Round 14 Preview – Futsal Premier League Open Women’s
As we have reached the final round of the Futsal Premier League Open Women’s regular season, teams will have one last chance to strut their stuff before some progress to finals football.
The premiership race has come down to the last day with Mascot Vipers surely favourites there and the top four teams could well switch around by the end of the weekend. For one last time in the regular season, let’s look at our four matchups!
Inner West Futsal Club v Dural Warriors; Saturday 10 December, 4pm, Valentine Sports Park
Inner West Futsal Club face the unenviable task of facing Dural Warriors this weekend as the club look to avoid relegation.
Let’s start with Dural Warriors who will be looking to go into the final’s series with back-to-back victories for the first time since these two last met. Last weekend, they just edged Mountain Majik in a close shave at Valentine Sports Park. With several players missing, Rachel Perrins scored a brace while Kayla Osborn, Samantha Nagy and Emma Hurley all joined her on the scoresheet. They could overtake UTS Northside on the table if results go their way.
Calling it a tough couple of weeks for Inner West Open Women’s side would almost be an understatement. Conceding 24 goals in three weeks while only scoring two at the other end against three top four sides, it doesn’t get any easier this weekend. Still they will know that points are vital if the club are going to survive the drop as they trail Eastern Suburbs Hakoah on the club championship, Can that inspire them to an unlikely victory?
Previous Meeting: Dural Warriors 6-1 Inner West
UTS Northside Futsal Club v Eastern Suburbs Hakoah Futsal Club; Saturday 10 December, 4:30pm, Sydney Boys High School
This could well be the first of two meetings in as many weeks as Eastern Suburbs Hakoah travel to face UTS Northside.
UTS Northside sit in third position on the table after thirteen rounds. Scoring 16 goals in the past three matches, they are in hot scoring form entering this one. Last weekend they had to be patient to overcome Enfield Allstars scoring two second half goals. Natasha Rainbird scored her first goal in the Open Women’s category while Daisy Arrowsmith looks a sure bet for the golden boot. A win here would ensure these two play again next weekend.
Not to be outdone in their scoring ways, Eastern Suburbs Hakoah also picked up a convincing victory in round thirteen of the competition. Leading by three goals to one, they stepped on the accelerator when their opposition were tiring to claim the three points. In terms of individual performances, you can’t go past Tamires Souza who scored six goals in the fixture. Outsiders in the premiership race, a win here could give them the award if the Vipers slip up.
Previous Meeting: Eastern Suburbs Hakoah 2-1 UTS Northside
Campbelltown City Quake Futsal Club v Mountain Majik Futsal Club; Saturday 10 December, 4:30pm, Minto Indoor Sports Centre
Campbelltown City Quake and Mountain Majik will be looking to go out on a high when they meet to conclude their season this weekend.
Though mathematically still in contention last weekend, the top four hopes of Campbelltown City Quake were brought to an end last weekend. Up against Mascot Vipers, they met a stubborn resistance which was hard to get through before conceding a late goal. One of the better coached teams in the division, they can look back on some memorable results in the second half of the season including a win over Dural Warriors and a draw with Eastern Suburbs Hakoah.
They face a Mountain Majik side who have showed considerable improvement in recent weeks. Four points in their past four games, they were unlucky last weekend to come away emptyhanded against an understrength Dural Warriors. Four goal scorers in that one proves that they are threat across the pitch, and they look set for a good 2023 season. First there is this one though and they will be keen to claim another scalp here.
Previous Meeting: Mountain Majik 2-4 Campbelltown City Quake
Enfield Allstars v Mascot Vipers; Saturday 10 December, 5:50pm, Morris Iemma Indoor SC
Another win and top spot is theirs! Eyes will be on Mascot Vipers as they look to claim the 2022 premiership this weekend.
We’re running out of superlatives for this Mascot Vipers sides as they continue to pick up results going into the finals next week. Now one more victory would put the exclamation mark on an impressive season with the premiership. Last week against the Quake, they held tight in defense before striking a killer blow in the closing stages through a Mikayla Duong goal. And it’s not only the Open Women’s team impressing with a clear advantage in the club championship and a possibility of nine teams in the finals.
Enfield Allstars on the other hand are a better side than what the last fixture between these two sides suggest. In recent weeks, they have tested both Eastern Suburbs Hakoah and Uts Northside so there’s no reason why they can’t do the same here. First year back on the pitch, you can see something building for the likes of the Allstars and Majik, can they go out with a shock result in this one?
Previous Meeting: Mascot Vipers 12-1 Enfield Allstars
By Justin Smith
