Round 2 Preview – League One Women’s
Everyone has shaken out the nerves and cobwebs from the first weekend of the Football NSW League One Womens competition and are ready to go for Round 2.
Teams will be keen to either build on their first game or bounce back from a loss in a seven-game slate across the whole of Sunday which includes our Match of the Round between Hills United FC and UNSW FC.
Let’s get onto the preview.
Match of the Round: Camden Tigers vs Blacktown City FC, Sunday 19 March, 3pm, Carbiz Stadium (Ron Dine Reserve)
Two first up winners in Camden Tigers and Blacktown City FC clash at Carbiz Stadium for our next Match of the Round on Sunday afternoon.
Camden Tigers made it back-to-back years where they recorded a win in their opening game after a 4-3 victory over South East Phoenix FC down in Nowra. Blacktown City FC recorded a comfortable 2-0 win over Marconi Stallions to get the ball rolling.
It was a successful debut for Tigers star Samantha Cefai notching up a pair of goals which helped them to a comeback win. One of the big factors which will help Camden to three points was the tireless work of Merryn Clarke in midfield and she will be busy again at home.
Blacktown City FC hope to keep the good times rolling after a big afternoon for the club in their season opener which ended with three points. Having a solid defence is key to any team’s success in the competition and the visitors back four will be tough to get past in most games.
Hills United FC vs UNSW FC, Sunday 19 March, 7:30pm, Bella Vista Public School
Both these teams come off a first up win as they clash looking to remain undefeated.
Hills United FC kicked off the season with a convincing 7-1 win over South Coast Flame FC while UNSW FC triumphed 3-2 over Sutherland Shire FA.
These two teams were among the final four in the 2022 League One Womens competition last season and both encounters were hard fought encounters. Hills United FC won 1-0 at Hensley Athletic Field while UNSW FC returned the favour with the same score line in a late season thriller at Bella Vista Public School.
The opening weekend couldn’t have gone any better for Hills United FC. Alan Tasses’ charges piled on six goals in the second half which included a superb hat-trick from Imogen Lane. Scoring goals won’t be a big issue for Hills United FC this season with Lane, Stefanie Trovato and Isabella Sciberras in their line-up.
One aspect that might get a bigger examination this weekend is their defence. Hills United FC had a watertight back four in 2022 and retained most of them for this year. Their x-factor is captain Sarah Easthope between the sticks who is tough to get past and will be needed against the students defence.
The students passed their first big test of the season in their win over Sutherland Shire FA and it will please their coach Guillermo Rubio to have new signing Margaux Montegut on the scoresheet alongside mainstay Marcella Santos who is one to watch on Sunday.
UNSW FC boost a potent attack themselves which makes this game a must watch on NPL.TV on Sunday night. Amanda Levaskevich and Hannah Charak provide great support for Santos and will be keen to get one over the Grand Finalists in this contest.
Nepean FC vs Central Coast Mariners, Sunday 19 March, 7pm, Jamison Park
Nepean FC have their first home game of the season when they welcome Central Coast Mariners to Jamison Park on Sunday.
It wasn’t the winning start that Nepean FC wanted after their 3-1 defeat to SD Raiders FC at Ernie Smith Reserve last weekend. Central Coast Mariners started the new season with a 3-2 win over St George FC.
The hosts will hope for a much-improved performance after some easy turnovers which proved to be their downfall last week. Nepean FC held some good possession and want to turn that into goals through Bronte Connolly and Gemma Morgan.
Central Coast Mariners were a well-oiled machine in their win and coach Dan Barrett will hope to repeat that dose on Sunday afternoon. It was an impressive display from Chloe Smith who scored twice and her eye for goal will be key for the Mariners going forward.
Sutherland Shire FA vs South Coast Flame FC, Sunday 19 March, 3pm, Harrie Denning Centre
It is a battle between two neighbours when Sutherland Shire FA host South Coast Flame FC to Harrie Denning Centre on Sunday afternoon.
Sutherland Shire FA went down fighting against one of the top teams in League One Womens in their 3-2 defeat to UNSW FC at The Village Green. South Coast Flame FC kept it tight for the first half before they were blown away 7-1 by Hills United FC last Saturday afternoon.
The hosts will hit the ground running this season with a majority of the squad back again under head coach Jon Long which includes young star Violet Keelan. She is one of their key attacking weapons alongside goal scorer from last week Ariane Brown who will be important to them picking up the win at home.
South Coast Flame FC faced a tough first up experience in their loss to Hills United FC but will dust themselves off for a much improved second game of the season. Bronte Trew got a goal in her first game in her new colours and will want to add to her tally on the weekend.
Marconi Stallions vs South East Phoenix FC, Sunday 19 March, 3pm, Marconi Stadium
Back at Marconi Stadium, Marconi Stallions look to kickstart their season against South East Phoenix FC on Sunday afternoon.
The Stallions were in the contest the whole way but lost 2-0 to Blacktown City FC last weekend and will look to rebound in their first home game. South East Phoenix FC played out a seven-goal thriller in their 4-3 loss to Camden Tigers and will make the trip to Sydney with the hope of taking all three points.
Marconi Stallions did not get the start to their season they desired but they will head into this game upbeat about opening their 2023 account for the year. There is plenty of talent in their side, including Daniela Brekic and Lauren Featherstone, to help propel them to three points.
For South East Phoenix FC, it might not have been three points, but they will take plenty from the opening game and use that on Sunday afternoon. They will be boosted by the return of Madison Cater to the side who is a proven goal scorer and will link up well with Amanda Carney.
SD Raiders FC vs Inter Lions, Sunday 19 March, 7pm, Ernie Smith Reserve
SD Raiders FC look to continue to defend their fortress Ernie Smith Reserve when they welcome Inter Lions to the Fortress on Sunday.
It was a winning start to the League One Womens season for SD Raiders FC in their 3-1 win over Nepean FC in their home opener last Sunday. Inter Lions were gallant in their 3-2 defeat against Mt Druitt Town Rangers at home.
SD Raiders FC will look to record back-to-back wins as they enjoy a pair of home games to open the League One Womens season. Keeper Natasha Pentecost has been a constant for the side between the sticks and helped them pick up points in previous years and might be called upon to make some vital saves again on Sunday.
Inter Lions knew they would have growing pains in their development, but coach Johnathan Webb will be upbeat headed into Sunday afternoon. They had some good signs which included a goal from Marissa Papoulidis who was a consistent performer for them last season and has taken that form into 2023.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers vs St George FC, Sunday 19 March, 6pm, Popondetta Park
First up winners Mt Druitt Town Rangers host St George FC in an intriguing game at Popondetta Park on Sunday night.
These two sides had contrasted starts to their season last weekend. Mt Druitt Town Rangers won 3-2 after a late winner over Inter Lions. For St George FC, they featured in the opening Match of the Round and lost 3-2 to Central Coast Mariners.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers will be delighted to be off the mark for 2023 after a tough debut campaign. Coach Neil Ross hopes his side might be a bit more clinical in front of goal on Sunday and win their first back-to-back games since returning to the League One Womens system.
For St George FC, they will take some encouragement from their second half performance which had them in the game until the final whistle. Jordan Baker is always a danger in front of goal and her combination with Morgan Maxwell is one the Town Rangers defence next to watch out for.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
