Round 16 Preview – League One Women’s
Round 16 marks the start of the downhill slope of the Football NSW League One Womens competition and begins the rat race for the finals.
We have eight entertaining clashes to play out across Sunday where teams look to either avenge their loss earlier this year or keep their roll going.
Let’s get onto the preview!
Match of the Round: Gladesville Ravens vs Sutherland Shire FA, Sunday 5 June, 5:40pm, Christie Park
Rounding off the weekend is Gladesville Ravens taking on Sutherland Shire FA at a cool Christie Park on Sunday night.
Gladesville Ravens extended their long winning run with a 4-1 win against South East Phoenix FC which saw them creep within three points of leaders Hills United FC. Sutherland Shire FA battled hard but fell 3-1 to Northbridge Bulls FC.
Everything is looking rosy for Gladesville Ravens currently. The Ravens have the second-best unbeaten run in the league and have scored goals for funs at time this season. Plenty of that is down to the clinical nature of Gemma Woolley who will be a danger to the defence.
Sutherland Shire FA took their time to settle into the season but should put up a better performance than the 5-1 they suffered in Round 1. The young side will be a tough out for a lot of teams coming into the finals chase.
South Coast Flame FC vs UNSW FC, Saturday 4 June, 7:15pm, Sir Ian McLennan Park
Kicking off the second half of the season is some Saturday football between South Coast Flame FC and UNSW FC at Sir Ian McLennan Park.
Both sides head into this contest picking up points in their previous contest. South Coast Flame FC were the winners in last week’s Match of the Round 3-1 against Inter Lions. UNSW FC equalised late to secure a 1-1 draw against Central Coast Mariners.
South Coast Flame FC sit in a respectable tenth place after the first half of the League One Womens season in their debut campaign. Jessica Cruickshank has returned to goal scoring form in recent weeks and will be a danger for the students defence.
For the students, Marcella Santos found the back of the net in their draw last week. UNSW FC have had a stellar first half of the season, sat in sixth spot and well within striking distance of the finals if they keep their form up.
Blacktown City FC vs SD Raiders FC, Sunday 5 June, 3pm, Blacktown City Sports Centre
Plucky Blacktown City FC take on SD Raiders FC at their home base of Blacktown City Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon.
These two sides come into this game off a last start loss. Blacktown City FC kept Marconi Stallions goalless for 45 minutes before they lost 2-0 in the end. SD Raiders FC took a lead but lost 3-1 to St George FC in a heavyweight clash.
It’s a busy week for Blacktown City FC with their catch up against Nepean FC on Thursday night then this big clash against SD Raiders FC. Coach David O’Keefe will be hoping his side can pick up possibly three or four points and inch closer to the tenth place Flame.
SD Raiders FC will be looking to rebound after their fourth loss of the season which has shortened their advantage on the chasing pack. Sarah Mandile has become another strong contributor in a team which always puts in a shift and will do on Sunday.
St George FC vs Nepean FC, Sunday 5 June, 3pm, Fraser Park
Third place St George FC look to keep their recent run up when they welcome Nepean FC to Fraser Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Saints showed their grit in their 3-1 comeback win against SD Raiders FC away from home last weekend to remain in the top four. Nepean FC were the story of the weekend with their point against Hills United FC in their 1-1 draw.
St George FC are in great form in the last month with some big results which has them right in the mix for a finals position. Coach Mark Cuppit’s side hope to continue that run with another huge win against a Nepean FC side they defeated to open the season.
Nepean FC must be riding high after their point against the league leaders. Coach Albert Di Sciascio has the side well drilled and after Gemma Morgan’s penalty helped them get a point last week, they will aim to conjure up another upset.
Inter Lions vs Camden Tigers, Sunday 5 June, 3pm, Majors Bay Reserve
Two sides keen to pick up some points meet when Inter Lions face Camden Tigers at Majors Bay Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
Both teams head into the game in similar stages of their season. Inter Lions have rebounded since their horrid run despite their 3-1 loss to South Coast Flame FC. Camden Tigers recorded a point in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Mt Druitt Town Rangers.
Inter Lions have are rebuilding themselves under new coach Adrian Contarino. He has the side playing some good football but they just need to find the finishing touch. Jess Wootton brings the finishing class alongside Natalie Pajor and Marissa Papoulidis might deliver them some points.
Camden Tigers are in a similar position. They held a lead several times against the Town Rangers but couldn’t kill off the contest. Coach Troy Witton will want them to hold possession better to sweep the season series against the Lions.
Central Coast Mariners vs Mt Druitt Town Rangers, Sunday 5 June, 3pm, Pluim Park
Central Coast Mariners face off against Mt Druitt Town Rangers in a key fixture at Pluim Park on Sunday afternoon.
The yellow-and-navy head into this game sat in seventh position after their battling 1-1 draw against UNSW FC last Sunday night. Mt Druitt Town Rangers doubled their points tally in their 3-3 draw against Camden Tigers.
The hosts have built up their confidence across the first 15 weeks of the season and the young side look ready to mount a challenge on the finals in the next few weeks. They are led well by Kaitlin Murphy and Gabrielle Blanch and might make it three games unbeaten.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers hope they can put their full team out to play spoiler in the second half of the League One Womens season. Coach Neill Ross was delighted in how they found the back of the net against Camden and hopefully it’ll continue this week.
South East Phoenix FC vs Marconi Stallions, Sunday 5 June, 3:15pm, South Nowra Football Complex
Marconi Stallions make a trip down to the south coast to take on South East Phoenix FC at South Nowra Football Complex on Sunday afternoon.
South East Phoenix FC were gallant but fell to a 4-1 defeat against Gladesville Ravens in the contest played at Christie Park. Marconi Stallions kept up their winning run with a comfortable 2-0 win against Blacktown City FC.
These two sides played out probably the wildest game of Round 1 in a 4-3 Marconi Stallions win at historic Marconi Stadium. The Stallions have shown they can score goals when they need to and if they want to move out of the pack they need to keep this running run going.
South East Phoenix FC won twice in the first half of the League One Womens season but they were competitive in all their contests over the timeframe. Now they hope to play spoiler and keep developing their squad for the rest of 2022.
Northbridge Bulls FC vs Hills United FC, Sunday 5 June, 3:40pm, Northbridge Oval
Looking for payback Northbridge Bulls FC face undefeated Hills United FC at Northbridge Oval on Sunday afternoon.
The Bulls come into this game boosted from their 3-1 success against Sutherland Shire FA down in the shire on Sunday afternoon. Hills United FC dropped their first points in their 1-1 draw at home against Nepean FC.
This game was the catalyst for Hills United FC’s unprecedented run thus far in the League One Womens competition. Stinging by their dropped points coach Alan Tasses will have the side ready and primed to bounce back and add to their lead at the top.
For Northbridge Bulls FC, their 2-1 loss to Hills United FC started their inconsistent run for the first half of the League One Womens competition. Recent form from Rita Boateng, Tamires Souza and Evelyn Chronis makes this a mouthwatering clash.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
