Round 6 Preview – League One Women’s
Round 6 in the Football NSW League One Womens competition is another action-packed weekend of football with seven games to be enjoyed across Sunday.
Our Match of the Round is SD Raiders FC vs Blacktown City FC.
Let’s get onto the preview.
Match of the Round: SD Raiders FC vs Blacktown City FC, Sunday 16 April, 3:15pm, Ernie Smith Reserve
The Match of the Round heads to Ernie Smith Reserve for SD Raiders FC taking on Blacktown City FC, Sunday afternoon.
This will be the third time this season SD Raiders FC appear in front of the cameras and they are one of the four teams without a loss in 2023.
SD Raiders FC have built their game from a strong defensive base which is helped by the leadership of goalkeeper Natasha Pentecost between the sticks.
Sarah Mandile has led the line well for SD Raiders FC and her combination with Elin Rosenberg Cemazar is something that the visitors need to watch out for.
Blacktown City FC will be looking to bounce back after a rough result last weekend and possibly pick up their second win of the season.
The visitors have heralded their defence throughout the first month and they will need to be on their a-game to get something from this game.
Catch all the action on NPL.TV on Sunday afternoon at 3:15pm with Beau Clements behind the microphone.
Nepean FC vs Inter Lions, Sunday 16 April, 3pm, Cook Park
Fifth place Nepean FC host Inter Lions at Cook Park in an intriiguing matchup on Sunday afternoon.
Nepean FC take a three-game unbeaten streak into this home game where they will be confident in their abilities to take three points again.
Jamaica Marshall has goals in her last two games for Nepean FC and she could be a weapon off the bench again for the hosts this weekend.
Last week was the latest speed bump in the road for Inter Lions in their defeat to a rampaging Hills United FC team at home.
Jonathan Webb has kept the spirit high in the Lions side which has helped their strong start and they will look to bounce back this week.
Sitting in 11th spot is a good platform for Inter Lions to build from and the work of Alicia Lee and Natalie Marchese will be key going forward.
Sutherland Shire FA vs Camden Tigers, Sunday 16 April, 5:15pm, Seymour Shaw
Surging Sutherland Shire FA take on Camden Tigers down at Seymour Shaw on Sunday evening.
The hosts head into this game buoyed by their win in the local derby which had broken a streak of three draws before then.
That win pleased Jon Long with how clinical Sutherland Shire FA were in front of goal after missing their chances in previous weeks.
Sutherland Shire FA have developed a strong strike partnership between youngster Violet Keelan and Alina Stojcevski who have both netted recently.
Camden Tigers will look to put their last two losses behind them and notch up their third win of the season and their second away from home.
Troy Witton’s side were unlucky not to take anything from their travels last week and hopefully will turn that into points in the Shire which by no means will be an easy task.
Midfield maestro Merryn Clarke helps to give the Tigers their claws in attack and her work with Samantha Cefai will be vital to their work.
Marconi Stallions vs South Coast Flame FC, Sunday 16 April, 7:15pm, Sir Ian McLennan Oval
Both Marconi Stallions and South Coast Flame FC look to rebound when they clash at Sir Ian McLennan Oval on Sunday afternoon.
The Stallions took the lead in the first half before they were pegged back in their loss last weekend.
Currently in tenth spot, it’s certainly a position Marconi Stallions don’t want to be, but they have some upcoming home games to get themselves on a run.
Goals have been an issue for them thus far, but Lauren Featherstone performed well at striker and might be a solution going forward.
South Coast Flame FC added another point to their tally in their home draw last week which has them sat in seventh spot in the League One Womens table.
While they only have one win in 2023, South Coast Flame FC have been hard to beat with three draws, so teams know they won’t be a pushover.
Coach Daniel Naumovski has built a strong side which includes talents like Lulu Lozano and Christina Videla to help them earn three points.
UNSW FC vs Mt Druitt Town Rangers, Sunday 16 April, 3pm, The Village Green
Back at home, UNSW FC face off against Mt Druitt Town Rangers at The Village Green on Sunday afternoon.
The students had six different goal scorers in their impressive win down in Nowra which was their second win of the campaign.
Captain Sarah Ferris got the scoring going last Sunday and that result shows the depth of goal scoring that UNSW FC possess.
Guillermo Rubio was bullish about his side’s chances in the pre-season and thus far, UNSW FC have justified that tag with their unbeaten start.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers finished their recent homestand with a dramatic win over Camden Tigers who they will meet again in the Sapphire Cup.
The defensive partnership of last week’s match winner Holly Williams and Zineta De Beer has been a constant threat for the Rangers in their tough start.
Up top, Holly Pender is one of the visitors main outlets and looks to find the back of the net to help her side to a possible upset.
South East Phoenix FC vs St George FC, Sunday 16 April, 3:15pm, South Nowra Football Complex
St George FC take the trip down to South Nowra Football Complex to take on South East Phoenix FC on Sunday afternoon.
South East Phoenix FC were made to pay for a slow start in their loss to UNSW FC and will hope for a quicker start in this game.
The hosts have plenty of firepower which will make them a tough outfit for the Saints including Madison Cater and Kate Drinkwalter who have scored this season.
St George FC will be keen to bounce back after losing to their local rivals Sutherland Shire FA in last week’s Match of the Round.
In a losing performance, Kyla Vanderlaan was a standout for St George FC. She was a livewire on the wing and helped create the only goal.
Mark Greenfield was positive about the performance in their loss and hopes they can turn their half chances into goals down in Nowra.
Hills United FC vs Central Coast Mariners, Sunday 16 April, 3:45pm, Bella Vista Public School
Round 6 finishes with a heavyweight clash between Hills United FC and Central Coast Mariners at Bella Vista Public School Sunday afternoon.
Hills United FC maintained their unbeaten start to the year with their huge win over Inter Lions and sit at the top of the League One Womens table.
Coach Alan Tasses has done well with the side after a swathe of departures in the off-season and Hills United FC once again look a top contender.
Bianca Galayini was involved in the goals last week and is proving to be a key cog in Tasses’ side.
Central Coast Mariners remain on their travels with one of their toughest away trips in the competition. But the yellow-and-navy are a worthy opponent coming in unbeaten through five weeks.
Since coming back to the dugout, Dan Barrett has the side firing on all cylinders and their good press helped them overcome Marconi.
Sophie Nenadovic has been one of the main parts of the Mariners midfield and her work alongside veteran star Servet Uzunlar has helped them towards their success.
By Justin Davies (JustDavies90)
