Round 14 Preview – League One Women’s

We are past the halfway mark in the Football NSW League One season and UNSW FC lead the way with Central Coast Mariners and Hills United FC chasing them.

Round 14 features seven wonderful games to enjoy including the Match of the Round between Central Coast Mariners and St George FC. Let’s get onto the preview.

Match of the Round: Central Coast Mariners vs St George FC, Sunday 11 June, 3pm, Pluim Park

The Match of the Round sees Central Coast Mariners host St George FC at Pluim Park on Sunday afternoon.

Central Coast Mariners finished off a big week for the club with a comfortable win over South Coast Flame FC at home last weekend.

Young striker Chloe Smith continued her strong form with a pair of goals which took her to 13 goals for the season and equal top League One Womens scorer.

Dan Barrett will hope his side can avoid making it three weeks in a row conceding first and needing to produce a comeback for three points.

St George FC were able to dig themselves out of a two-goal hole to snatch a point from Marconi Stallions in their game last Sunday afternoon.

It kept up their good form which has seen the Saints move themselves into the top four and set themselves up for the second half of the season.

These two teams played the first Match of the Round this season which saw Central Coast Mariners triumph so St George FC will be keen on revenge this weekend.

Join the ‘Voice of the Central Coast’ Pete Prior who will be calling this game for NPL.TV on Sunday afternoon.

Nepean FC vs SD Raiders FC, Sunday 11 June, 3pm, Cook Park

Nepean FC host SD Raiders FC in an important game to be played at Cook Park on Sunday afternoon.

The hosts were featured in the Match of the Round last weekend and were victorious over Camden Tigers.

Nepean FC’s front three including hat-trick hero Sofia Sollecito were in fine form in the win and hope to replicate that effort against the dogged SD Raiders FC defence.

Keeper Chloe Carmichael wasn’t called upon often but produced some good saves and might be busy again this weekend.

SD Raiders FC bounced back to get a point in their game against Sutherland Shire FA down at Ernie Smith Reserve last Sunday night.

It was a big moment for Miriam Zumaya who got her maiden first grade goal for SD Raiders FC and has had an impact in her appearances recently.

They will lean on the experience of Tahlia Voskanian and captain Natasha Pentecost to get the result away from home.

Mt Druitt Town Rangers vs Inter Lions, Sunday 11 June, 3pm, Popondetta Park

High flying Mt Druitt Town Rangers host Inter Lions in their game at Popondetta Park on Sunday afternoon.

The Rangers suffered defeat on Sunday but have had a positive first half to their League One Womens campaign.

These two sides played a thrilling game back in Round 1 which saw Mt Druitt Town Rangers win so Neil Ross will want his side to complete the season double.

They will look to both Rita Boateng and Anicka Castaneda up top to spearhead the result and possibly move into the top four.

Inter Lions scored first but fell to a defeat in their travels to Nowra against South East Phoenix FC in Round 13.

The Lions were down on troops but not spirit and still have moments in games where they lose focus which has cost them in recent weeks.

Sutherland Shire FA vs UNSW FC, Sunday 11 June, 3pm, Harrie Denning Centre

Sutherland Shire FA face off against league leaders UNSW FC at Harrie Denning Centre on Sunday afternoon.

The hosts come into this game off a draw with SD Raiders FC and will look to cause an upset against the leaders to kick off the second half of their campaign.

They have some potent goal scoring options including Violet Keelan and Alina Stojcevski who will do battle with the league’s best attack.

Sutherland Shire FA kept it close against UNSW FC in their game back in Round 1 and hope to turn the result around on their home ground.

UNSW FC got through the first half of the League One Womens season undefeated and at the top of the table and ready to roll forward.

They had a comfortable win over Blacktown City FC in their travels to Western Sydney with another clean sheet for Tiahna Robertson.

The students have made contributions all across the park including goals from Margaux Montegut and Eve Hess last week which has helped their success.

One huge name that will certainly look towards tearing up the opposition and competition will be UNSW FC’s star recruit Princess Ibini-Isei. The capped Matilda and Sydney FC star signed with the students this week and will no doubt bring an enormous amount of quality with her.

Camden Tigers vs South East Phoenix FC, Sunday 11 June, 3pm Ron Dine Reserve

Back home, Camden Tigers welcome South East Phoenix FC to Ron Dine Reserve in a big game on Sunday afternoon.

Camden Tigers featured in the Match of the Round and battled hard before they lost to Nepean FC at Cook Park last weekend.

The Tigers have shown improvement in the last fortnight and Jade Constance has been a standout with her work down on the wing roaming up and down.

South East Phoenix FC head up the highway full of confidence after back-to-back wins which has lifted them off the bottom of the League One Womens ladder.

The visitors have shown superb defensive resolve in recent weeks and they hope for their first clean sheet on Sunday afternoon.

Marconi Stallions vs Blacktown City FC, Sunday 11 June, 3pm, Wanderers Football Park

Marconi Stallions host Blacktown City FC down at Wanderers Football Park on Sunday afternoon.

The Stallions were pegged back after leading by two goals to share the points with St George FC last weekend.

It was a good fight back after their Match of the Round defeat and Andy Severin will want them to take the same effort into this contest at home.

Marconi Stallions have started to get back some of their players including Daniela Brekic which should help them in their quest to make the top four.

Blacktown City FC were beaten by league leaders UNSW FC in their game at Landen Stadium last weekend.

They will take some confidence into this fixture after winning the first fixture and look to arrest their recent slide in form.

Custodian Kiara Rochaix has been a bright spot for Blacktown City FC with her goal keeping and will need to be on song again to repel the Stallions.

Hills United FC vs South Coast Flame FC, Sunday 11 June, 3:45pm, Bella Vista Public School

Rounding off the weekend is Hills United FC taking on South Coast Flame FC at Bella Vista Public School on Sunday afternoon.

Hills United FC got back in the winner’s circle with their close win over Mt Druitt Town Rangers in the west.

They have lent on their defence in recent weeks with Cassandra Wheeler and Leah Tallon playing standout roles for Hills United FC.

Up top, Hills United FC will want to reignite their goal scoring form. Imogen Lane and Stefanie Trovato both have form in finding the back of the net.

South Coast Flame FC have hit a roadblock in recent weeks with back-to-back losses and have dropped out of the League One Womens top four.

The return of Bronte Trew has been a huge gain for South Coast Flame FC as they look to be the first side to defeat Hills United FC.

When these two met back in Round 1, Hills United FC won in dominant fashion so South Coast Flame FC will be keen to get retribution.

By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)