Round 20 Preview – League One Women’s
Round 20 in the Football NSW League One Women’s competition showcases a big weekend in the season as the campaign heads into its final two months. There are six games scheduled for another Super Sunday, headlined by the Match of the Round between Blacktown City FC and Newcastle Jets FC.
Let’s get into the preview!
Match of the Round: Blacktown City FC vs Newcastle Jets FC
Sunday 12 July, 5pm, Landen Stadium
Blacktown City FC face off against Newcastle Jets FC at Landen Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts come off a huge 2-1 win over finals-chasing Marconi Stallions FC in their travels to Marconi Stadium.
Layla Hamdan got them kick-started with her goal and hustles every week for Blacktown City FC on the flank.
Coach Nick Verdos was delighted with the win and hopes this can be a springboard to another big scalp on Sunday.
Newcastle Jets FC were grounded in their 3-0 loss to Inter Lions FC on their home turf in the Hunter.
They will look for a big bounce back heading down to Seven Hills, which will be led by Layla Sharpe up front.
The Jets have dropped out of the top four, so three points are important if they are to jump back into contention.
This game will be streamed LIVE on the Football NSW YouTube channel with Daniel Gulaterio behind the microphone.
SD Raiders FC vs Nepean FC
Sunday 12 July, 3pm, Ernie Smith Reserve
SD Raiders FC take on Nepean FC in their vital clash at Ernie Smith Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts were in clinical form with a 5-2 win against Camden Tigers FC at Ron Dine Reserve last weekend.
Aoife Horgan scored twice in the dominant win and has given SD Raiders FC one of the fiercest front threes in the competition.
Nepean FC played out a 1-1 draw against Central Coast Mariners FC in last week’s Match of the Round.
Kellie Wilding gave them the lead with an olímpico and underlined her importance to this Nepean FC side.
Alongside her, both Alyse McCutcheon and Aaliyah Wawi made inroads down the flank and will be key to helping Nepean FC back into the top-four race.
St George FC vs Blacktown Spartans FC
Sunday 12 July, 4:30pm, Barton Park
St George FC face off against Blacktown Spartans FC in their contest at Barton Park on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts head into a big clash refreshed after having the weekend off due to the bye in Round 19.
Jordan Baker leads the line for St George FC and she will be keen to find the back of the net to add to her burgeoning tally.
Despite their loss to SD Raiders FC, St George FC will take heart from their second-half performance, which had the leaders on the back foot.
Blacktown Spartans FC won 2-0 against Bankstown City Lions FC at Blacktown Football Park last Sunday.
Melina Visser scored the opener and the winger’s combination alongside Sheiden Jabour is a key feature of this Spartans side.
Blacktown Spartans FC have gone six games unbeaten and moved into fourth spot on the League One Women’s ladder, so will be hoping to make it seven on Sunday.
Central Coast Mariners FC vs Bankstown City Lions FC
Sunday 12 July, 5pm, Pluim Park
Central Coast Mariners FC take on Bankstown City Lions FC at Pluim Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Mariners drew 1-1 with Nepean FC in a pulsating Match of the Round at Pluim Park last weekend.
Isabella Beresford was their goalscorer in the draw and will be ready to find the back of the net again on Sunday.
This game is part of a glut of games at Pluim Park for the Mariners, which can help them move off the bottom of the ladder.
Bankstown City Lions FC were beaten 2-0 by Blacktown Spartans FC in their travels to Rooty Hill last Sunday.
Captain Stephanie Ambrose leads by example for the Lions and, if any set pieces come up, she will be ready to find the net.
The Lions won a nine-goal thriller the last time these two met, so Sunday is shaping up to be another big game, with Bankstown hoping for a similar result.
Camden Tigers FC vs Sutherland Strikers FC
Sunday 12 July, 5pm, Ron Dine Reserve
Camden Tigers FC welcome Sutherland Strikers FC to Ron Dine Reserve for their game on Sunday evening.
The Tigers lost 5-2 in their rivalry game against SD Raiders FC at Ron Dine Reserve last Sunday.
One bright spot for the Tigers was Charlotte Greaney scoring her second goal of the season, which will give her confidence going forward.
Their other scorer, Eliza Pereira, rounded off the scoring in the loss but added another goal to what has been a solid season for the youngster.
Sutherland Strikers FC drew 1-1 against South Coast Flame FC at Harrie Dening Centre last weekend.
That result is a big blow for the Strikers, who were keen to make a late charge for the top four over the final six weeks.
Paola Andrea Giraldo Uribe put them ahead with her fifth of the season and the attacker will look to double her tally on Sunday.
Inter Lions FC vs Marconi Stallions FC
Sunday 12 July, 5pm, Majors Bay Reserve
Inter Lions FC take on Marconi Stallions FC in their clash at Majors Bay Reserve on Sunday evening.
The Lions enjoyed a big 3-0 win in their travels to face Newcastle Jets FC in the Hunter last weekend.
Alyssa Walsh lit up the game again with two goals and her introduction into the side has helped Inter Lions FC move up the ladder.
The clean sheet will please coach John Di Biase and is a good reward for how important Ana Ivanovic has been between the sticks.
Marconi Stallions FC were stung 2-1 by Blacktown City FC in their clash at Marconi Stadium last Sunday.
The Stallions showed huge fighting spirit in the loss, including Pene Bonovas drilling home a penalty in the 90th minute before they succumbed late.
Captain Daniele Brekic will miss this trip due to her second-half red card, which is a big blow for the Stallions’ defence.
South Coast Flame FC has the bye.
By Justin Davies.
