Round 9 Preview – Futsal Premier League Open Women’s

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Another week closer to the finals, the tension is heating up in the Futsal Premier League Open Women’s competition.

In round nine of the competition UTS Northside host Mascot Vipers in another top four matchup, while Dural host Enfield and competition leaders Eastern Suburbs Hakoah host Mountain Majik.

Dural Warriors v Enfield Allstars; Saturday 5 November, 3:50pm, The Centre Dural

Third placed Dural Warriors host an improving Enfield Allstars at the Centre – Dural to begin the action Saturday.

Dural Warriors last week saw their four-game unbeaten record ended against UTS Northside. Missing a few of their regular faces, they were outplayed by their hosts in their meeting. Still possessing the most stringent defense in the league having only conceded eleven goals, they will be looking for a positive response here. An unfamiliar feeling after that result, they could end the weekend anywhere from 1st to 4th.

Not much more you can ask for. After a hefty defeat the week before, Enfield Allstars showed some resilience in their weekend double. Losing by two goals to the Campbelltown City Quake and four goals to Eastern Suburbs Hakoah, it was evident that there is a fair chunk of talent within this side with girls as young as 16 playing up in their Open Women’s set up. Look out for goalkeeper Ashley Purcell who did well in the Hakoah game in particular.

Previous Meetings: Enfield Allstars 1-4 Dural Warriors

Inner West Futsal Club v Campbelltown City Quake Futsal Club; Saturday 5 November, 4pm, Valentine Sports Park

Two victorious round nine sides face off as Inner West welcome Campbelltown City Quake to Valentine Sports Park.

For Inner West, it was a victory of relief as they overcame Mountain Majik at this same venue. After shaking off some early nerves, they found confidence in their play in the second half putting three past their opposition. Tara Pender, Chloe Gordon, and Ella Martins were the goal scorers but with only one sub, everyone had to contribute. The pressure of getting their first win off their backs, will Inner West be able to string a couple together here?

It won’t be easy though as Campbelltown City Quake have found their feet as well. Victories over Mountain Majik and Enfield Allstars see them sitting as the best of the rest outside the top four. In their victory over Enfield, Olivia Sloan was singled out for praise for working tirelessly throughout. She was joined by five other goal scorers in the fixture so they will be a threat across the pitch this weekend. If they win again here, maybe just maybe they can reach the finals?

Previous Meeting: Campbelltown City Quake 0-0 Inner West Futsal Club

UTS Northside Futsal Club v Mascot Vipers; Saturday 5 November, 4:30pm, PCYC Dee Why

Another round, another top four clash as UTS Northside play host to Mascot Vipers on the Northern Beaches.

How 25 minutes can change things. After the first half last weekend in UTS Northsides clash with Dural Warriors, you would be forgiven for wiping your eyes thinking you’ve seen this story before. However they stuck to their ways and came out victorious. Apart from the customary Daisy Arrowsmith mention, a lot of their success has come with help from youngsters Halle Smit, Anneke Corry and others.

There’s a reason this could be the game of the weekend, Mascot Vipers will be itching to get back on the court after going down narrowly to Eastern Suburbs Hakoah last weekend. Chasing the game throughout, you can be sure there will be a focus on getting a better start. Look out for Stephanie Augoustis who claimed a brace in that one. It’s another test this Vipers side will be looking forward too, a win here further cement their spot in the four.

Previous Meeting: Mascot Vipers 2-7 UTS Northside

Eastern Suburbs Hakoah Futsal Club v Mountain Majik Futsal Club; Saturday 5 November, 5:50pm, Morris Iemma Indoor Sports Centre

Eastern Suburbs Hakoah will be looking to do what only the Vipers have done so far this season in winning five straight when they take on Mountain Majik.

After a round eight victory last Saturday, the Hakoah girls made it a perfect weekend with another following on Sunday. Taking the headlines was Gisella Pipino who scored a hat-trick in both (six goals in a weekend). Yet there’s a lot to like about how they are going about their futsal at the moment with Marcella Santos, Antonia Sharp and Aurelia Collins also finding the net in either game. Sitting on top with seven rounds to play, it’s hard to see them slipping up here.

It’s a tough ask for Mountain Majik facing the top team while on a seven-game losing streak. Last weekend they came out second best again another struggling team in Inner West. With the scores 0-0 at HT, they couldn’t match it with their opponents in the second half, though they did score via Claire Holder with her third of the season during a powerplay.

Previous Meeting: Mountain Majik 3-4 Eastern Suburbs Hakoah

By Justin Smith