Futsal Premier League Open Women’s Round 8 Preview
The Futsal Premier League Open Women competition is tightening up as approach round eight with five teams within six points of each other.
An action-packed Saturday ahead, let’s get into the preview.
Boomerangs FS v Mascot Vipers; Saturday 4 November, 3:50pm, Mpowerdome
An important three points is up for grabs as Boomerangs FS host Mascot Vipers in the nation’s capital.
Winning their second game of the season last weekend, Boomerangs FS will come into this one in a good mood. With two games in hand still, they sit five points from semifinal contention so a win here could set them on their way.
In their victory against Enfield Allstars last weekend, Elke Aitolu scored her second and third goal in the open women season. While Jess Giovinazzo saved a 10m penalty in the final stages to ensure that win.
Mascot Vipers find themselves on the edge of the top four with a game in hand and they won’t be willing to give an inch to their hosts in this one. Last weekend they were beaten by Macarthur Quake in a thrilling contest at home.
Standing out in that one was Trudy Camilleri who used her experience to the Vipers advantage. Look out for her and her teammates as they look to take their game to the next level in the second half of the season.
Eastern Suburbs Hakoah Futsal Club v Mountain Majik Futsal Club; Saturday 4 November, 3:50pm, Heffron Centre
On paper, this could be the pick of the weekend as Eastern Suburbs Hakoah host Mountain Majik in round eight action.
Three weeks without a victory, Eastern Suburbs Hakoah will be wanting to turn results around if they hold ambitions for semi-final football. However, it won’t be easy here against our competition leaders approaching the second half of the season.
Last weekend, they were involved in a high scoring draw with Dural Warriors away from home. They did put in an impressive performance there, denied by some outstanding keeping. Their standouts including Gisella Pipino, Aurelia Colliins, Tamires Souza and Zoe Anderson.
Back-to-back victories for Mountain Majik prove they are not going away in 2023. Sitting atop of the table with a two-point lead, they have made a habit of winning close games including against UTS Northside and Boomerangs in as many weeks.
Last weekend it was the efforts of Ella Buchanan, Olivia Schembri and Clare Holder which led them to a second half comeback against UTS Northside. Their efforts closing down Daisy Arrowsmith important in the victory.
Macarthur Quake Futsal v UTS Northside Futsal Club; Saturday 4 November, 3:50pm, Minto Indoor Sports Centre
Having faced off last Sunday, Macarthur Quake have a chance at redemption when they host UTS Northside.
If there was any doubt that this is a close competition, you only have to look to last weekend and Macarthur Quake. On the one hand, they beat Mascot Vipers in inspirational fashion on Saturday before they tasted defeat less than 24 hours later against UTS Northside.
Crucial to their efforts Saturday was the performance of Maddie Malone who scored two goals after a tough week. Losing to this opponent last Saturday, they don’t lack motivation for this one, Saturday.
Like their opponents, UTS Northside also had a mixed weekend with one victory and one defeat. Bouncing back on Sunday with a victory over Macarthur Quake, they were beaten the day before by Mountain Majik.
UTS Northside proving too good on the Sunday with five different goal scorers, two of those coming in the opening two minutes of the fixture.
Enfield Allstars v Dural Warriors; Saturday 4 November, 5:20pm, Morris Iemma Indoor SC
Eighth placed Enfield Allstars host an inform Dural Warriors to conclude the weekends action at Morris Iemma Indoor SC.
Close but not close enough, Enfield Allstars put together another couple of respectable results last weekend without reward. They lost against Boomerangs FS on Saturday by a single goal margin before losing by two goals in this same fixture last Sunday.
In both games, they were in the lead at some point in the second half with Erin Jones, Mona Walker and Jordan Jasnos all finding the back of the net.
Their opponents Dural Warriors made the most of a double header home weekend with two victories. On Saturday, they drew with Hakoah FC before they picked up a victory on Sunday over Enfield Allstars.
In the Hakoah game, Sarah Easthope once again proved pivotal, winning her side a point. Before they picked up a victory over Enfield Allstars with Kayla Osborn scoring a hat-trick, not bad considering they were missing Rachel Perrins.
By Justin Smith
