Futsal Premier League Open Women’s Round 9 Preview
Six points separate the top five as we approach round nine of the Futsal Premier League Open Women competition this weekend.
Highlighted by our second grand final replay, there’s plenty of enticing storylines approaching the weekend.
Mountain Majik Futsal Club v Enfield Allstars; Saturday 11 November, 3:30pm, Penrith Valley Regional SC
It’s top against bottom as Mountain Majik host Enfield Allstars this weekend. Could we see a surprise here?
Three victories in a row, Mountain Majik did it in more comfortable fashion last weekend scoring seven goals. Equaling their best goal tally, it was an impressive performance which replicated their first-round success over Eastern Suburbs Hakoah.
It was a top team effort with three youth players breaking into the team. While Clare Holder scored four goals, though as I said, it was a team effort.
They face a Enfield Allstars side who once again showed improvement last weekend. Facing Dural Warriors twice in a week, it was noted that the second performance was the better one from the Allstars.
As such, there is reason to believe another result/win is around the corner. Last week seeing the introduction of Llara Llorente and Lorena Munoz Bravo to the side.
Dural Warriors v Boomerangs FS; Saturday 11 November, 3:50pm, The Centre Dural
Dural Warriors will put their five-game unbeaten run on the line against Boomerangs FS both home and away this weekend.
A weekend which could solidify their spot in the top four, Dural Warriors will want to lay down a foundation for their reverse fixture a day later. On 14 points after seven games, they could find themselves top if results go their way.
Last weekend, they put together perhaps their best performance of the season against Enfield Allstars. Rachel Perrins returned to the side with a brace in a good all round team effort.
Boomerangs FS will have plenty of motivation however coming up against them. They need a result this weekend to remain in semi-final contention with just six points from their six games.
The club also find themselves bottom of the club championship so they can look to that as well. Last week Stefanie Lejins and both De Marco’s were their best, but they’ll look to improve in the final quarter of the game after conceding two late goals last weekend which consigned them to defeat.
Mascot Vipers v UTS Northside Futsal Club; Saturday 11 November, 3:50pm, Heffron Centre
Another top four clash awaits us as fourth placed Mascot Vipers host second placed UTS Northside at the Heffron Centre.
Mascot Vipers come into this grand final rematch on the back of a much-needed win last weekend. Having found themselves sitting outside the four, they secured an important victory over Boomerangs last weekend despite being down on numbers.
Trudy Camilleri scored two goals at an important moment in that one while Demi Koulikas and Maryam Mostaghimii stepped up to give the Vipers victory, so they stand as our players to watch ahead of this one.
They come up against UTS Northside in peak form this season. Four wins in their last five, they have risen to second place, three points above their opposition this weekend.
Not only that, but they have also scored a lot of goals in their last two matches (both against Macarthur Quake). Last weekend prevailing 6-0 with Emily Bastow scoring the goals and Samantha Fulwood preventing them.
Macarthur Quake Futsal v Eastern Suburbs Hakoah Futsal Club; Saturday 11 November, 5:20pm, Minto Indoor Sports Centre
Finally, Macarthur Quake will be looking to return to the top four when they host Eastern Suburbs Hakoah at Minto Indoor Sports Centre.
One of those games where the scoreline doesn’t tell the truth, Macarthur Quake were left wondering how they emerged on the wrong end of a 6-0 result weekend against UTS Northside. Indeed, they will be thankful for coming up against fresh faces this Saturday.
Their focus this weekend will be making the most of the chances presented to them. Still positives going forward, they could return to the top four with a victory here.
At the time of writing, it’s been a month since Eastern Suburbs Hakoah last tasted victory in the Open Women competition. Yeah, things just don’t seem to be going their way at moment as the top four have gradually slipped away.
Last weekend, they went down to Mountain Majik by the same scoreline as their first meeting. They will be hoping that a result here can spark a revival in hopes they can play semi-finals football.
R2 Fixture: Boomerangs FS v Dural Warriors; Sunday 12 November, 3:40pm, Mpowerdome
By Justin Smith
