribulations of the League One Womens competition through the opening seven rounds. Now facing a fellow newbie, they might target to get this fixture to get off the duck egg for the season.
For South Coast Flame FC, it is about reigniting their fire for the season. They remain in tenth but need to get a move on to remain connected to the rest of the mid-table sides. Having scorers like Jess Cruickshank will help in that quest against their fellow newcomers.
UNSW FC vs Northbridge Bulls FC, Sunday 10 April, 3pm, Seymour Shaw
Two top contenders in UNSW FC and Northbridge Bulls will clash in an important clash on Sunday afternoon at Seymour Shaw.
The students have been in full flow in recent weeks and were 6-1 victors against Inter Lions FC last weekend away from home. Northbridge Bulls FC kept their strong form going as well with their 4-0 win against Blacktown City FC.
Coming into this contest, UNSW FC are in a rich vein of form. The students have humming on all cylinders with goal scorers all-round the park. Marcella Santos and Hannah Charak lead the line but the Bulls will have to be weary of the whole forward line.
This game is a battle between two fantastic attacking sides. The Bulls have found the groove in recent weeks with top scorer Tamires Souza and former Golden Boot Evelyn Chronis regularly finding the scoresheet so we’re set up for a fantastic duel.
Sutherland Shire FA vs Nepean FC, Sunday 10 April, 7pm, Kareela Oval 3
Sutherland Shire FA aim to continue their strong form recently when they welcome Nepean FC to Kareela Oval on Sunday evening.
Recently, Sutherland Shire FA has been on an upswing after their 3-2 success against South East Phoenix FC last weekend. Nepean FC picked up another vital point in their second 0-0 draw this season against Camden Tigers.
This will be another busy week for Sutherland Shire FA. They had a mid-week fixture against UNSW FC which they lost 4-1 before they host Nepean FC. Sutherland Shire FA are finding the net regularly through Janan Codmani and Violet Keenan which will help.
Nepean FC are ready to springboard further up the ladder after their draw last weekend. Coach Albert Di Sciascio will have the side ready for the match up against the surging Sutherland Shire FA. A win here can propel them further up the ladder.
South East Phoenix FC vs Camden Tigers FC, Sunday 10 April, 3:15pm, South Nowra Football Complex
South East Phoenix FC welcome Camden Tigers down to the south coast for a vital clash at South Nowra Football Complex.
The hosts suffered a close defeat in their last game, losing 3-2 against Sutherland Shire FA at home and look at get back on track. Camden Tigers slight arrested their slide and got a point in a 0-0 draw against Nepean FC.
Last week was the first time the dynamic duo of Amanda Carney and Madison Carter for South East Phoenix FC didn’t feature on the scoresheet at the same time. Against a leaky Tigers defence they might find their way towards goal again.
For the Tigers, last week’s point will be something for them to build off. Camden have not been able to continue after their strong start to the season, but they might look at this fixture as one they can really sink their teeth into and take three points.
Hills United FC vs St George FC, Sunday 10 April, 3:45pm, Bella Vista Public School
One of the blockbuster contests in the first half of the season happens at Bella Vista Public School between highflyers Hills United FC and St George FC.
The hosts come into the contest off their seventh straight win after a 4-1 success against Marconi Stallions in last week’s Match of the Round. St George FC fell to a shocking 1-0 loss against Gladesville Ravens at home.
Hills United FC are firing on all cylinders. They have a stout defence which hasn’t let in more than one goal in any games thus far this year. Also, they have the super sub of Isabella Sciberras who got a brace against Marconi Stallions last week.
St George FC will be fired up after their first loss last week. They will aim to also take Hills United FC’s unbeaten streak down as well. Jordan Baker is always a threat in front of goal and her duel with Hills United FC custodian Sarah Easthope will be a Warrior match-up.
SD Raiders FC vs Marconi Stallions FC, Sunday 10 April, 4:10pm, Ernie Smith Reserve
SD Raiders FC are back in action and face off against south-west rivals Marconi Stallions at Ernie Smith Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
The Stallions were valiant in their 4-1 defeat against Hills United FC in last week’s Match of the Round under the lights. SD Raiders FC had their clash against Mt Druitt Town Rangers washed out and will be fresh for action.
This game will be played at SD Raiders’ FC new training base at Cirillo Reserve so the hosts will be keen to impress and christen their new home with a win. Between Rojin Polat and Trudy Camelleri they should have enough strike against the Stallions.
Marconi Stallions will just hope to have their key defenders back for this clash. Dino Severin’s side showed in the second half they can match it with the top sides, they just need to get some troops back. That will lessen the burden on their strikers and give them freedom to express themselves.
Gladesville Ravens vs Central Coast Mariners FC, Sunday 10 April, 5:40pm, Christie Park
Rounding off Round 8 is an exciting clash between Gladesville Ravens and Central Coast Mariners under lights at Christie Park.
Both sides head into this contest off massive wins last weekend. Gladesville Ravens edged out St George FC to end their unbeaten streak, 1-0 while Central Coast Mariners won 3-2 against South Coast Flame FC on Sunday night.
It has been the Gemma Woolley show for the Ravens in recent weeks. The striker has been scoring goals for fun and has helped the Ravens soar up the ladder. The hosts will need to be at their best against a solid Mariners side to keep their streak going.
For Central Coast Mariners, they have a three-game streak going into this clash. They have also have the goal scoring form of Chloe Smith who got a hat-trick in their last win. Alongside captain Kaitlin Murphy make them a tough prospect and this game is a cracker.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
