Round 25 Preview – League One Women’s

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Round 25 signals the start of the run home for the League One Womens season as we enter the final six weeks with eight fabulous fixtures across Saturday and Sunday.

The race for the finals is heating up so here we go!

Let’s get onto the preview!

South Coast Flame FC vs St George FC, Saturday 6th August, 7:15pm, Sir Ian McLennan Park

Kicking off a busy weekend is South Coast Flame FC hosting St George FC at Sir Ian McLennan Park on Saturday night.

The Flame will be heating up after their 2-1 win against Blacktown City FC away from home and look for back-to-back wins. St George FC are looking to rebound after their Match of the Round loss to Central Coast Mariners, 3-2.

St George FC are back on the outside looking in but can redeem themselves down in Albion Park on Saturday afternoon. Recently, Maddison Farmer has been the focal point of their attack and her combination with Jordan Baker will be key to a win.

The hosts South Coast Flame FC will want to defend their home soil and move within a point of Marconi Stallions in the top half of the League One Womens ladder. Rachelle Wang and Jessica Cruickshank are a lethal duo and will keep the Saints on their toes.

Camden Tigers vs Sutherland Shire FA, Sunday 7th August, 3pm, Ron Dine Stadium

Camden Tigers return home to face off against a resurgent Sutherland Shire FA at Ron Dine Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

These two sides take contrasting form lines into their game on Sunday afternoon. Camden Tigers battled hard but fell 3-0 to UNSW FC at home while Sutherland Shire FA won 3-1 against Marconi Stallions away from home.

Sutherland Shire FA are arguably one of the most inform sides in the League One Womens competition and sit in equal seventh which is a great return after their slow start. They have two vital clashes this week with their midweek vs SD Raiders FC and this contest to collect six points.

Camden Tigers won’t be a walk over for any sides. They also have a pair of fixtures this weekend with their trip to Pluim Park on Saturday afternoon. Troy Witton will have to rotate his squad for an optimal performance this weekend.

Mt Druitt Town Rangers vs Nepean FC, Sunday 7th August, 3pm, Popondetta Park

Two sides who will eye off three points do battle when Mt Druitt Town Rangers face off against Nepean FC at Popondetta Park on Sunday afternoon.

It wasn’t the win they wanted but Mt Druitt Town Rangers collected another point for their third draw of the season, 1-1, against Inter Lions. Nepean FC held their own in a 2-0 defeat to Gladesville Ravens at Cook Park.

The Town Rangers might’ve not got their breakthrough win but there was a big step forward for them against Inter Lions. Angel Lynch and Veronica Dimo were both in fine form and will be key to them taking the points on Sunday.

Nepean FC will eye off this game as potentially three points as well. Coach Ben Gough has been developing the squad and they can use this game as a springboard to progress headed into both 2022 and next year.

Central Coast Mariners vs Hills United FC, Sunday 7th August, 3pm, Pluim Park

Completing their back-to-back contests has Central Coast Mariners taking on Hills United FC at Pluim Park on Sunday afternoon.

These two sides head into this game off a win last start. Central Coast Mariners took a big scalp when they defeated St George FC 3-2 in the Match of the Round. Hills United FC won 3-1 in their trip to Nowra against South East Phoenix FC.

The Mariners will be flying high into their double header this weekend. Knocking over the Saints without captain Kaitlin Murphy is a big thing for them. Chloe Smith has been a consistent presence for them and will want to add to her tally again.

Regarding Hills United FC, it is all they can do is win to keep alive their chance at the Premiership. Isabella Sciberras has been a highlight in their season and the consistency of Ellen Berios alongside their regular contributors makes this a tough game.

Inter Lions vs Marconi Stallions, Sunday 7th August, 3pm, Majors Bay Reserve

Inter Lions welcome Marconi Stallions to Majors Bay Reserve for an important clash for both teams on Sunday afternoon.

The Stallions head across town looking to get back on the horse after their 3-1 defeat to Sutherland Shire FA at their home ground on Sunday. Inter Lions shared the points in a 1-1 draw with Mt Druitt Town Rangers.

Coming off three straight losses, Marconi Stallions might relish a chance to get back into the winner’s circle and give themselves some positives to end the 2022 season. Coach Dino Severin knows his team can be unplayable on their day.

Inter Lions have enjoyed a much better second half of the League One Womens season and might eye off a big scalp on Sunday. Marissa Papoulidis is one of their regular scorers and will aim to hit the back of the net again against the Stallions defence.

South East Phoenix FC vs SD Raiders FC, Sunday 7th August, 3:15pm, South Nowra Football Complex

SD Raiders FC take a road trip down to South Nowra Football Complex to take on South East Phoenix FC on Sunday afternoon.

Both sides are coming off losses last weekend and aiming to rebound themselves. South East Phoenix FC were defeated 3-1 against second place Hills United FC. SD Raiders FC had a lead but fell to a 4-2 loss against Northbridge Bulls FC.

South East Phoenix FC can take their second half performance against one of the heavyweight sides in League One Womens into this game. They will also hope to get back some of their troops to give a good account of themselves on Sunday.

This weekend is key for SD Raiders FC for their top four chase. There is six points up for grabs for them which can propel them close to or inside the four. Rojin Polat was on the scoresheet in their loss last week and will be their main threat again.

Gladesville Ravens vs Northbridge Bulls FC, Sunday 7th August, 6pm, Christie Park

A top four clash awaits when Gladesville Ravens welcome in-form Northbridge Bulls FC to Christie Park on Sunday night.

These two teams are in prime form headed into a vital clash for their League One Womens season thus far. Gladesville Ravens won 2-0 against Nepean FC while Northbridge Bulls FC were comeback winners against SD Raiders FC, 4-2.

Having a six-point advantage and six weeks to go, Gladesville Ravens are in a prime position to swoop on the trophy and possibly another Championship later this year. The double threat of Gemma Woolley and Jess Wootton makes them a dangerous prospect.

They face a Northbridge Bulls FC side that is full of confidence and ready to make that spot in the top three their own headed towards the end. They will be without Hannah Beard after her red card but Tamires Souza is running away with the Golden Boot this season.

UNSW FC vs Blacktown City FC, Sunday 7th August, 7:30pm, Hensley Athletic Field

Finishing off the round is UNSW FC and Blacktown City FC in the night cap at Hensley Athletic Field on Sunday night.

The students got back into cramming mode after their 3-0 win against Camden Tigers in Sydney’s south-west on Sunday afternoon. Blacktown City FC went down in a close contest 2-1 to South Coast Flame FC at home.

UNSW FC have rebounded back into fourth spot after their blip last week and like coach Guillermo Rubio said he wants the side to rebuild their streak. Having both Eve Hess and Amanda Levaskevich scoring will help them do just that.

For Blacktown City FC, they will hope to continue their improvement on their results which has been the story of their second half of the League One Womens season. Coach David O’Keefe has made them a tough team to beat so they will be a tough out.

By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)