Round 21 Preview – League One Women’s
Round 21 in the Football NSW League One Women’s competition is a jam-packed edition with several clashes which will help to determine the top four.
Match of the Round: Nepean FC vs Sutherland Shire FA, Sunday 30 July, 3pm, Cook Park
The Match of the Round sees Nepean FC host Sutherland Shire FA down at Cook Park on Sunday afternoon.
Nepean FC kept up their winning ways with a comfortable 2-0 over Mt Druitt Town Rangers in their game last weekend.
They continue on their hunt for the finals and need to cut into St George FC’s five-point lead soon if they are to achieve their aim.
Helping in their work will be their strike partnership. Maria Serrant and Ella Joyce are the top two scorers for Nepean FC and will be keen to find the back of the net.
Sutherland Shire FA made it back-to-back draws with their 1-1 result against Inter Lions at their home ground last weekend.
It was a welcome return for Violet Keelan who came off the bench to get Sutherland Shire FA something from the game.
These two sides are filled with plenty of young talent and it should make for a pulsating game.
The game will be streamed live on NPL.TV on Sunday afternoon as the League One Women’s competition turns into its final corner.
South Coast Flame FC vs South East Phoenix FC, Saturday 29 July, 7:30pm, Sir Ian McLennan Park
The Round kicks off with South Coast Flame FC hosting South East Phoenix FC at Sir Ian McLennan Park on Saturday night.
South Coast Flame were in the Match of the Round last weekend where they were defeated 4-3 by a late St George FC penalty.
The Flame dug deep in that game to take the lead and will use that as motivation to arrest their two-game losing streak on Saturday night.
They will look to wingers Lulu Lozano and Ashley Kostovski to help them pick up three points after scoring last week.
South East Phoenix FC battled hard but were beaten 1-0 by Blacktown City FC in their home game down in Nowra.
It has been a rough trot for Phoenix in recent weeks, but they have shown great spirit in their performances and even handed out some well-earned debuts.
Inter Lions vs UNSW FC, Sunday 30 July, 3pm, Majors Bay Reserve
Inter Lions welcome title chasing UNSW FC to Majors Bay Reserve for their game to be played on Sunday afternoon.
The Lions were well drilled in their 1-1 draw against Sutherland Shire FA as they look to move off the bottom of the League One Women’s ladder.
Alicia Lee found the back of the net for Inter Lions in the result and has started to find consistency in her goal scoring in recent weeks.
They will be without Zoe Katsionis after she was given a red card for a second bookable offence in their game against Sutherland Shire FA.
UNSW FC reignited their title challenge with a dramatic 2-1 win over Central Coast Mariners rounding off last weekend.
They now remain five points back with a game in hand against South East Phoenix FC so the students will be ready to go on Sunday afternoon.
The students also might have found another weapon on the bench. Stephanie Tour scored a bomb to win the game and can be utilized late in the game by Guillermo Rubio.
Marconi Stallions vs Mt Druitt Town Rangers, Sunday 30 July, 3pm, Wanderers Football Park
Marconi Stallions face off against Mt Druitt Town Rangers in their game at Wanderers Football Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Stallions put in a huge shift to hold off Hills United FC and earn themselves a 0-0 in their game at Bella Vista Public School last weekend.
That result broke a recent run of losses for Marconi Stallions and they will want to build on that by taking three points.
Marconi Stallions goalkeeper Yoshimi Miki is one of the best custodians in the league and might prove tough to get past on Sunday afternoon.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers finals hopes were dented in their 2-0 loss to local rivals Nepean FC at Popondetta Park last weekend.
The Town Rangers have made significant strides in 2023 and will look to use the last six weeks as a launching pad for next season.
They have the strike power to break through Marconi’s defence led by Hitomi Maeda and Rita Boateng up the top of the field.
Camden Tigers vs Hills United FC, Sunday 30 July, 3pm, Ron Dine Reserve
Camden Tigers take on third-placed Hills United FC at Ron Dine Reserve in their game on Sunday afternoon.
The Tigers battled hard in their 2-1 loss to SD Raiders FC in their derby game at Ernie Smith Reserve last weekend.
Last time these two faced off Hills United FC won 5-0 so Camden Tigers will want to an improvement on that result at Ron Dine Reserve.
The Tigers will look to these final weeks as a chance to end the season on a high and build for their next campaign.
Hills United FC were held by a dogged Marconi Stallions to a 0-0 draw in their game played at Bella Vista Public School.
Alan Tasses will have the team practicing their goal scoring after the goals have dried up for them in recent weeks as they aim to hold onto third spot.
They might have to fend off St George FC who could jump them into third if they don’t take three points from this game which makes it an important fixture.
SD Raiders FC vs St George FC, Sunday 30 July, 3:15pm, Ernie Smith Reserve
SD Raiders FC look to keep their finals hope alive against St George FC at Ernie Smith Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts made it four wins on the bounce with their 2-1 win over Camden Tigers at their home ground last weekend.
Bojan Radmilo has the side humming and they remain an outside chance in making the top four if they can ride this wave into the final six weeks.
They will need to stack more results including a win over St George FC to help their challenge. They do have Abuk Nyor who has been scoring for fun recently.
St George FC did it again with a late comeback. Nicole Besz stoppage time penalty gave them all three points against South Coast Flame FC.
The Saints are marching into finals in fine form. Jordan Baker scored a wonderful free kick and has started to find the back of the net regularly.
Mark Greenfield will hope the side can put in a better performance and avoid needing some late heroics again in the south-west.
Blacktown City FC vs Central Coast Mariners, Sunday 30 July, 4pm, Landen Stadium
Rounding off the weekend is Blacktown City FC hosting leaders Central Coast Mariners at Landen Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Blacktown City FC turned around their run of outs with a close win over South East Phoenix FC down in Nowra last weekend.
The hosts will be doing finishing drills during the week to help them be clinical in front of goal and possibly cause an upset.
An unsung hero for Blacktown City FC has been Yasmin Aloisio in midfield and her work in supplying their forwards will be key in the game.
Central Coast Mariners suffered a rare defeat against title chasing UNSW FC in the late game last weekend.
Annalise Rasmussen showed off her poacher instincts with a composed finish inside the box and will be keen to add to her tally on Sunday.
Kyara O’Brien has done a good job between the sticks for the Mariners since Kiara Fontanilla departed for the Women’s World Cup and will look for another solid performance.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
