Round 1 Preview – League One Women’s
The Football NSW League One Women’s competition gears up for another exciting instalment to play out across 26 rounds in 2026. Round 1 offers up plenty of interesting games and mouth-watering matchups to kick us off. The weekend is headlined by the Match of the Round between Blacktown Spartans FC and Inter Lions FC.
Let’s get onto the preview!
Match of the Round: Blacktown Spartans FC vs Inter Lions FC, Sunday 1 March, 5pm, Blacktown Football Park
Kicking us off is Blacktown Spartans FC hosting Inter Lions FC in their game at Blacktown Football Park on Sunday evening.
The Spartans have a rejuvenated squad and they will be wanting to make a statement in Round 1 on their home ground.
Gemma Woolley has the knack for scoring goals and alongside livewire Rita Boateng will give the defence headaches.
Experienced campaigner Deanna Carrona will be solid at the back as she tries to open the season with a clean sheet.
Inter Lions FC will be roaring into the 2026 season as they look to build on a solid season last year.
Hannah Charak saved her best for the FNSW cameras last season scoring a hat-trick against this opposition last season, so she will be ready to go.
Dependable Zoe Katsionis will pull the strings in midfield and push Inter Lions FC forward towards three points.
This game will be streamed LIVE on the Football NSW YouTube channel with Marc De Paoli behind the microphone for this clash.
SD Raiders FC vs Blacktown City FC, Sunday 1 March, 3pm, Cirillo Reserve
SD Raiders FC will open up the season with their clash at Cirillo Reserve against Blacktown City FC on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts fell one step short of glory in 2025 and they will be chomping at the bit to set the record straight.
Bringing in Republic of Ireland youth international Aoife Horgan is a stamp of intent and gives them another bow to their attacking arsenal alongside established talents Taiana Almeida and Abigial Boag.
Behind them, Natasha Pentecost is one of the top keepers in League One Women’s and will be hard to score on again.
Blacktown City FC endured a rough year and they will be keen to start the 2026 season on the right foot.
Coach Nick Verdos has a young squad at his disposal including Layla Hamdan who shone late last season be ready to get a full season in this year.
The signing of the versatile sisters, Kyah and Kahtia Bedano, brings in two players who are consistent performers each week.
St George FC vs Newcastle Jets FC, Sunday 1 March, 4:30pm, Barton Park
St George FC welcome new girls Newcastle Jets FC to Barton Park for their game on Sunday afternoon.
The Saints march into the League One Womens season ready to get back to their position as one of the contenders in this league.
Draws were their undoing in 2025, so they will be aiming for three points starting with this clash and bringing back Kyla Vanderlaan is a huge pick up.
Jordan Baker was the Golden Boot last season and the prolific scorer is always on hand to score a stunning goal for St George FC.
Newcastle Jets will be looking for lift off to get that positive feeling going and make their stay a short one in League One Women’s.
There is plenty of talent which head coach Greg Hartge will be able to utilise and build them up for chances at the A League set up.
Names which should appear often in the scoring charts and team sheet are Layla Sharpe, Makayla Clifton, Lacey Dobson and Hope Cleur.
Sutherland Strikers FC vs Central Coast Mariners FC, Sunday 1 March, 5pm, Harrie Denning Centre
Sutherland Strikers FC take on Central Coast Mariners FC in their contest at Harrie Denning Centre on Sunday night.
The Strikers were slow starters last season so they will be aiming to start this season with a bang and earning three points.
Coach Guillermo Rubio has plenty of experience in the League One Women’s competition which should help them start fast.
Having Alliyah Yamaguchi and Matilda McParland don the shirt again is exciting while bringing in names like Jasmine Maguire and Lili Rosdanic make for a positive outlook.
Central Coast Mariners FC start the season away from home but look to have another successful tilt at the title.
New head coach Cas Wright has plenty of talent in her squad headlined by Peyton Scollay who starred for them in 2025.
They will have some important talent coming back into their team from the A League Women’s squad which will just boost them further to remain a top contender.
Marconi Stallions FC vs South Coast Flame FC, Sunday 1 March, 5pm, Marconi Stadium Field 2
Marconi Stallions FC do battle with South Coast Flame FC down at Marconi Stadium #2 on Sunday evening.
The Stallions were a tough side to break down last season and that will be vital to their DNA again moving forward.
They have also added some grunt with Jasmyn Windsor and Kaitlin Kiparizov to get them over the hump this year.
Coach Michael Beauchamp will want the team to make Marconi Stadium a hard stadium to get any points from again.
South Coast Flame FC were gutted to miss out on finals football last year and starting their season off with points against Marconi is a good way to set themselves up.
The Flame have replenished their stocks again bringing in Shay Meehan and Olivia Cornall to help them towards their goals.
If they get any set pieces, Alexis Malizis can find the back of the net while Cristina Barraza and Emily Kostovski will be key going forward.
Nepean FC vs Bankstown City Lions FC, Sunday 1 March, 7pm, Jamison Park Field 7
Rounding out the weekend is Nepean FC facing Bankstown City Lions FC at Jamison Park on Sunday evening.
Nepean FC will want to make their home grounds a fortress once again with some key players bolstering the squad.
Someone who remains in the side after a solid season last year, keeper Jasmine Crouch pulled off some spectacular saves across the 26 rounds.
Further upfield, Tiana Barton and Ashley Irwin bring plenty of knowledge to the side and be a valuable asset for the younger players.
Bankstown City Lions FC are upbeat heading into the season as they look to challenge for a top half finish in 2026.
The return of Zahli Dean helps to firm up the defence alongside Angelique Lynch who can play anywhere on the park.
Another new face is former Marconi midfield Ashley Limnios who is a player who might not take the headlines but is always in the right spot.
Camden Tigers FC have the bye
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
