Round 26 Preview – League One Women’s
Round 26 is another important weekend in the Football NSW League One Womens competition as the composition of the top four is starting to take shape.
There are eight exciting games to play out across Sunday which will see who takes a step closer to their dream.
Let’s get onto the preview!
Blacktown City FC vs Nepean FC, Sunday 14 August, 3pm, Blacktown City Sports Centre
Kicking off the weekend is Blacktown City FC welcoming Nepean FC to Blacktown City Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon.
These two Western Sydney rivals come into Sunday afternoon after different results. Blacktown City FC showed off their defence resolve in a 0-0 draw against UNSW FC. Nepean FC were beaten 3-2 by Mt Druitt Town Rangers.
Blacktown City FC have shown in the second half of the League One Women season their improvement and will eye off three points against Nepean FC. Nicola Ciocca is their lead scorer and will look to add to her tally this weekend.
For Nepean FC, the visitors will want to avenge their 2-0 loss to Blacktown City FC in the reverse fixture back in Round 11. Nepean FC and coach Ben Gough will want to finish these last few weeks on a high with a few wins.
Marconi Stallions vs South Coast Flame FC, Sunday 14 August, 3pm, Marconi Stadium
Both Marconi Stallions and South Coast Flame FC will look for three points when they meet at Marconi Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
These two sides head into this game off big wins last weekend. Marconi Stallions won a back-and-forth contest against Marconi Stallions 3-2 while South Coast Flame FC won a dramatic game 3-2 against St George FC.
The Stallions have a busy end to their League One Womens campaign with three catch-up games so being able to maintain their squad will be key. Tania Baban returned to the scoresheet with her brace last week and might pile on more pain this week.
South Coast Flame FC head into this game off four games unbeaten and move within a point of their opponents with three points this week. Caley Tallon-Henniker was rewarded for her superb form this season with a call-up to the NSW Metro U16s Girls side and will be keen to show people why on Sunday afternoon.
Sutherland Shire FA vs Mt Druitt Town Rangers, Sunday 14 August, 3pm, Harrie Denning Centre
In form Sutherland Shire FA take on Mt Druitt Town Rangers fresh off a win at Harrie Denning Centre on Sunday afternoon.
Two sides coming off picking up three points last weekend clash in the shire. Mt Druitt Town Rangers broke through with their 3-2 win against Nepean FC while Sutherland Shire FA won 4-1 against Camden Tigers.
Sutherland Shire FA probably won’t be featuring in the League one Womens finals but they are finishing the season in fantastic form. Lacie Bowling fired home a hat-trick last week and will want to add to her tally further at home.
The Town Rangers have finally sung the team song for the first time in 2022 and now they will want to build on that with another win. Angel Lynch was heavily involved in their win and she will be a central figure to their performance on Sunday.
Northbridge Bulls FC vs Camden Tigers, Sunday 14 August, 3pm Northbridge Oval
Northbridge Bulls FC look to keep their recent run going when Camden Tigers head to Northbridge Oval on Sunday afternoon.
In form at the right end of the season, Northbridge Bulls continued their fantastic run with a 2-0 win in the Match of the Round against Gladesville Ravens. Camden Tigers had a back-to-back on the weekend and lost 4-1 to Sutherland Shire FA.
The Bulls have found their groove and they are a fearsome side for anyone to run into in the last few weeks of the League One Womens season. Rita Boateng was involved last week and adds another string to their potent attack.
Camden Tigers are going to aim to play spoiler as they travel across town to face the inform Northbridge Bulls FC side. Coach Troy Witton was happy with the second half efforts of the side last weekend and will hope it leads to another good performance on Sunday.
St George FC vs South East Phoenix FC, Sunday 14 August, 3:30pm, Fraser Park
Finals chasing St George FC look to take a big step in their charge against South East Phoenix FC at Fraser Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Saints remain on the outside looking in after their 3-2 loss to South Coast Flame FC on the last kick of the game down on the South Coast. South East Phoenix FC did well to secure a point in their 2-2 draw against SD Raiders FC.
The last few weeks have been a rollercoaster for St George FC. Beat Hills United FC then lose to the Mariners and South Coast Flame FC. The Saints can move back into the top four with a win on Sunday and have both Jordan Baker and Maddison Farmer in form.
South East Phoenix FC showed in their draw last week they won’t be a pushover. Madison Cater and Bronte Trew have both been in good form for the regional side in recent weeks and they can take a big scalp at Fraser Park.
Hills United FC vs UNSW FC, Sunday 14 August, 3:45pm, Bella Vista Public School
There is a mouth-watering clash between second place Hills United FC and fourth place UNSW FC at Bella Vista Public School on Sunday afternoon.
Hills United FC moved back within three points of leaders Gladesville Ravens after their comfortable 2-0 win against Central Coast Mariners at Pluim Park. UNSW FC missed a chance to consolidate fourth spot in their 0-0 draw vs Blacktown City FC.
In their debut season, Hills United FC have built their success on a rock solid defence with only 11 goals conceded in 25 weeks thus far. Keeper Sarah Easthope has the most clean sheets in the division and the students face a huge task to overcome then.
UNSW FC took it right to Hills United FC in their last contest and fell to a late goal in their defeat. They will want to atone for that result and hold onto fourth spot headed into the final weeks of the League One Womens season.
SD Raiders FC vs Central Coast Mariners, Sunday 14 August, 4:10pm, Ernie Smith Reserve
Sixth and seventh place do battle in an important game between SD Raiders FC and Central Coast Mariners at Ernie Smith Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
It was a mixed weekend of results for Central Coast Mariners. They won 5-0 against Camden Tigers on Saturday afternoon but lost 2-0 to Hills United FC on Sunday. SD Raiders FC made the trip to Nowra and returned with a 2-2 draw against South East Phoenix FC.
The yellow-and-navy are six points out of the finals equation and it might be coming up close to last chance saloon for them. Coach Pete Edwards has the side firing with their combinations and will look for a big three points on Sunday.
SD Raiders FC similarly are on the outside looking in. Kristen Prior has been in a purple patch of goal scoring form and alongside Rojin Polat will be the main danger for the south-west sydney side as they defend Ernie Smith Reserve.
Gladesville Ravens vs Inter Lions, Sunday 14 August, 6pm, Christie Park #1
We finish off the weekend with leaders Gladesville Ravens face off against Inter Lions at Christie Park on Sunday night.
These two sides will play for the Janine Ligato Cup named after a much-loved member of the Ravens community who passed away from cancer. It will be a big night out at Christie Park and a fantastic game of football.
Both sides head into this contest off losses last weekend. Gladesville Ravens lost 2-0 to Northbridge Bulls FC in the Match of the Round. Inter Lions were 3-2 losers against Marconi Stallions in fantastic contest at Majors Bay Reserve.
Gladesville Ravens will be keen to get back in the winner’s circle and restore the advantage which they have over second place Hills United FC on Sunday night. For Inter Lions, they won’t be a pushover with some improved performances in the second half of the season so we’re set for a fabulous game.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
