Round 18 Preview – League One Women’s
Round 18 is another chapter in the League One Womens book for 2022 with eight enthralling contests to unfurl across Saturday and Sunday.
The twists and turns will help to see how the competition will shake out at the final word.
Let’s get onto the preview!
Match of the Round: Central Coast Mariners vs Northbridge Bulls FC, Sunday 19 June, 3pm, Pluim Park
A mouth-watering clash takes place between Central Coast Mariners and Northbridge Bulls FC at Pluim Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Mariners head into this game off their surprise 1-0 loss to Nepean FC which might have hurt their finals chances last weekend. Northbridge Bulls FC were in full flow in their 7-0 win against South East Phoenix FC.
Central Coast Mariners will aim to get themselves back in finals contention after their loss last weekend and not lose further ground on the finals teams. The Mariners have made Pluim Park a tough place to visit and hope to create an upset of their own on Sunday afternoon.
Bulls striker Tamires Souza has been on a tear in the last week and it has lifted her to the top of the Golden Boot standings with 28 goals through 17 rounds. Northbridge Bulls FC will need further goals from her and Evelyn Chronis to maintain their spot in the top four.
South Coast Flame FC vs Nepean FC, Saturday 18 June, 3:15pm, Sir Ian McLennan Park
Saturday afternoon is a great time for football when South Coast Flame FC welcome Nepean FC to Sir Ian McLennan Park to kick-off Round 18.
Both teams come off last start wins in impressive fashion. South Coast Flame FC were 2-1 winners against Camden Tigers in the south-west. Nepean FC produced a stellar result in their 1-0 success against Central Coast Mariners.
South Coast Flame FC have enjoyed some bright moments in their debut campaign thus far and a key part to that has been the form of Rachelle Wang. The attacker brings the energy and her work helps get the young side moving forward.
Nepean FC are floating on a high after their upset win against the Mariners. Coach Ben Gough has developed his side’s style in his short reign and they have been hard to break down so the Flame will need to be on their game.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers vs Marconi Stallions, Sunday 19 June, 3pm, Popondetta Park
Mt Druitt Town Rangers are back at Popondetta Park and take on a surging Marconi Stallions team on Sunday afternoon.
The Town Rangers were gallant in defeat against a spritely Blacktown City FC side in their 3-0 loss in their derby game last weekend. Marconi Stallions played one of their best games of the season in their 1-1 draw against St George FC.
Marconi Stallions enjoyed a fruitful last month picking up eight points and put themselves right in the picture for the League One Womens finals. Having Candace Sciberras is an added bonus and might see them cruise to another win.
This is one of two games these two sides will play this week. They meet up in a Round 3 catch-up on Wednesday night at Marconi Stadium. It will stretch Town Rangers coach Neill Ross’ already extended squad as they hope to put in another good performance.
Blacktown City FC vs Sutherland Shire FA, Sunday 19 June, 3pm, Blacktown City Sports Centre
High flying Blacktown City FC host Sutherland Shire FA in an important clash at Blacktown City Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon.
Blacktown City FC come into this contest off three straight wins including a 3-0 win against the Town Rangers as the debutants have found their stride in the League One Womens competition. Sutherland Shire FA went down battling 2-0 to UNSW FC in the night cap.
The hosts have started to get results for their work in recent weeks. A major factor for them has been the goal scoring form of Nicola Ciocca with three goals in her last two games alongside their solid defence might help extend their streak to four.
One of Sutherland Shire FA’s best wins this year was their midweek 3-0 success against Blacktown City FC back in March. The visitors will aim to complete a series sweep of the debutants and inch closer to the top half of the League One Womens ladder.
Inter Lions vs South East Phoenix FC, Sunday 19 June, 3pm, Majors Bay Reserve
Back home Inter Lions host the second half of the double header against South East Phoenix FC at Majors Bays Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
These two sides come into this game off last start losses. Inter Lions were defeated 4-0 by SD Raiders FC in the south-west while South East Phoenix FC were battered 7-0 against a rampant Northbridge Bulls FC side.
This weekend is a double header for these two sides. They will play their Round 3 catch up game on Saturday afternoon down in Nowra before they reconvene in Concord on Sunday. It will be a test for both squad’s depth but also a big chance to pick up a possible six points.
For Inter Lions, they have been building up their confidence under the stewardship of Adrian Contarino and still have the firepower of Jess Wootton to call on while the Phoenix FC side has the dynamic duo of Madison Cater and Amanda Carney in their arsenal.
St George FC vs Camden Tigers, Sunday 19 June, 3pm, Fraser Park
St George FC welcome Camden Tigers to Fraser Park for another exciting clash in the smorgasbord of football for Round 18 on Sunday afternoon.
The Saints dug deep to get themselves a point in their 1-1 draw against Marconi Stallions in their clash last weekend. Camden Tigers equalised but fell to a late goal in their 2-1 loss to South Coast Flame FC at Ron Dine Stadium.
St George FC have stacked results like blocks in a Tetris game which has them sat firmly in third position in the League One Womens competition. Jordan Baker has relinquished the lead in the Golden Boot race and will be looking to add more to her tally.
For Camden Tigers, it been an improved performance in recent weeks but still need to find some results to add to their one win this season. It will be a big task to down the Saints but the Tigers will lean on their experienced heads to succeed.
SD Raiders FC vs Hills United FC, Sunday 19 June, 4:10pm, Ernie Smith Reserve
Looking to get back on the horse, Hills United FC head out to Ernie Smith Reserve to face SD Raiders FC on Sunday afternoon.
These two sides had contrasting results headed into this vital clash this weekend. SD Raiders FC bounced back with a 4-0 win against Inter Lions. Hills United FC lost back-to-back games in their 1-0 loss to Gladesville Ravens.
SD Raiders FC are a tough prospect on any weekend but being at Ernie Smith Reserve ratchets that up a further notch. In form striker Sarah Mandile will be hoping to pile on more misery against Hills United FC and keep SD Raiders FC firmly in the top four.
Hills United FC hope that the tide will turn for them soon enough. They haven’t been able to find the back of the net in the last fortnight which is unusual for the free-scoring side and coach Alan Tasses will be sick of dominating games but being unable to capitalise and hope the change happens on Sunday afternoon.
Gladesville Ravens vs UNSW FC, Sunday 19 June, 6pm, Christie Park
League leaders Gladesville Ravens fly back home to face UNSW FC in our final game of Round 18 down at Christie Park.
The Ravens added another week onto their streak with their Match of the Round win against second place Hills United FC in their 1-0 win. UNSW FC struck twice in the first half to defeat Sutherland Shire FA 2-0 in the last game of the round.
UNSW FC have been consistent this season and the students are buoyed by the signing of former Matilda Thea Slayter. She joins the already potent attack which boosts Marcella Santos and Hannah Charak who both scored last weekend.
A pair of 1-0 wins in the last fortnight for Gladesville Ravens has shown that the hosts won’t be an easy nut to crack for any team trying to clip their wings. They have the talent of Keiko Tanaka and Elizabeth Gilbane who help keep the Ravens midfield working.
By Justin Davies (JustDavies90)
