Round 1 Preview – League One Women’s

South Coast Flame FC vs Hills United FC, Saturday 11 March, 3:05pm, Sir Ian McLennan Oval

We kick off the 2023 season on Saturday afternoon where the South Coast Flame FC welcome Hills United FC to Sir Ian McLennan Oval for the opener.

Hills United FC were the 2022 Grand Finalists in their inaugural season and hope that this year silverware will come their way following a good pre-season campaign.

Heading into the new season, South Coast Flame FC are determined to make a finals series charge.

They have added Bronte Trew to a squad that has some quality already which will make this a mouth-watering matchup.

The sequel is always harder than the original, so Hills United FC have an uphill climb to keep their level up in 2023.

Hills skipper Sarah Easthope hopes she can ignite her side to glory come Saturday afternoon.

St George FC vs Central Coast Mariners, Sunday 12 March, 3pm, Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre

Our first Match of the Round heads to Ilinden Sports Centre where St George FC host Central Coast Mariners on Sunday afternoon.

Both these sides missed out on finals football last season after starting the year off with a bang.

St George FC are hoping its new venue will assist in the team’s fortunes this year. Coach Mark Greenwood takes over in the dugout with a team that secured the core of the 2022 squad which gives them a good platform furnished by some decent signings which could see them go marching towards three points on Sunday.

For Central Coast Mariners, as we said in the preview, this shapes up as a huge year for the yellow-and-navy army before their entry into the A-League Women’s next season. Coach Dan Barrett will have his side well drilled and ready to go.

Inter Lions vs Mt Druitt Town Rangers, Sunday 12 March, 3pm, Majors Bay Reserve

Two sides looking for bigger seasons face off when Inter Lions take host the Mt Druitt Town Rangers at Majors Bay Reserve on Sunday afternoon.

Both sides won’t want to remember last season fondly but hopefully will look towards better days returning in the next few months. Mt Druitt Town Rangers have recruited well and Inter Lions will be an improved side in 2023.

Inter Lions haven’t had the best time in the past few seasons but the beginning of a new year always brings new hope for all fourteen teams. The Lions hope that under the stewardship of John Webb, his knowledge and experience will bring them better fortune.

Mt Druitt Town Rangers will be a team to watch out for in 2023. Coach Neil Ross has recruited well after what was a tough season in their return to the League One Womens competition.

In a FIFA Women’s World Cup year, Anicka Castaneda will be one to watch for the Town Rangers starting on Sunday.

UNSW FC vs Sutherland Shire FA, Sunday 12 March, 3pm, The Village Green

UNSW FC will hope to christen its new home with a win against the Sutherland Shire FA on Sunday afternoon at the Village Green.

Sunday will be a big day for UNSW FC. They will want to impress in their debut at The Village Green while Sutherland Shire FA will prove to be a tough opponent first up due to their impressive end to the 2022 season.

The students have studied their exit over the off-season and coach Guillermo Rubio will have his charges ready to take a leap towards the decider in 2023. Having a strike weapon in Marcella Santos in their line-up will be one of the differences this year.

Taking on Sutherland Shire FA won’t be an easy task though.

The visitors are a well drilled side who have kept the core of their 2022 squad together.

Genevieve Nisbet will love to spoil UNSW’s party as she hopes her and her teammates look towards stealing the points on opening day.

SD Raiders FC vs Nepean FC, Sunday 12 March, 3:15pm, Ernie Smith Reserve

SD Raiders FC host a youthful Nepean FC side in an interesting clash at Ernie Smith Reserve on Sunday.

Both these sides have a proud tradition in the League One Womens competition and will have been hurt by not featuring in the top half of the league ladder last season. Three points to start off the 2023 campaign will be a good platform for both clubs to build from.

SD Raiders FC will enjoy the fact they get to open their campaign at their home ground, Ernie Smith Reserve, under the expert tutelage of new coach Linda Khamis. The Raiders will hope to make Ernie Smith Reserve a fortress with opposition clubs finding it tough to grab points in Sydney’s South-West.

Nepean FC did show signs of improvement late last year with coach Ben Gough hoping for a better showing from his troops this year.

South East Phoenix FC vs Camden Tigers, Sunday 12 March, 3:15pm, South Nowra Football Complex

South East Phoenix FC will host the Camden Tigers on Sunday afternoon at South Nowra Football Complex.

With 17 matches scheduled at South Nowra Football Complex this year, the Phoenix will be looking towards home comforts in picking up its points this season.

For Camden Tigers, the 2023 season is an opportunity for them to improve on their first year and double their win total.

The hosts have seen some big changes in their squad but are ready to welcome teams back down to Nowra and make it a tough place for them to visit. Having an experienced head in Ash Long will help the young side in their quest to start off the year right with three points.

Last year, Camden Tigers won their opening contest in their first game in the League One Womens competition and will hope to repeat this dose on Sunday.

Blacktown City FC vs Marconi Stallions, Sunday 12 March, 4pm, Landen Stadium

Rounding out the weekend is a mouth-watering contest at Landen Stadium where Blacktown City face the Marconi Stallions in an epic opening round clash.

Blacktown City FC surged in the second half of last year and will hope to take that momentum into 2023.

Coach David O’Keefe hopes some of his new recruits will fire in particular former Kellyville Kolts star Chantelle Tabone who is ready to take on the League One’s best.

The Stallions had a horror run in 2022 and will hope to put that season behind them with a much improved year.

Known for being such a storied club in the League One Womens competition, Stallions coach Andy Severin is back at the helm with a side that is filled to the brim with talent ready to push for silverware and promotion.

By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)

 *Don’t forget that one match will be live-streamed each and every week exclusive only to NPL.TV. Keep an eye out on our Football NSW Leagues socials on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to find out which match will be featured weekly.