Round 7 Preview – League One Women’s
The Football NSW League One Women’s has started to settle in as we enter Round 7 with teams building their way into the season. We have seven interesting games to enjoy across the weekend with teams aiming for a vital three points. Let’s get onto the preview.
Match of the Round: Central Coast Mariners vs UNSW FC, Sunday 23 April, 3pm, Pluim Park
The cameras head north for Central Coast Mariners vs UNSW FC at Pluim Park for the Match of the Round on Sunday afternoon.
League leaders Central Coast Mariners play their first home after being on the road for the first few weeks and a washout.
They will also be buoyed by staying at the top of the League One Women’s competition after their close win over Hills United FC.
Part of their strong start has been only conceding three goals with the defence led well by Kiara Fontanilla between the sticks.
UNSW FC head up the highway in good form themselves as another of the undefeated sides through the first six weeks of the season.
Marcella Santos has done a fabulous job up top for the students in partnership with Amanda Levaskevich will be key for the visitors chances.
One thing Guillermo Rubio will be drilling into his team will be taking their chances against the Mariners squad in an early season blockbuster.
Join the Voice of Central Coast Football Pete Prior on NPL.TV for the call of this mouthwatering clash on Sunday afternoon.
South Coast Flame FC vs St George FC, Saturday 22 April, 7:30pm, Sir Ian McLennan Park
Our lone Saturday fixture sees South Coast Flame FC host St George FC under the lights at Sir Ian McLennan Park.
South Coast Flame FC finished off Round 6 with three points in their Sunday night clash against Marconi Stallions.
Lulu Lozano was a bright spot for the Flame last season and scored a pair of goals which will give them a strike partner for Bronte Trew up front.
St George FC got their groove back with a big win down in Nowra which saw them be clinical in front of net which pleased coach Mark Greenfield.
They also had a catch-up game on Tuesday night against UNSW FC which was a 2-1 loss with a consolation goal from Jordan Baker to open her account for the season.
Goaltender Alexandra Hinson has been solid since her move from the ACT and has made some key saves for the Saints through six weeks.
Marconi Stallions vs Hills United FC, Sunday 23 April, 3pm, Wanderers Football Park
Marconi Stallions face off against Hills United FC at Wanderers Football Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Stallions have hit a roadblock with back-to-back defeats, but they will have reinforcements to their squad coming in soon.
This will be a tough game for the Stallions so they will look to the leadership of Emma Voloder at the back who help them repel Hills United FC’s attack.
At the pointy end, it will be the work of Julia Figueira and Michelle Dal Bon that will be key to the hosts taking three points.
Hills United FC suffered their first loss in a tight game against Central Coast Mariners and will be keen to bounce back in style.
Alan Tasses should have one of his key forwards in Isabella Sciberras back for this contest which will add to their already potent attack.
The visitors have only conceded four goals through the first six rounds which is down to captain Sarah Easthope who is one of the top custodians in the league.
Inter Lions vs Sutherland Shire FA, Sunday 23 April, 3pm, Majors Bay Reserve
Inter Lions face off against a surging Sutherland Shire FA side at Majors Bay Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
The Lions found another speed bump on their road to improvement in their loss to Nepean FC despite scoring first.
They face another tough challenge in Sutherland Shire FA but the Lions have already shown in 2023 that they have improved from last season.
Sutherland Shire FA come into this game off back-to-back wins after three draws which has them in sixth position on the ladder.
It was another banner game for Violet Keelan and Alina Stojcevski who got the goals for Sutherland Shire FA and continue to move up the goal scoring charts.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers vs Nepean FC, Sunday 23 April, 3pm Popondetta Park
Mt Druitt Town Rangers head back to Popondetta Park to face a rising Nepean FC team in a Sunday afternoon fixture.
Neil Ross will be delighted to get his full-strength line-up back for the first time in 2023 after their close loss to UNSW FC.
They also finished that game strong with a cameo from livewire Rita Boateng who will want to build on her performance in this game.
Nepean FC are full of confidence making the short trip to Popondetta Park after back-to-back wins.
These two sides have started to find their form after a rough 2022 season and this game shapes up as an intriguing encounter in Mt Druitt.
Camden Tigers vs SD Raiders FC, Sunday 23 April, 3pm, Ron Dine Reserve
Camden Tigers host the undefeated SD Raiders FC in a south-west derby at Ron Dine Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
The Tigers will be glad to be back at Ron Dine Reserve after back-to-back defeats in their travels which leaves them in tenth spot on the ladder.
There is plenty of experience in the Camden Tigers team to help them turn the results around including Kristy Rohrer and Ashlee Taff.
SD Raiders FC might be the draw masters of the League One Women’s competition after their fourth draw in last week’s Match of the Round.
Linda Khamis’ young side has already shown they won’t be an easy match up for anyone and will make teams work for three points.
Top scorer Elin Rosenberg Cemazar came on as a substitute and brings energy to the SD Raiders FC side which helped them find an equaliser.
Blacktown City FC vs South East Phoenix FC, Sunday 23 April, 4pm, Landen Stadium
Rounding off the weekend is Blacktown City FC taking on South East Phoenix FC at Landen Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Sitting in twelfth Blacktown City FC will want to build on their point from last weekend with a home game against South East Phoenix FC.
Blacktown City FC started bright in the game and David O’Keefe will want the side to replicate that to get their second win of the season.
South East Phoenix FC head on the road for the second time in 2023 and travel up the highway looking for their first win.
The visitors have enough firepower at the top end of the park to challenge anyone and cause an upset on Sunday afternoon.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
