Round 15 Preview – League One Women’s
Woah, we’re halfway there, woah we are hoping for no rain! Heading to the halfway mark, teams in the League One Womens competition have gotten a feel for the season and now know where they have to remain or improve headed into the second half.
We have eight wonderful contests to get us to the midway point.
Let’s get onto the Preview!
Match of the Round: Inter Lions vs South Coast Flame FC, Sunday 29 May, 3pm, Majors Bay Reserve
A revived Inter Lions side take on South Coast Flame FC at Majors Bay Reserve in an important clash on Sunday afternoon.
Inter Lions didn’t lose many admirers in their 3-1 loss to unbeaten leaders Hills United FC in their game last weekend. South Coast Flame FC were beaten 4-1 at Wanderers Football Park against SD Raiders FC in their game.
In recent weeks, Inter Lions have found their groove and should be a much-improved side headed into the second half of the season. Hosting the Flame should be a good way for them round out the midway point and find the back of the net.
South Coast Flame FC haven’t had the best month with a recent losing streak which has them in 10th place in the League One Womens ladder. One positive is seeing Jessica Cruickshank back on the scoresheet and hoping to do similar this weekend.
Sutherland Shire FA vs Northbridge Bulls FC, Sunday 29 May, 3pm, Harrie Denning Centre
Sutherland Shire FA welcome Northbridge Bulls FC to Harrie Denning Centre for a vital clash on Sunday afternoon.
Both teams had less than stellar results in their previous games and will be looking to make amends at the midway point. Sutherland Shire FA lost 2-0 to St George FC while Northbridge Bulls FC played their part in a 4-4 draw against Marconi Stallions.
For the hosts, they showed in last week’s Match of the Round they can match it with the heavyweight sides of the League One Womens season. Sutherland Shire FA face the one-two punch of Hills United FC and Northbridge Bulls FC and need to be on their A game.
Northbridge Bulls FC sit within striking distance of the finals spots but need to turn games like the Marconi Stallions one into three points. Jessica Seaman has become a goal scoring fixture in the last fortnight for the visitors and gives them more punch up top.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers vs Camden Tigers, Sunday 29 May, 3pm, Popondetta Park
Two sides in search for a way back into the winner’s circle in Mt Druitt Town Rangers and Camden Tigers come together at Popondetta Park.
It is a busy week for Mt Druitt Town Rangers with their mid-week catch up with SD Raiders FC but it is one step forward, one back with their game vs South East Phoenix FC washed out. Camden Tigers battled hard but lost 4-0 to Gladesville Ravens.
The Town Rangers have endured a tough time this year but are positive that things might click soon for them and get a drought breaking win. Coach Neil Ross praised the spirit in the side in their recent games and they just need a chance to sing the team song.
There might be some extra finishing training happening at Camden Tigers after their lack of finish in the final third against Gladesville Ravens. The Tigers will look at this fixture to pick up their second win of the season and put a bigger gap on their opponents on the bottom.
Hills United FC vs Nepean FC, Sunday 29 May, 3:45pm, Bella Vista Public School
In a busy week to the mid-season, Hills United FC host Nepean FC at Bella Vista Public School on Sunday afternoon.
Hills United FC are close to beating every side in the League One Womens competition after their 3-1 win against Inter Lions and their catch up against Sutherland Shire FA midweek. Nepean FC were washed out against UNSW FC during the deluge last weekend.
Hills United FC still remain the only side in single digits for goals conceded in the 2022 League One Womens season which is remarkable and down to the fabulous work of their defence and keeper Sarah Easthope. It will be hard for any team to defeat them if they can remain watertight all season.
Nepean FC face a tough task against the rampant leaders but coach Albert Di Sciasco is confident in his side to remain in the contest. They have improved across the first half of the season and will improve headed into the next chapter.
SD Raiders FC vs St George FC, Sunday 29 May, 4:10pm, Ernie Smith Reserve
We have a mouthwatering clash between SD Raiders FC and St George FC to play out at Ernie Smith Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
Both teams head into this game off huge wins last weekend. St George FC won the Match of the Round 2-0 against local rivals Sutherland Shire FA. SD Raiders FC were 4-1 winners against South Coast Flame FC to remain fourth.
The hosts face one of their toughest tests at Fortress Ernie Smith in the first half of the season. Sarah Mandile sparkled with a hat-trick last week and gives SD Raiders FC more options up top which will be needed against a potent St George FC attack.
St George FC have rebounded spectacularly after their recent hiccup which saw them tumble down the ladder but now the Saints have lodged firmly into third spot. Maddison Farmer has been the star in recent weeks for St George FC and will be needed if the visitors want to take three points.
Blacktown City FC vs Marconi Stallions, Sunday 29 May, 4:45pm, Blacktown City Sports Centre
Back in Blacktown again, Blacktown City FC face off against Marconi Stallions on Sunday afternoon at Blacktown City Sports Centre.
The hosts were in the contest all the way against Central Coast Mariners but fell to a 2-0 defeat at their home ground. Marconi Stallions participated in an eight-goal thriller in their 4-4 draw against Northbridge Bulls FC.
Blacktown City FC have learnt some harsh lessons in their debut season in the League One Womens competition, but coach David O’Keefe is hopeful they can take those in their stride. He also hopes they will help them pick up a few more wins in the second half of the season.
On their day, Marconi Stallions can defeat anyone but the key for them is getting consistency in their game which would see them surge up the ladder. Tania Baban scored a brace for them last week and will look to continue to build on her goal tally this week.
South East Phoenix FC vs Gladesville Ravens, Sunday 29 May, 3pm, Christie Park
South East Phoenix FC will host Gladesville Ravens at Christie Park on Sunday afternoon in an interesting fixture between the two sides.
The Ravens continue to fly higher than ever before after their comfortable 4-0 success against Camden Tigers in the nightcap last weekend. South East Phoenix FC were one of the two washouts last weekend against Mt Druitt Town Rangers.
Gladesville Ravens are within two points of unbeaten leaders Hills United FC obviously with a game extra been played but the Ravens have shown they are a serious contender this season. Alongside Gemma Woolley’s amazing scoring feats, Lara Brewis has become a regular goal scorer and given them another string to their bow.
South East Phoenix FC aren’t a side to be taken lightly. The young side have regularly found the back of the net and that will needed against the free scoring Ravens. Madison Cater and Jorgi Webb are their best routes to the goal in the contest.
UNSW FC vs Central Coast Mariners, Sunday 29 May, 7:30pm, Hensley Athletic Field
Finishing off the weekend is a blockbuster clash between UNSW FC and Central Coast Mariners on Sunday night at Hensley Athletic Field
The Mariners head into this contest on a high after their 2-0 success against Blacktown City FC at Blacktown City Sports Centre. UNSW FC were on the sideline after their clash against Nepean FC was washed out.
UNSW FC will be glad to head back onto the field after their weekend off and look to further cement their position in the top half of the League One Womens ladder. Their attack has been potent thus far and will make this an exciting contest.
For Central Coast Mariners, they come into this one on back-to-back wins and can leap above their opponents with a third straight win. Attacker Indianna Auddino has been a wonderful compliment to the Mariners attack thus far alongside captain Kaitlin Murphy and Gabrielle Blanch.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
