Round 9 Preview – League One Women’s
It is an Easter Eggstravaganza for the League One Womens competition with fixtures spread out across the weekend for everyone to enjoy.
Eight fabulous fixtures which include the Match of the Round between Northbridge Bulls FC and SD Raiders FC.
Match of the Round: Northbridge Bulls FC vs SD Raiders FC, Monday 18 April, 3pm, Cammeray Oval
Northbridge Bulls FC and SD Raiders FC highlight the weekend with a mouth-watering contest at Cammeray Oval on Monday afternoon.
Both sides head into this classic clash off wins which will have them primed. Northbridge Bulls FC won 4-2 in a six-goal thriller against UNSW FC. SD Raiders FC had a closer result with their 1-0 success over Marconi Stallions.
SD Raiders FC have been one of the stingiest defences in the League One Womens competition thus far in 2022 which is partially down to custodian Natasha Pentecost. She is one of the top keepers in the league and it gives them a sense of calm which they will need against this Bulls attack.
Northbridge Bulls FC are in a purple patch of form headed into another big contest for the first half of the season. Tamires Souza is a thorn in the side of most defences and Evelyn Chronis has started to make herself a constant on the scoresheet as well.
It is set up for a wonderful contest on Easter Monday. Two sides who are in fabulous form with goal scorers galore glittered around the park. Also, the battle between the attack of Bulls and the defence of SD Raiders FC is mouthwatering.
South Coast Flame FC vs Blacktown City FC, Saturday 16 April, 3:15pm, Ian McLennan Park
Kicking off the round is some Saturday afternoon football between South Coast Flame FC and Blacktown City FC at Ian McLennan Park.
Blacktown City FC picked up a comfortable 4-1 win against Inter Lions in last week’s Match of the Round for their second of the season. South Coast Flame FC were one of the two fixtures which were washed out last week.
The hosts will be glad to be back on the park after an enforced weekend off due to some rain around Sydney. South Coast Flame FC have striker Jess Cruickshank which always give them a chance to take the three points on Saturday.
Blacktown City FC got a result for their graft in recent weeks in their 4-1 win last weekend. The young side work well and have the energy which will have them bouncing onto the pitch Saturday. Defender Rachel Chalhoub is a rock in the center of their defence and will have a job to extinguish the Flames attack.
Central Coast Mariners vs St George FC, Sunday 17 April, 3pm, Pluim Park
Our only Sunday fixture is a tasty one between Central Coast Mariners and St George FC down at Pluim Park.
The Mariners suffered a heartbreaker falling to a 2-1 loss to the soaring Gladesville Ravens at Christie Park last weekend. St George FC suffered back-to-back defeats after their 2-0 loss to Hills United FC at home.
St George FC will be keen to get themselves going again after their recent losses to Hills United FC and Gladesville Ravens. Having Jordan Baker will make any side confident in their abilities to win but the Mariners will be a tough challenge.
Central Coast Mariners will also be confident in their side even against the Saints. Captain Kaitlin Murphy has been inspired with the armband and alongside Chloe Smith will make this not a stroll at the beach for the visitors.
Marconi Stallions vs Sutherland Shire FA, Monday 18 April, 3pm, Kareela Oval #3
Marconi Stallions take on Sutherland Shire FA in an important contest for both sides down at Kareela Oval #3
Both sides come into this game off contrasting form. Marconi Stallions kept it close but were shut out in a 1-0 loss to SD Raiders FC. For Sutherland Shire FA, they also had a 1-0 score line but were on the right side against Nepean FC.
The Stallions hopefully are ready to trot and coach Dino Severin will want to start getting back some of his squad to help their charge to the finals. Marconi Stallions do have the talent to challenge any side and hope to put away some of their chances.
Sutherland Shire FA have found a solid spot in the top half of the League One Womens competition after they have dealt with some washouts earlier in the season. The shire side have started to find consistent goal scorers so it wouldn’t be a surprise for them to pick up something on Monday afternoon.
Gladesville Ravens vs Nepean FC, Monday 18 April, 3pm, Christie Park
Gladesville Ravens aim to continue their strong run with the visit of Nepean FC to Christie Park on Easter Monday afternoon.
It was the late, late show for the Ravens after a pair of Ash Palombi goals gave them a 2-1 win over Central Coast Mariners FC last Sunday. Nepean FC battled hard but fell to a 1-0 defeat against Sutherland Shire FA.
Going to be a busy Easter weekend for Nepean FC. The Penrith side have a catch-up game against Central Coast Mariners on Friday then this fixture. Coach Albert Di Sciascio will need to have his squad ready for these twin challenges.
For the Ravens, it is just about maintaining the standard they have set in recent weeks. Having Ash Palombi starting to find the back of the net adds another bow to their quiver alongside sharpshooter Gemma Woolley. The Ravens have one of the sharper attacks in the division.
UNSW FC vs Camden Tigers, Monday 18 April, 3pm, Seymour Shaw
High flying UNSW FC are back in the shire when they host Camden Tigers for an interesting clash at Seymour Shaw on Monday afternoon.
The students were on the wrong side of a six-goal contest in their 4-2 loss to Northbridge Bulls FC at home. Camden Tigers were the other contest which was washed out against South East Phoenix FC last weekend.
After their strong opening month to the season, Camden Tigers have fallen into a hole in recent weeks and face another tough challenge. They will lean on their experience in Kristy Rohrer and Ashlee Taff to get something from this game.
For UNSW FC, sitting pretty in third spot is a good feeling for them after two months of the League One Womens competition. The students are one of the highest scorers in the competition and they might add a few to their tally on Monday.
Inter Lions vs Mt Druitt Town Rangers, Monday 18 April, 3pm, Majors Bay Reserve
Two teams desperate for a win clash at Majors Bay Reserve when Inter Lions FC and Mt Druitt Town Rangers face off.
The Lions were unable to get themselves off the duck egg in last week’s Match of the Round after their 4-1 loss to Blacktown City FC. Mt Druitt Town Rangers were washed out in their fixture against South Coast Flame FC.
Inter Lions like last week will eye this contest to get themselves a chance to sing the winning song against the only side without a point thus far. Jess Wootton is one of the keys for the side alongside one of their other off-season recruits Chloe O’Brien for Monday.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers will be glad to be back on the pitch after a slew of recent wash outs which will not help the fixture pile up later in the year. Much like the Lions, they will circle this fixture as one to get off the duck egg.
South East Phoenix FC vs Hills United FC, Monday 18 April, 3:15pm, South Nowra Football Complex
Rounding out the long week is a trip to the south coast. South East Phoenix FC host Hills United FC at South Nowra Football Complex.
Hills United FC made it eight straight in their 2-0 success against fellow League One Womens heavyweights St George FC last Sunday afternoon. South East Phoenix FC’s home fixture was washed out against Camden Tigers.
South East Phoenix FC have shown they can compete against any side in the division but the regional side will be facing their biggest test of the season. If they get any chances it is short odds that Amanda Carney or Jorgi Webb will try to find the back of the net.
For Hills United FC and coach Alan Tasses, it is about keeping to the high standards they have set already this season. The new club sit alone at the top of the League One Womens competition and look formidable to every other side.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
