Round 21 Preview – League One Women’s
Round 21 in the Football NSW League One Women’s competition offers up another intriguing weekend of action headed into the final six weeks.
We have seven games to enjoy across the weekend highlighted by first place Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC hosting third place Bankstown City Lions FC in the Match of the Round.
Let’s get onto the preview.
Match of the Round: Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC vs Bankstown City Lions FC, Sunday 21 July, 3pm, Popondetta Park
Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC face off against Bankstown City Lions FC at Popondetta Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Town Rangers were beaten 3-2 in a wild game against SD Raiders FC at Ernie Smith Reserve last weekend.
They will be without livewire winger Rita Boateng for this game after her late red card in their loss.
They have plenty of firepower left in the team including Rosaria Galea who is a wizard from the set piece.
Bankstown City Lions FC were 6-1 winners against Inter Lions FC in their game at Jensen Park last Sunday afternoon.
This is a big game for Bankstown City Lions FC as they can vault into top spot with three points against the Town Rangers.
Aya Seino comes into this game in superb form and has 38 goals for the League One Women’s thus far.
This game will be streamed live on the Football NSW YouTube page. ‘The Professor’ Melissa Muscat will be behind the microphone for a final exam for these two teams.
South Coast Flame FC vs Camden Tigers FC, Saturday 20 July, 3:30pm, Sir Ian McLennan Park
South Coast Flame FC kick off the weekend against Camden Tigers FC at Sir Ian McLennan Park on Saturday afternoon.
The Flame burnt brightly late in the game to earn a 2-2 draw against Central Coast Mariners FC last weekend.
Mikayla De Jong has become a super sub for South Coast Flame FC with two late goals earning the side points this season.
Jarrah Fuz has been a solid contributor for South Coast Flame FC since her move in the off-season and is primed for another performance.
Camden Tigers shared the points in a 1-1 draw against Marconi Stallions FC at Ron Dine Reserve last weekend.
Indiana Hernandez opened the scoring for the Tigers in the draw and look to add her tally on Sunday afternoon.
The Tigers hope to use the momentum from that draw to push them forward and collect three points on the road.
Marconi Stallions FC vs Nepean FC, Sunday 21 July, 3pm, Marconi Stadium #2
Marconi Stallions FC welcome Nepean FC to Marconi Stadium #2 for their game on Sunday afternoon.
The Stallions had a 1-1 draw against Camden Tigers FC in their game at Ron Dine Reserve last weekend.
Tania Baban scored her fifth goal of the season in the result and she will lead the line strongly again for Marconi Stallions FC.
Marconi Stallions have been the draw masters of the League One Women’s competition with five thus far showing they are a tough nut to crack.
Nepean FC had their second win of the season after their 1-0 success over South East Phoenix FC.
Amelia Giardina has been a constant for Nepean FC in the middle of the field and will push them forward on Sunday.
The visitors were beaten 3-2 in a thriller last time against the Stallions and hope to get some revenge in this contest.
Inter Lions FC vs SD Raiders FC, Sunday 21 July, 3pm, Majors Bay Reserve
Inter Lions FC take on finals chasing SD Raiders FC down at Majors Bay Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
The Lions were beaten 6-1 by a rampant Bankstown City Lions FC side at Jensen Park last weekend.
Isabel McBride scored a consolation goal for Inter Lions FC in the game and she will be keen to find the back of the net again.
They were beaten 4-2 in their Round 8 encounter against SD Raiders FC and look to put in a better performance at home.
SD Raiders FC pulled off a stunning comeback in their 3-2 win over leaders Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC.
Sarah Mandile has scored in back-to-back games for SD Raiders FC and has given them another attacking option.
The visitors are equal first on the League One Women’s ladder and look set for a return to finals football in six weeks.
South East Phoenix FC vs St George FC, Sunday 21 July, 3:15pm, South Nowra Football Complex
South East Phoenix FC face off against St George FC at South Nowra Football Complex on Sunday afternoon.
The Phoenix had a close 1-0 loss to Nepean FC in their game at South Nowra Football Complex last weekend.
Charlie Cramp made her return to the starting side in Round 20 and she will be keen to put in another good performance.
They were blown away in the first half back in Round 8 against St George FC and will be hoping to have a faster start on Sunday.
St George FC struck late to earn a 1-1 draw against Hills United FC in the Match of the Round last weekend.
Genevieve Russo gave the Saints a spark off the bench and will look to provide a similar impact again this weekend.
Captain and defender Nicole Besz has marshalled the St George FC defence to a top five defence in the League One Women’s competition.
Sutherland Strikers FC vs Central Coast Mariners FC, Sunday 21 July, 3:30pm, Harrie Denning Centre
Sutherland Strikers FC host Central Coast Mariners down at Harrie Denning Centre on Sunday afternoon.
The Strikers kept up their winning ways with a 1-0 win against Blacktown City FC at Landen Stadium last weekend.
Lucy Johnson scored the only goal of the win as she provides the scoring touch up front for the Strikers.
The Strikers coaching staff have been pleased with their four-game winning streak and look to keep up their strong second half of the season form.
The Mariners had a two-goal comeback in a 2-2 draw with South Coast Flame FC at Pluim Park last weekend.
Central Coast Mariners FC play one of their two remaining catch up games against Marconi Stallions FC on Wednesday night.
The Mariners sit four points outside the top four and can catapult themselves right into contention with three points this weekend.
Hills United FC vs Blacktown City FC, Sunday 21 July, 3:45pm, Bella Vista Public School
Rounding off the weekend is Hills United FC facing Blacktown City FC at Bella Vista Public School on Sunday afternoon.
Hills United FC were held to a 1-1 draw against St George FC in the Match of the Round last weekend.
It is a big week for Hills United FC who play their Sapphire Cup Quarter Final against Sydney University SFC on Wednesday night.
The hosts will look to their strike duo of Kaylie Shannon and Isabella Sciberras to help them find their rhythm on Sunday afternoon.
Blacktown City FC toiled hard once again before they fell to a 1-0 defeat against Sutherland Strikers FC.
The effort has been there for Blacktown City FC in recent weeks but they hope it might translate to some points soon.
They were beaten 1-0 back in Round 8 by this opposition and Blacktown City FC hope to reverse their fortunes on Sunday.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
