Round 24 Preview – League One Women’s
Round 24 in the Football NSW League One Women’s competition is packed to the brim with exciting games to enjoy across the whole weekend.
There is a double header on Saturday and five games to see on Sunday afternoon including the Match of the Round between St George FC and Inter Lions.
Let’s get onto the preview.
Match of the Round: St George FC vs Inter Lions, Sunday 19 August, 3pm, Ilinden Sports Centre
The Match of the Round sees St George FC hosting Inter Lions at Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon.
St George FC held off a gallant Blacktown City FC in a 3-2 last weekend which kept them eight points ahead of the chasing pack.
Caitlin Campbell marked her second game back with a goal and she will add more grit to the St George FC midfield in this contest.
The Saints will want to keep up their recent form and lock down their spot in the top four before the last round of the season.
Inter Lions got back in the winner’s circle after their late 2-1 win over Marconi Stallions at Majors Bay Reserve last weekend.
They can move off the bottom of the League One Women’s competition with another positive result on Sunday afternoon.
Top scorer Riley Dennis will be a big figure for the Lions in this fixture after a brace in the win to take her tally to 18 goals for the season.
This game will be broadcast on NPL.TV on Sunday afternoon with Megan Grew behind the microphone for what shapes up to be an entertaining contest.
Hills United FC vs SD Raiders FC, Saturday 18 August, 7pm, Landen Stadium
Third place Hills United FC host SD Raiders FC under the lights at Landen Stadium for their game on Saturday night.
Hills United FC rescued a late draw in their 2-2 game against Sutherland Shire FA down at Harrie Denning Centre on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts might not have won but picking up points is crucial for them to maintain third place and avoid facing off the Premiers in the semi-finals.
Aisling Davidson is one of the unsung heroes for Hills United FC. She has popped up with crucial goals and tackles to help get the side wins.
SD Raiders FC featured in the Match of the Round against UNSW FC and fell to a fighting 2-0 defeat on their home ground.
The young side have developed well through the season, and they will look to finish off the season with some positive results and maybe an upset.
They have been solid in defence which will make it tough for Hills United FC to break down and take home all three points.
South Coast Flame FC vs Blacktown City FC, Saturday 18 August, 7:30pm, Sir Ian McLennan Oval
South Coast Flame FC host Blacktown City FC in their game down at Sir Lan McLennan Oval on Saturday night.
Flame kept the light burning for their finals ambitions with their close win over Nepean FC at Cook Park last weekend.
They do have a catch-up against Marconi which will help their cause but they need to keep winning to maintain the rage on fourth place St George FC.
Helping their cause is their potent front three. Bronte Trew leads the goalscoring while Cristina Barraza and Lulu Lozano do good work on the wings.
Blacktown City FC put up a good fight in their 3-2 loss to St George FC in their game at Landen Stadium last weekend.
The visitors have had a tough campaign but one of the bright spots has been the young talent they brought through including 16-year-old defender Samantha Cole who made her starting debut.
They looked to be locked into tenth spot but hope to pick up a few wins in the last three weeks of the season.
Marconi Stallions vs Camden Tigers, Sunday 19 August, 3pm, Marconi Stadium
Back at Marconi Stadium, Marconi Stallions host Camden Tigers in an intriguing game on Sunday afternoon.
The Stallions were made to pay for their missed chances in their 2-1 defeat against Inter Lions last weekend.
Andy Severin will have the side having shooting practice to avoid a similar fate against Camden Tigers on Sunday afternoon.
It is a welcome return to Marconi Stadium for the side and they will want to celebrate it with three points in this game.
Camden Tigers were beaten but not disgraced in their 3-1 loss to leaders Central Coast Mariners on home turf last weekend.
Samantha Cefai found the back of the net in her second game back and is equal top scorer with Kristy Rohrer. Both will want to add to their tally on Sunday afternoon.
Central Coast Mariners vs South East Phoenix FC, Sunday 19 August, 3pm, Pluim Park
Leaders Central Coast Mariners host South East Phoenix FC in the distance derby at Pluim Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Mariners made it back-to-back wins after their comfortable win over Camden Tigers in the south-west last weekend.
Midfield general Sophie Nenadovic scored a pair of goals in their win and has been one of the driving forces of their push for the title.
Central Coast hold their fate in their own hands with a catch-up against SD Raiders FC to be played and just need to keep winning.
South East Phoenix FC battled hard in their 5-1 defeat to Mt Druitt Town Rangers in their game down in Nowra last weekend.
Despite their recent results, Phoenix FC have been showing up for each game and unveiled talent like youngster April Rowley who scored last weekend.
They also have a mid-week game to deal with against UNSW FC and could give their opponents a boost if they can cause a boilover.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers vs Sutherland Shire FA, Sunday 19 August, 3pm, Popondetta Park
Mt Druitt Town Rangers welcome Sutherland Shire FA down to Popondetta Park for their game on Sunday afternoon.
The Town Rangers were comfortable in their 5-1 win over South East Phoenix FC at South Nowra Football Complex.
It has been a much smoother sophomore season for Mt Druitt and Neil Ross hopes it might be a building block to a finals charge next season.
Both Hitomi Maeda and Anicka Castenada have been vital to their success and will be keen to add more goals to their tally on the weekend.
Sutherland Shire FA shared the points with Hills United FC in their 2-2 draw at Harrie Denning Centre last weekend.
They have rebounded well after their mid-season slump and aim to finish 2023 on a high and take home three points.
These two played out a fantastic draw back in Round 11 for the Match of the Round and their clash on Sunday should be similarly ferocious.
USNW FC vs Nepean FC, Sunday 19 August, 3pm, The Village Green
Title contenders UNSW FC face off against Nepean FC in their game at The Village Green on Sunday afternoon.
The students kept alive their title chances with their 2-0 win over SD Raiders FC in the Match of the Round last weekend.
It is a big week for UNSW FC with their mid-week trip to Nowra on Tuesday night which could see them move to the top of the table.
Coach Guillermo Rubio will look to manage his team with two games and lean on experienced campaigners like Hannah Beard in this game.
Nepean FC suffered a huge blow to their finals chances after their close loss to South Coast Flame FC at Cook Park.
The young side has shown they can cause an upset and can now play spoiler for UNSW FC’s hopes to lift the Premiership.
They have plenty of attacking threat in Ella Joyce and Maria Serrant up top which might cause the students defence problems.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
