Round 12 Preview – League One Women’s
We head into Round 12 of the League One Womens competition with a full slate of games and some interesting contests as we quickly hurtle to the halfway point.
This week also marks Female Football Week so get out to a game and check out what the clubs are doing to celebrate.
Match of the Round: Marconi Stallions vs Central Coast Mariners, Sunday May 8, 3pm, Marconi Stadium
The Match of the Round heads to The Palace where Marconi Stallions host Central Coast Mariners on Sunday afternoon.
Both sides head into this contest in a positive mind frame. Marconi Stallions battled to a 2-1 success down on the South Coast against the Flame. Central Coast Mariners claimed a big scalp in their 2-1 win against SD Raiders FC.
Marconi Stallions have found their stride in recent weeks with three games unbeaten and now a big test against the Mariners. The experienced side will be ready for the challenge in their busy week but will be ready after their 7-1 demolition of Camden Tigers on Tuesday.
Central Coast Mariners have consistently performed across the first half of the season and highlighted it with their win on home soil. Coach Pete Preston has the side firing on all cylinders and makes this a mouthwatering match up.
St George FC vs Blacktown City FC, Sunday May 8, 3pm, Fraser Park
St George FC look to continue their comeback when they welcome Blacktown City FC to Fraser Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Saints returned to winning ways with a comfortable 6-0 win against South East Phoenix FC down in Nowra on Sunday afternoon. Blacktown City FC are refreshed after their weekend off due to their wash out against Nepean FC.
Heading into this contest, St George FC will hope they’ve regained their mojo but one positive that coach Mark Cupitt will take into the game is how spread their scoring was last week. So they will look for a similar effort against Blacktown City FC.
Blacktown City FC have relished the challenge against the top sides in the League One Womens competition and Sunday won’t be any different. David O’Keefe’s young side has accounted themselves well thus far and won’t be easy beats.
SD Raiders FC vs UNSW FC, Sunday May 8, 3:10pm, Cirillo Reserve
Third takes on fifth in an important contest when SD Raiders FC face UNSW FC at Cirillo Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
Two sides looking to get back on the horse this weekend clash in this top five clash. SD Raiders FC were defeated 2-1 by Central Coast Mariners on the Central Coast while UNSW FC matched Hills United FC but fell to a 1-0 loss.
Before their loss, SD Raiders FC were grinding away results, so they’ll want to get back into that process against the students. Rojin Polat has been a consistent avenue to goal for the hosts and will present a danger to the UNSW FC defence.
It was a bruising encounter for UNSW FC in last week’s Match of the Round so they’ll have to dust themselves off for another big challenge this week. Keeper Tiahna Robertson has been a solid contributor all season and will be needed against SD Raiders FC.
South East Phoenix FC vs Nepean FC, Sunday May 8, 3:15pm, South Nowra Football Complex
South East Phoenix FC welcome Nepean FC down to South Nowra Football Complex for an intriguing contest on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts will look to get back into the winner’s column after their 6-0 loss to St George FC at home last weekend. Nepean FC head down the coast fresh after their game against Blacktown City FC was washed out.
For South East Phoenix FC, they have shown they can put together solid performances and after their recent outing, they’ll be primed and ready to rise back up. A result on Sunday afternoon can help bridge the gap to South Coast Flame FC in 10th.
Nepean FC will be glad to be back on the pitch. Their last start win will have them traveling with confidence in being able to make it back-to-back wins for the first time in 2022. Coach Albert Di Sciascio will have the side ready to go from the opening whistle.
Northbridge Bulls FC vs South Coast Flame FC, Sunday May 8, 3:40pm, Northbridge Oval
The Northbridge Bulls FC host South Coast Flame FC on Sunday afternoon at their spiritual home of Northbridge Oval.
The Bulls will be ready to be on parade after having the weekend off due to their washout against Camden Tigers in the southwest. South Coast Flame FC were close 2-1 losers to Marconi Stallions at The Furnace.
Recent results have seen Northbridge Bulls slip to eighth in the League One Womens competition and need to find the antidote soon. Tamires Souza will give them an injection of pace upfront that might be enough to take the points this weekend.
South Coast Flame FC will want to fire up their win streak again after their loss last weekend. Coach Danie Naumovski’s side have a firm partnership in Caley Tallon-Henniker and Emilia Skopal which gives them a chance to pick up another big scalp headed into the halfway mark.
Hills United FC vs Camden Tigers, Sunday May 8, 3:45pm, Bella Vista Public School
Hills United FC aim to continue marching towards the perfect record with their clash against Camden Tigers on Sunday afternoon at Bella Vista Public School.
It was 11 in a row for Hills United FC in last week’s Match of the Round in their tense 1-0 success against UNSW FC on Sunday night. Camden Tigers were on the sideline after their game against Northbridge Bulls FC was washed out.
It was another clean sheet for Hills United FC which has formed the backbone of their win streak which has seen them not concede more than two goals in any game. It allows the freedom for their strikers to push forward and find the back of the net.
Camden Tigers will be looking for a tidier performance on Sunday after being beaten 7-1 in their midweek catch up against Marconi Stallions. The Tigers did get a goal through Ashlee Taff to avoid being held to nil but will need an improvement on the weekend.
Gladesville Ravens vs Mt Druitt Town Rangers, Sunday May 8, 5:40pm, Christie Park
Back at Christie Park, Gladesville Ravens look to keep their scoring going against Mt Druitt Town Rangers on Sunday afternoon.
The Ravens are flying high on a long streak of success which included their 4-0 win against Inter Lions last weekend away from home. Mt Druitt Town Rangers were beaten 6-0 against Sutherland Shire FA playing at home.
Gladesville have swooped into second spot now with their huge run of form and look to create some distance on the pack now. Having a proven scorer in Gemma Woolley should help them add another notch to their belt this weekend.
The Town Rangers face another big task after their disappointment of last weekend where they were hit for six. Coach Ross Neil will remain upbeat and hope his squad can find some points soon but they will most likely not come against the surging Ravens.
Sutherland Shire FA vs Inter Lions, Sunday May 8, 7pm, Kareela Oval #3
Finishing off the round is Sutherland Shire FA taking on Inter Lions on Sunday night down at Kareela Oval #3.
The hosts come into the contest in a purple patch of form after their 6-0 success against Mt Druitt Town Rangers on Sunday afternoon in Sydney’s west. Inter Lions FC were also kept to nil in their 4-0 loss to Gladesville Ravens.
Now they have been able to make their way through their catch-up games, Sutherland Shire FA have found their sweet spot in recent weeks. Goals are coming from all around the pitch including from Alina Stojcevski which makes them a tough out each week.
For Inter Lions, it is about trying to create more space between them and the bottom of the League One Womens ladder. They have the talent in Jess Wootton, Chloe O’Brien and Natalie Pajor to create some results.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
