Round 23 Preview – League One Women’s
Round 23 in the Football NSW League One Women’s competition shapes up to be another exciting installment as the season enters its final month.
There are seven matches to enjoy on Super Sunday, highlighted by SD Raiders FC vs UNSW FC in the Match of the Round.
Let’s get onto the preview.
Match of the Round: SD Raiders FC vs UNSW FC, Sunday 13 August, 3:15pm, Ernie Smith Reserve
Our Match of the Round sees SD Raiders FC take on UNSW FC at Ernie Smith Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
SD Raiders FC will be refreshed headed into this game after their game against Central Coast Mariners last weekend was washed out.
The hosts showed in their loss to St George FC that they can match it with their top teams and will be keen for a repeat on Sunday.
They will look to their strike partnership in Abuk Nyor and Isabella Sultan to find the back of the net against the title chasing students.
UNSW FC were comfortable 4-0 winners against Camden Tigers and kept on pace for their title ambitions.
The students attack is clicking on all cylinders in recent weeks. They have scored 15 goals in the last fortnight and will look to add to that total.
Mid-season signing Princess Ibini has started to find the back of the net in recent weeks which adds another weapon in their attack.
This game will be streamed live on NPL.TV on Sunday afternoon with the wonderful Megan Grew behind the microphone for the contest.
Nepean FC vs South Coast Flame FC, Sunday 13 August, 3pm, Cook Park
Finals hopefuls Nepean FC and South Coast Flame FC do battle in their game at Cook Park on Sunday afternoon.
Nepean FC were held to a 1-1 draw in their game against fourth place St George FC down at Ilinden Sports Centre.
This game is vital for Nepean FC to keep their finals charge alive and Ben Gough will have his side primed for a big performance.
The hosts will look to both Maria Serrant and Sofia Sollecito to find the back of the net in this game and take three points.
They do have experienced custodian Chloe Carmichael who has made some key saves for the team and might need a big performance on Sunday afternoon.
South Coast Flame FC thrashed Inter Lions to kick off Round 22 last weekend and moved into fifth spot on the League One Women’s ladder.
Bronte Trew stormed to the top of the League One Women’s top scorer list after her seven goals against Inter Lions.
The Flame have won back-to-back games and hope that they can capitalise on any slip up from fourth place St George FC.
Sutherland Shire FA vs Hills United FC, Sunday 13 August, 3pm, Harrie Denning Centre
Sutherland Shire FA welcome Hills United FC to Harrie Denning Centre for their game on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts recorded back-to-back wins after their 1-0 win over Marconi Stallions at Harrie Denning Centre last weekend.
Sutherland Shire FA were narrowly beaten in the Round 10 meeting between these two sides and hope to avenge that defeat on Sunday.
They will look to their captain in Genevieve Nisbet to lead from the front and help them towards three points and move closer to the top half of the table.
Hills United FC ran rampant in their 8-0 win over South East Phoenix FC at Bella Vista Public School last weekend.
They have found their groove again just in time for finals football and hope to hold onto third place and host the semi-final.
Imogen Lane has been leading the line for Hills United FC, scoring four goals in their last win and hoping to add further to her tally this weekend.
Inter Lions vs Marconi Stallions, Sunday 13 August, 3pm, Majors Bay Reserve
Inter Lions host Marconi Stallions in their game to be played at Majors Bay Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
The Lions have endured a tough fortnight with two huge losses against UNSW FC and South Coast Flame FC.
It has been a tough season for Inter Lions and they hope to pick up some points to end the season and possibly move off the bottom of the ladder.
They will look to Riley Dennis up top to get them on the scoresheet and add to her goal tally for the 2023 season.
Marconi Stallions went down in a 1-0 loss to Sutherland Shire FA in their game at Harrie Denning Centre last weekend.
The Stallions have shown defensive resolve in recent weeks and hope they can add goals to their performance to take home three points.
They have struggled this season but the Stallions have plenty of talent in their squad including attacker Erin Cleghorn.
Camden Tigers vs Central Coast Mariners, Sunday 13 August, 3pm, Ron Dine Reserve
Camden Tigers host league leaders Central Coast Mariners in their game at Ron Dine Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
The Tigers were gallant in their 4-0 defeat against title chasing UNSW FC at The Village Green last weekend.
They will look to put in another solid performance against the leaders and look to finish their season with a few more wins.
Central Coast Mariners had a washout against SD Raiders FC in their home game scheduled for Pluim Park.
The Mariners will be primed for the run home with the rest and remain on top of the League One Womens competition.
They will look to their top scorer Chloe Smith to find the back of the net again and add to her goal tally of 20 thus far this season.
South East Phoenix FC vs Mt Druitt Town Rangers, Sunday 13 August, 3:15pm, South Nowra Football Complex
Mt Druitt Town Rangers take a trip down to South Nowra Football Complex to face off against South East Phoenix FC on Sunday afternoon.
South East Phoenix FC were beaten 8-0 in their game against Hills United FC down at Bella Vista Public School last weekend.
It has been a rough stretch for the Phoenix who have struggled with injuries and numbers but have tried their best in all their games.
The Town Rangers were in fine form in their 3-1 win over Blacktown City FC in the Match of the Round last weekend.
They are looking to finish the last month of the season with a bang and consolidate their spot in the top half of the League One Women’s table.
Their front three is clicking on all cylinders with Hitomi Maeda and Rita Boateng both on the scoresheet with Holly Pender having two assists.
Blacktown City FC vs St George FC, Sunday 13 August, 4pm, Landen Stadium
Rounding off the weekend is Blacktown City FC taking on St George FC at Landen Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Blacktown City FC featured in the Match of the Round last weekend, losing to Mt Druitt Town Rangers 3-1 at Popondetta Park.
In a trying season, Jenny Hughes has been a constant performer for Blacktown City FC and found the back of the net in the loss.
They showed in the second half they can be resilient in defence and will need to repeat that dose against the high flying Saints side.
St George FC shared the points in their 1-1 draw against finals chasing Nepean FC in their home game last weekend.
The Saints have a simple task in front of them to play finals football. They just need to keep winning games with their eight-point lead over the chasing pack.
They have plenty of attacking options up top but they will need goalkeeper Alexandra Hinson to be in good form to repel Blacktown City FC.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
