Round 3 Preview – League One Women’s

Round 3 of the Football NSW League One Womens competition promises to be another big weekend of action with seven salivating games to enjoy.

This weekend is headlined by Marconi Stallions taking on SD Raiders FC in our Match of the Round alongside some other mouth-watering clashes.

Let’s get onto the preview.

Match of the Round: Marconi Stallions vs SD Raiders FC, Sunday 26 March, 3pm, Marconi Stadium

The Match of the Round heads south-west when Marconi Stallions take on SD Raiders FC at Marconi Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

This game is a fascinating clash between two teams that are looking to make an impact on the League One Womens competition. Both sides are institutions in the league and hope to show off for the streaming audience on NPL.TV.

Coming into this Match of the Round, Marconi Stallions will be on a high after a 2-1 comeback win against South East Phoenix FC. SD Raiders FC toiled hard in a 2-2 draw against Inter Lions to make it four points from their first two games.

Marconi Stallions have been spirited in both their games thus far and will be keen to make a statement against SD Raiders FC. Michelle Dal Bon got their first goals of the season for the Stallions and will be one to watch in this game.

Last week, coach Andy Severin also praised Erinn Cleghorn for her work and she will want to back it up against an always competitive SD Raiders FC side. Another Stallion to monitor is Julia Figueira who is due for a big performance on Sunday.

SD Raiders FC won’t be a pushover. It might be their first trip away from Ernie Smith Reserve but Linda Khamis will have them prepared and ready to go. A star of their first two games has been Elin Rosenberg Cemazar who has three goals and will be hungry for more.

An unsung hero for SD Raiders FC has been Tahlia Voskanian who works tirelessly for the side. The Armenian international will be involved heavily and hopefully that might see the visitors make it three games unbeaten.

South Coast Flame FC vs UNSW FC, Saturday 25 March, 7:30pm, Sir Ian McLennan Park

Saturday night football comes to Sir Ian McLennan Park when South Coast Flame FC host UNSW FC in a mouth-watering matchup.

Both teams come into this matchup off draws in their last games. South Coast Flame FC were pegged back late in their 3-3 draw against Sutherland Shire FA. UNSW FC shared the spoils in their 2-2 draw against Hills United FC.

One thing that stood out in the result for South Coast Flame FC was the combination between scorers Bronte Trew and Cristina Barraza was vital. The pair combined for all three goals and will be needed to unlock the stubborn students defence.

UNSW FC have shown through the first fortnight they will be a team that will be challenging for silverware this year. A pivotal figure in the squad is ace striker Marcella Santos who has struck twice already this year and will be wanting to further boost her tally this weekend.

St George FC vs Hills United FC, Sunday 26 March, 3pm, Ilinden Sports Centre

The game between St George FC and Hills United FC shapes up as an exciting one at Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon.

St George FC opened their account for the year with a 3-1 win over Mt Druitt Town Rangers away from home last weekend. Hills United FC played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with UNSW FC at Bella Vista Public School.

The Saints head into this game buoyed by three points and are ready to tackle last year’s Grand Finalists in the hope of making it back-to-back wins. Caitlin Campbell has been a good pickup for St George FC with three goals in two games and will be keen to add further to her tally on Sunday.

Hills United FC are a tough team to face any week and will be gunning for the points come Sunday. Isabella Sciberras scored both the Hills goals in their draw and she will be one of the x-factors for the visitors.

Inter Lions vs Camden Tigers, Sunday 26 March, 3pm, Majors Bay Reserve

Inter Lions face off against Camden Tigers at Majors Bay Reserve on Sunday afternoon in an intriguing match-up.

The Lions come into this game having collected their first point of the League One Women’s campaign in a 2-2 draw against SD Raiders FC. Camden Tigers had their Match of the Round against Blacktown City FC called off due to the extreme heat that hit Sydney last Sunday.

For Inter, the club is starting to build themselves back up after a lean few seasons and have been quite competitive in their first two games. This could shape up as a game to get three points against a team at a similar level.

The Tigers will have two matches this week as they take on Blacktown City on Thursday, a match that was called off last weekend – this in itself could be a good or bad thing for the club, we will have to wait and see on how much petrol they use following Thursday nights performance.

Ashlee Taff and Sam Cefai were on the scoresheet back in Round 1 and the pair will be keen for another big performance.

Mt Druitt Town Rangers vs Central Coast Mainers, Sunday 26 March, 3pm, Popondetta Park

Central Coast Mariners continue their travels when they visit Mt Druitt Town Rangers at Popondetta Park on Sunday afternoon.

The Mariners still hold a 100% record taking out two wins from two matches after their battling 1-0 win over Nepean FC last Sunday. Mt Druitt Town Rangers took the lead last week but lost 3-1 to St George FC.

The Rangers will hope for a better run with injury in this game after three key players went down in their loss to St George FC. A positive for the hosts in the game was the work of Holly Williams who provided the assist for the opener and is a rock at the back for the hosts.

Sunday will be Central Coast’s final away game of this three-game stretch to open the season before their first home game next weekend. Kaitlin Murphy has been a consistent presence in the Mariners team over the last few seasons and her goal scoring will be key in this contest.

South East Phoenix FC vs Nepean FC, Sunday 26 March, 3:15pm, South Nowra Football Complex

South East Phoenix FC welcome a spirited Nepean FC to South Nowra Football Complex on Sunday afternoon.

These two teams are the only ones left in League One Womens without a point which makes this an important clash for both. South East Phoenix FC were beaten 2-1 by Marconi Stallions while Nepean FC lost 1-0 to Central Coast Mariners.

Goals haven’t been a problem in the first two games for South East Phoenix FC with four scored across 120 minutes which means Sunday should promise goals. Captain Melanie Leedham will lead the side as best as possible in the hope of securing maximum points.

Nepean FC have been gallant in both their defeats thus far in 2023. Coach Ben Gough will devise a game plan which will go a long way to open their account this season as he hopes his troops can deliver the three points on Sunday.

Blacktown City FC vs Sutherland Shire FA, Sunday 26 March, 4pm, Landen Stadium

Rounding off the weekend is the clash between Blacktown City FC and Sutherland Shire FA at Landen Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The visitors picked up their first point of the campaign in their pulsating 3-3 draw against South Coast Flame FC in their derby clash. Blacktown City FC had their game called off due to the extreme heat against Camden Tigers.

Blacktown City FC have a busy weekend with their rescheduled Round 2 Match of the Round to be played on Thursday night against Camden Tigers. Coach David O’Keefe will have to keep his squad fresh to take the maximum points.

For Sutherland Shire FA, they led twice in Round 2 before succumbing to a draw in the end. The work rate of forward Alina Stojcevski could be a key component if the Shire have what it takes to grab a victory here.

By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)