Round 13 Preview – Futsal Premier League Open Women’s
Our top four side face bottom four opposition in the penultimate regular season round of the Futsal Premier League Open Women’s competition.
With four anticipated clashes ahead, lets take a look on how every team is shaping up.
UTS Northside Futsal Club v Enfield Allstars; Saturday 3 December, 4:30pm, PCYC Dee Why
Going into the finals in good form, that will be the aim for UTS Northside host Enfield Allstars at PCYC Dee Why.
Prior to finals, there will be no more important victory for UTS Northside than last weekend. They were professional on the pitch away from home against a in form Quake side giving themselves a three-goal advantage before hanging on late. With a five-point advantage over fifth now, it’s hard to see them missing out on finals. Emily Bastow is the player to watch out for here, putting in another impressive performance in that game.
Enfield Allstars come into this one having gained their fifth point of the season last weekend against Mountain Majik. The Allstars came from behind twice in that one before backing up the following day for a round one fixture against the Quake. Sophie Hoban scored twice as they went down by a goal, while Ashley Purcell was impressive in goal. With no pressure on them this weekend, can they deliver a shock here?
Previous Meeting: Enfield Allstars 2-5 UTS Northside
Mascot Vipers v Campbelltown City Quake Futsal Club; Saturday 3 December, 4:30pm, Sydney Olympic Park Sports Halls
Although needing help elsewhere, Campbelltown City Quake will be looking to take it to the last day with an upset over Mascot Vipers.
Tough ask though with the Vipers on a five-match unbeaten streak which has seen them go unbeaten in the calendar month of November. Last weekend, they proved too strong for Inner West prevailing by four goals. With their third clean sheet of the campaign, usual suspects Tess Quilligan, Sarah Moore and Mikayla Duong all found the back of the net. With Duong in particular in hot goalscoring form. A win here could seal them top spot if results go their way elsewhere.
It wasn’t quite the weekend that Campbelltown City Quake had hoped for last week. In an important clash with UTS Northside, they couldn’t quite pull off a comeback despite scoring two goals in the final three minutes. However, they turned that result around with a victory over Enfield Allstars last Sunday with Maya Lobo scoring the crucial winner. There’s plenty of young talent in this team so don’t count them out just yet ahead of this one.
Previous Meeting: Campbelltown City Quake 2-4 Mascot Vipers
Mountain Majik Futsal Club v Dural Warriors; Saturday 3 December, 5:30pm, Valentine Sports Park
Looking to further solidify their finals spot, Dural Warriors make the short trip to face Mountain Majik at Valentine Sports Park.
With a significant goal difference advantage over the Quake behind them, a win for Rob Varela’s side will all but guarantee finals for Dural Warriors. However, a win is far from guaranteed with the Warriors picking up two points from their last three. Last weekend they did hold Eastern Suburbs Hakoah to a draw though with Sarah Easthope the standout performer keeping them in it before Rachel Perrins equalized.
They face a Mountain Majik side who have four points from their last three matches. Yes, we’re starting to see this Majik side pick up results which will be music to the ears of supporters heading into next season. Last weekend they took the lead twice through a brace to Claire Holder who has scored seven goals this season. With two games to go this season, they will be eyeing some more points in this one and against the Quake next weekend.
Previous Meeting: Dural Warriors 6-1 Mountain Majik
Eastern Suburbs Hakoah Futsal Club v Inner West Futsal Club; Saturday 3 December, 5:50pm, Morris Iemma Indoor SC
Eastern Suburbs Hakoah come in favourites for an important clash against Inner West as the two look to fight off relegation.
The hosts continue to look for some consistency heading into the finals with round nine the last time they secured back to back victories. It’s not for the wanted trying though with George Lethbridge’s side meeting a particular obstacle in the Warriors net last weekend. Alexia Karry’s Stahl found the net again, but they just couldn’t get a second past Sarah Easthope. Still with the likes of Marcella Santos in the side and a winnable game here, they could well finish top at the end of the regular season.
Inner West will be determined to spoil the party though as they look for their third victory of the season against a club they are fighting in a club championship relegation battle. There’s no doubt this side has improved results wise since their last meeting and they’ll be keen to prove it here. However, they will need to find goals, something they have struggled with recently with only two coming in their past three matches.
Previous Meeting: Inner West 2-5 Eastern Suburbs Hakoah
By Justin Smith
