Round 5 Preview – League One Women’s
We have a bumper long weekend of the Football NSW League One Women’s competition as Round 5 stretches over four days.
There are six games set out so fans are spoiled for choice in an excellent weekend of action.
Let’s get onto the preview.
SD Raiders FC vs St George FC, Friday 29 March, 3:30pm, Cirillo Reserve
Kicking off the long weekend is SD Raiders FC hosting St George FC at Cirillo Reserve on Good Friday.
SD Raiders FC continued their unbeaten start with a 2-0 win against the Marconi Stallions last weekend.
They have one of the stoutest defences in the League One Women’s with only one goal conceded thus far.
Upfront, Taiana Almeida has been a great start to her season with five goals and keen to showcase her talent in a mouth-watering contest.
St George FC picked up their third win on the bounce with a 5-0 win against Nepean FC at Ilinden Sports Centre.
The Saints have rebounded from their opening game defeat with three comfortable wins and sit just outside the top four.
They have shown through those wins that they have goal scoring talents across the park ready to fire on Friday.
South Coast Flame FC vs Blacktown City FC, Saturday 30 March, 7:15pm, Sir Ian McLennan Park
Our lone Saturday fixture sees South Coast Flame FC face off against Blacktown City FC at Sir Ian McLennan Park.
The Flame got back in the winner’s circle with a dominant 6-1 win over Sutherland Strikers FC last Saturday.
Paula Mitchell starred for the hosts with a hat-trick and she will be ready to add to her goal tally on Saturday.
Coach Daniel Naumovski will be pleased with the Flame start to the season and they can jump Blacktown City FC with three points.
Blacktown City FC made it back-to-back wins after their 3-0 win against Inter Lions FC at Landen Stadium.
They have had a positive start to the season and can pick up a big scalp against the Flame down at Sir Ian McLennan Park.
Amelia Savetta was back on the scoresheet in their last win and her strike partnership with Jenny Hughes will be vital to a win.
Nepean FC vs Mt Druitt Town Rangers, Sunday 31 March, 3pm, Cook Park
Nepean FC take on Mt Druitt Town Rangers in their game down at Cook Park on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts were beaten 5-0 in their travels to St George FC down at Ilinden Sports Centre last weekend.
Nepean FC have taken their time to find their rhythm in the League One Women’s and hope to get their points tally going soon.
The Town Rangers took the lead but were held to a 1-1 draw with Hills United FC at Popondetta Park.
They will take heart in a positive result without captain Leena Khamis and look to get back to in the winner’s circle.
Isabella Williams got her first goal of the season in the draw and look to push forward again on Sunday.
Bankstown City Lions FC vs Camden Tigers, Monday 1 April, 3pm, Jensen Park
Bankstown City Lions FC welcome Camden Tigers to Jensen Park for their game on Monday afternoon.
The Lions were held to a 2-2 draw against fellow contenders Central Coast down at Jensen Park last weekend.
It is the first points that Bankstown City Lions dropped this season and Ante Covic will be keen for a positive response from his side.
Maryam Mostaghimi has been a valuable member of their midfield and has chipped in with her first goal of the season on Sunday.
The Tigers made it two wins on the bounce after their 3-0 Match of the Round win against South East Phoenix FC.
Lisa Fressard is the leading scorer for the Tigers through the first month and will be keen to add to her tally.
Camden have kept back-to-back clean sheets and much of that has been down to the work of keeper Brianna Clark and captain Charlotte O’Flynn.
South East Phoenix FC vs Marconi Stallions, Monday 1 April, 3:15pm, South Nowra Football Complex
South East Phoenix FC face off against Marconi Stallions down at South Nowra Football Complex on Monday afternoon.
The hosts were valiant in their 3-0 defeat to Camden Tigers in last weekend’s Match of the Round.
While they were beaten, South East Phoenix FC were tough to break down for much of the first half.
Coach Adrian Fuz now will want his side to push forward and start putting the ball in the back of the net.
The Stallions will be keen to get back on the horse after their 2-0 defeat to SD Raiders FC at Marconi Stadium.
Coach Michael Beauchamp acknowledged the side is still finding their feet and a win in Nowra can help kickstart the season.
They will look towards their experienced players in Sarah Urquhart and Michelle Dal Bon to push them ahead.
Hills United FC vs Central Coast Mariners, Monday 1 April, 3:45pm, Bella Vista Public School
Rounding off the long weekend is Hills United FC vs Central Coast Mariners at Bella Vista Public School on Monday afternoon.
Hills United FC dropped their first points in a 1-1 draw with Mt Druitt Town Rangers at Popondetta Park.
These two played out an epic semi-final last season and Hills United FC will want to take the spoils again on Monday.
Alan Tasses hopes they can start turning their chances into goals especially in an early season litmus test.
Central Coast Mariners battled back well to earn a 2-2 draw against high flying Bankstown City Lions last weekend.
The Mariners have already shown this season they will be a tough team to take points with their late equalisers.
The partnership between Annalise Rasmussen and Ava-Marie Carlson might be the key to them breaking down Hills United FC.
Sutherland Strikers FC vs Inter Lions FC will be played Wednesday 3 April as Match of the Round
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
