Round 9 Preview – League One Women’s
Round 9 in the Football NSW League One Women’s competition sees the beginning of a busy period for clubs heading towards the colder months. We have seven games to seek out this weekend highlighted by the Match of the Round between South Coast Flame FC and Bankstown City Lions FC. Let’s get onto the preview.
Match of the Round: South Coast Flame FC vs Bankstown City Lions FC, Saturday 27 April, 7pm, Sir Ian McLennan Park
South Coast Flame FC host Bankstown City Lions FC at Sir Ian McLennan Park on Saturday night.
The Flame head into this game off a comfortable 2-0 win against Camden Tigers at Ron Dine Reserve last weekend.
Cristina Barraza scored their second goal from the spot and look to add to her tally of seven goals for the season.
Between the sticks, Ciara Wade kept a clean sheet and she will need a big performance against the Lions attack on Saturday.
Bankstown City Lions battled hard but fell 3-2 to Mt Druitt Town Rangers in their game at Jensen Park.
The Lions had a changed line-up for that game but a constant is Aya Seino who scored twice in the defeat.
They will want to bounce back with three points and push forward to earn their goals for the League One Women’s season.
This game will be streamed live on the Football NSW YouTube with Tomas Phillips behind the microphone for the contest.
Central Coast Mariners FC vs St George FC, Sunday 28 April, 3pm, Pluim Park
Central Coast Mariners welcome St George FC to Pluim Park for their game on Sunday afternoon.
The Mariners will be refreshed after their clash against Sutherland Strikers FC was washed out last weekend.
Last week was a false start for the Mariners return to Pluim Park and they hope for clearer weather and three points.
These two sides have been consistent top four sides in recent seasons and this game shapes up as a crucial encounter.
St George FC had a strong 4-0 against South East Phoenix FC down at Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon.
The Saints have hit their stride in recent weeks and hope they can be the first side to win at Pluim Park this season.
The combination between Janan Codmani and Jaslyn Moore has been a consistent force for St George FC all season.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC vs Camden Tigers FC, Sunday 28 April, 3pm, Popondetta Park
Mt Druitt Town Rangers host Camden Tigers in their game at Popondetta Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Town Rangers took the spoils in a pulsating 3-2 win against Bankstown City Lions FC at Jensen Park.
Rita Boateng showed off her full range of skills with a superb bicycle kick for the winner and she will be pumped up for another big performance.
They also have a big Sapphire Cup fixture against leaders Hills United FC in what is a big week for the club.
The Tigers were beaten 2-0 by South Coast Flame FC in their game at Ron Dine Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
Camden Tigers hope to take the performance into this game and possibly cause an upset on the weekend.
The visitors will need custodian Brianna Clark to provide some more stellar saves against the Town Rangers strikers to get a positive result.
South East Phoenix FC vs Inter Lions FC, Sunday 28 April, 3:15pm, South Nowra Football Complex
South East Phoenix FC take on Inter Lions down at South East Phoenix FC at South Nowra Football Complex on Sunday afternoon.
The Phoenix were beaten 4-0 against a rampant St George FC side at Ilinden Sports Centre last weekend.
Both points for South East Phoenix FC have come at home so they will be keen to add to their total in this game.
The hosts will look to Sarah Kilby and Peta Cottington to push the side forward and their first three points of the season.
Inter Lions battled hard in their 4-2 loss to SD Raiders FC in their game at Ernie Smith Reserve last Sunday.
The Lions will eye off this game as one where they can get back in the winner’s circle for their second win of the season.
Emma Chiew has made a positive impact in her last two games including scoring a goal last weekend.
SD Raiders FC vs Sutherland Strikers FC, Sunday 28 April, 3:30pm, Ernie Smith Reserve
SD Raiders FC welcome Sutherland Strikers FC down to Ernie Smith Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts kept their unbeaten run going with a 4-2 win against Inter Lions FC at Ernie Smith Reserve.
It is a busy week for SD Raiders FC with two games including their catch-up game against Blacktown City FC on Tuesday night which they won 3-1.
SD Raiders FC captain Elin Rosenberg Cemazar has led from the front with her goals thus far this season and will do the same on Sunday.
Sutherland Strikers had the weekend off after their clash against Central Coast Mariners FC was washed out.
The Strikers play their first Sapphire Cup game against Quakers Hills Junior SC on Tuesday night and hope the cup competition can bring a change of fortunes.
They have had a rough introduction in the 2024 season but it only takes one result to help change their fortunes.
Hills United FC vs Nepean FC, Sunday 28 April, 3:45pm, Bella Vista Public School
Unbeaten Hills United FC face off against Nepean FC at Bella Vista Public School on Sunday afternoon.
Hills United FC were 1-0 winners over local rivals Blacktown City FC in the Match of the Round last weekend.
Coach Alan Tasses has said his side hasn’t hit their stride yet in 2024 but despite that they remain on top of the League One Women’s ladder.
Bianca Galayini is one of the unsung heroes of the Hills United FC with her work through midfield and her leadership.
Nepean FC showed plenty of heart in their 3-2 defeat to Marconi Stallions at Cook Park last Sunday afternoon.
Catriona Haberman was back on the scoresheet for Nepean in the loss and she will be keen to repeat the dose on Sunday.
They had plenty of chances against the Stallions and will need to find the back of the net against a strong Hills United FC side.
Blacktown City FC vs Marconi Stallions FC, Sunday 28 April, 4pm, Landen Stadium
Rounding off the weekend is Blacktown City FC taking on Marconi Stallions at Landen Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts were gallant in their 1-0 defeat against Hills United FC in the Match of the Round last weekend.
Blacktown City FC have had a good start to the season and there might be further additions for the side in the next few weeks.
Both Jenny Hughes and Claire Szymoniczek put in a good shift last weekend and their work up front is vital for the hosts.
Marconi Stallions held off a late charge from Nepean FC to win 3-2 in their game at Cook Park last weekend.
The Stallions have back-to-back wins now and they look to make it three on the bounce with another away game.
Marie Herrera found the back of the net in the win and she will be keen to add to her goal tally on Sunday afternoon.
Sapphire Cup Fixtures:
The rest of the League One Women’s teams who have entered the Sapphire Cup play their first games this midweek. It is headlined by a League One Women’s clash between Hills United FC and Mt Druitt Town Rangers on Wednesday night. Tuesday night sees Sutherland Strikers travel to face Quakers Hills Junior SC while St George FC host Woonona Sharks FC and Nepean FC take on Terrigal United FC.
Other fixtures on Wednesday night has Pittswater RSL FC hosting South Coast Flame FC, the unbeaten SD Raiders FC face North Sydney United and Marconi Stallions FC going to Dunbar Rovers FC. Good luck to all the League One Women’s clubs in their games.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
