Round 5 Preview – League One Women’s

The weather might have started to cool down but the action in heating up in the Football NSW League One Womens competition.

We enter the second month of the season with teams ready to keep their momentum going or find some this weekend,

Let’s get onto the preview.

MATCH OF THE ROUND St George FC vs Sutherland Shire FA, Sunday 8 April, 3pm, Ilinden Sports Centre

The Match of the Round sees local rivals St George FC and Sutherland Shire FA clash at Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon in an important game.

It has been a tough opening month for St George FC with two losses and their only win coming against Mt Druitt Town Rangers in Round 2.

St George FC will be keen to be back out on the pitch after the washout last week and get their first win at their new home ground.

They will look towards the leadership of veteran star Caitlin Campbell to get them local bragging rights against a strong Sutherland Shire FA side.

Coming into this game, Sutherland Shire had a steady start to the season with three draws and their only loss coming against UNSW FC in Round 1.

Youngster Violet Keelan burst onto the scene last campaign with her goal scoring and opened her account finding the back of the net last week.

Sutherland Shire FA coach Jon Long will hope his side can break their run of draws and get their first win which would be huge against their local rivals.

Catch all the action on Sunday afternoon from 3pm on NPL.TV with the dulcet tones of Eric Subijano behind the mic for the game.

Blacktown City FC vs Nepean FC, Sunday 8 April, 4pm, Landen Stadium

Landen Stadium is set to host a hotly contested Western Sydney derby between Blacktown City FC and Nepean FC.

Blacktown City FC have been pegged back after their strong start to the season with back-to-back losses in their last two games.

While it hasn’t been the ideal start, the form of Philippines defender Malea Cezar has been stellar alongside the rest of Blacktown’s back four.

Alyse-May Mccutcheon has a knack for scoring big goals for Blacktown City FC and she will relish the opportunity in front of the cameras on Sunday afternoon.

Nepean FC head into this game off two encouraging results. A big win in Nowra before a draw last weekend has them in eighth position.

Ben Gough has helped transform the Nepean FC side since his appointment late last season and they have started to find their rhythm in the past fortnight.

Bronte Connolly leads Nepean FC for goals through four round and is a strike weapon who will need to be monitored by the Blacktown defence.

South Coast Flame FC vs SD Raiders FC, Saturday 7 April, 3:15pm, Sir Ian McLennan Park

We kick off the round on Saturday when South Coast Flame FC host SD Raiders FC at Sir McLennan Park in the afternoon.

After an inconsistent start to the season, South Coast Flame FC broke through for their first win in a 5-0 demolition of Camden Tigers.

Now they head back home to Sir Ian McLennan Park looking to record back-to-back wins and continue their move up the table.

Bronte Trew has been a star through the first month for the Flame with five goals and she will need to be at her best to get past the visitors defence.

For SD Raiders FC, they continue on their travels after a pair of away games which they picked up four points and aim to remain unbeaten.

They are one of the handful of teams that haven’t suffered a loss due to their back four which has seen them only concede four goals.

Kristen Prior in particular has been in red-hot form and will hope she and her troops can command another clean sheet.

Mt Druitt Town Rangers vs Camden Tigers, Sunday 8 April, 3pm, Popondetta Park

Mt Druitt Town Rangers and Camden Tigers face off at Popondetta Park searching for three points on Sunday afternoon.

After their win in the opening weekend, Mt Druitt Town Rangers have found it tough going losing their next three including the Match of the Round last weekend.

Coach Neil Ross has been stung by injuries and absences from his star players including Hitomi Maeda but they have remained competitive thus far.

Mt Druitt were in the game against SD Raiders FC last week with chances late in the game and hope to turn those chances into goals on Sunday afternoon.

For Camden Tigers, it has been a boom or bust start. They have won twice while their two defeats have been by large margins.

The Tigers new signing Samantha Cefai has hit the ground running for the side with five goals thus far and a solid partnership with Jessica Michalak up top.

South East Phoenix FC vs UNSW FC, Sunday 8 April, 3:15pm, South Nowra Football Complex

UNSW FC head on an excursion down to South Nowra Football Complex to take on South East Phoenix FC on Sunday afternoon.

Fresh from their first point of the season, South East Phoenix FC head into this game looking to build on that and entertain the local fans once again.

South East Phoenix FC have been one of the most entertaining teams to watch thus far. Their attack headed by Amanda Carney and Isabella Mcconville will need to be stopped.

Pegged as a side that would challenge in 2023, UNSW FC has started the season well and the students haven’t tasted defeat through the first month.

Marcella Santos has led the line well for UNSW FC, while Miranda Summersby-Mitchell and Amanda Levaskevich have also performed well.

Making the longest trip in the League One Womens competition, Guillermo Rubio will want his side to find the form which saw them storm towards the finals last season.

Inter Lions vs Hills United FC, Monday 9 April, 3pm, Majors Bay Reserve

Unbeaten Hills United FC head across town to face Inter Lions at Majors Bay Reserve on Easter Monday.

Through the first month, Inter coach Jonathan Webb would be delighted with the return with the side getting a breakthrough win and a point against a strong SD Raiders FC side.

Inter Lions face their toughest test thus far with the visit of last year’s Grand Finalists Hills United FC to their home ground.

Fresh from the week off, Inter Lions will tackle this challenge with their renewed spirit and possibly look to cause the upset of the season thus far.

Everything has gone to plan thus far Hills United FC. Alan Tasses’ side has won three of their four games thus far in 2023.

South Coast Flame FC, Blacktown City FC and St George FC have been defeated by the visitors while they had a draw with UNSW FC.

Isabella Sciberras is the top scorer for Hills United FC thus far and her work alongside Imogen Lane will be key to another three points for them.

Marconi Stallions vs Central Coast Mariners, Monday 9 April, 3pm, The CSI Club

Marconi Stallions host Central Coast Mariners in an exciting clash out at the CSI Club in our other Easter Monday game.

This will be the second home game for Marconi Stallions at the CSI Club and they look to get the same result as round two where they won 2-1.

Andy Severin has been pleased with his side’s work picking up four points in the first month but needs his troops to be more clinical in front of goal.

The Stallions have set themselves up well with a rock solid defence led by experienced captain Emma Voloder who will look to repel the Mariners attack.

Central Coast Mariners are flying high after the first month of the League One Womens season with three wins on the trot before a washout last week.

Since returning to the dugout, Dan Barrett has the side firing on all cylinders and ready to go and take home another three points.

Chloe Smith was a star in the first month for the Mariners with two goals and the striker will lead the line again as the visitors look to make it four from four.

By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)