Round 4 Preview – League One Women’s

What a month it’s been for the Football NSW League One Women’s competition.

After kicking off the season earlier this month, teams have continued to grow from strength to strength in the pursuit of silverware this year.

Let’s take a look at the Round 4 preview. 

Match of the Round: Mt Druitt Town Rangers vs SD Raiders FC

The League One Women’s ‘Match of the Round’ heads West this weekend as Mt Druitt Town Rangers host SD Raiders FC at Popondetta Park.

This is shaping to be a massive game for both teams who have had solid starts to their 2023 campaigns.

The recruitment from coach Neill Ross has been excellent and the big name to watch out for this weekend will be Philippines International Anicka Castaneda who is the hosts midfield engine.

Around her, there is some talent which will make this an exciting contest on Sunday afternoon. Holly Williams is the warden at the back alongside former Stallions keeper Renee Krstanovska between the sticks.

SD Raiders FC make their second appearance in front of the cameras and showed last weekend they aren’t going to be a pushover side this year. The combination between Isabella Sultan and Sarah Mandile was sparkling last Sunday and will be dangerous again against the Rangers.

Amanda Radmilo was kept busy last weekend alongside her defence which kept the Marconi Stallions off the scoresheet more than once. Radmilo’s work with Layne Knight and Jessica Neville might be key to securing the three points.

Don’t forget to tune in this Sunday at 3pm as NPL.TV brings you all the action and excitement from Popondetta Park with the commentary skills of Eric Subijano on the microphone.

Nepean FC vs Marconi Stallions, Sunday 2 April, 3pm, Cook Park

Nepean FC are back at Cook Park and take on a confident Marconi Stallions outfit in an intriguing clash on Sunday afternoon.

These two teams will be on the hunt for three points in further spring boarding their seasons.

Nepean FC will be ready to strike again after their 7-0 rout over South East Phoenix FC while Marconi Stallions drew 1-1 with SD Raiders FC in last week’s ‘Match of the Round’.

Nepean FC are hoping that their victory last weekend is the start of many more to come in propelling them up the Premiership ladder. Bronte Connolly and Gemma Morgan were a dynamic pair last weekend and will look towards adding more goals to their account come Sunday.

Marconi Stallions probably thought they were good enough to take all the points against SD Raiders FC and will look to rectify that in the West.

Julia Figueira was their lone goal scorer and it will her efforts in front of goal that could prove to be the difference come Sunday.

Central Coast Mariners vs Inter Lions, Sunday 2 April, 3pm, Pluim Park Field 3

Finally playing at home, Central Coast Mariners welcomes Inter Lions to Pluim Park in what is sure to be a highly entertaining encounter.

Both teams head into this game off the back of victories in Round 3 and will be hoping to continue that winning trend.

Central Coast Mariners won 2-0 against the Mt Druitt Town Rangers while Inter Lions took the spoils in a goal fest with an 8-4 win over the Camden Tigers.

Following three weeks on the road, current League One Women’s pacesetters Central Coast Mariners head home and will look towards maintaining their unbeaten start in 2023. A bright spark for the yellow-and-navy is young winger Ava-Marie Carlson who has two goals already this season and keen to add more to her tally.

Inter Lions broke through for a breakthrough win last week, but now it’s about backing that result up against a strong team in the form of the Mariners. Santina Wang has been a constant threat for Inter and the team will no doubt look for her presence on Sunday.

Camden Tigers vs South Coast Flame FC, Sunday 2 April, 3pm, Ron Dine Reserve

Ron Dine Reserve will host the Camden Tigers taking on the South Coast Flame FC on Sunday afternoon.

These two teams head into the game looking for better results following their indifferent round 3 matches.

Camden Tigers led by three against Inter before imploding, eventually losing 8-4 while South Coast Flame FC were held to scoreless draw against UNSW FC.

Camden Tigers have another busy weekend with their Round 2 rescheduled game against Blacktown City FC looking to finally be streamed this Thursday night live on NPL.TV. They will be backing that up with this game where it could make for a six-point weekend for the club.

It has been a good rebound for the South Coast Flame FC after their opening weekend thrashing with a pair of draws in getting them off the mark. Bronte Trew has been on fire for the Flame with three goals and will be hungry for more against the Tigers.

UNSW FC vs St George FC, Sunday 2 April, 3pm, The Village Green

UNSW FC welcome St George FC to their new home at The Village Green for a big game on Sunday afternoon.

The students were kept to a scoreless draw in their Saturday night clash against South Coast Flame FC which made it two draws on the bounce. St George FC suffered a tight 1-0 loss to Hills United FC in their home game.

Backing up their first home win at Village Green, UNSW FC have been impressive in the first three weeks of the League One Womens season. Margaux Montegut has fitted into the side well and will be in for a big performance against the Saints.

St George FC will be looking towards bouncing back to form as they push for victory against UNSW on Sunday.

St George have the prospect of Jordan Baker to fire home some goals which could see them take the points in an early season blockbuster.

South East Phoenix FC vs Sutherland Shire FA, Sunday 2 April, 3:15pm, South Nowra Football Complex

South East Phoenix FC will entertain the Sutherland Shire FA down at South Nowra Football Complex on Sunday afternoon.

South East Phoenix FC will be looking at redeeming themselves after their heavy 7-0 loss to Nepean FC at the same ground last weekend. Sutherland Shire FA were unable to hold their lead in a 1-1 draw with Blacktown City FC.

The hosts were unable to find their rhythm last week and hope to march forward from the opening whistle in this game. They do have the scoring ability in Madison Cater and Amanda Carney to trouble any team in the division and it will be these two stars that could be the game changers in this intriguing clash.

While the attackers take much of the plaudits in football, there is always room for some love for the defenders in the game. Sutherland Shire FA’s Genevieve Nisbet continues to lead the side admirably and showed last week with a goal line clearance how vital she is to the team at both ends.

Hills United FC vs Blacktown City FC, Sunday 2 April, 3:45pm, Bella Vista Public School

We finish the weekend with a Western Sydney derby between Hills United FC and Blacktown City FC at Bella Vista Public School on Sunday afternoon.

Both sides have had a fine starts to the season and look to continue that on Sunday afternoon.

Hills United FC triumphed over St George FC 1-0 while Blacktown City FC were held to a 1-1 draw against the Sutherland Shire FA.

Hills United FC have hummed along like a well-oiled machine with two wins and a draw thus far and are aiming for their first three points at home this year. Key for the hosts will be the performance of Brooke Hastie who has scored and assisted a goal in the last fortnight.

For Blacktown City FC, this might be their first big test of their defence this season. Coach David O’Keefe has praised his back four in their performances thus far and alongside keeper Kiara Rochaix will be big features if they are to get the win.

By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)