Round 6 Preview – NPL 2 NSW Women’s

Mark it down.

We have hit the halfway point of the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens competition and the race for the finals continues to hot up.

Five fantastic football fixtures will light up the fields on Sunday so let’s get onto the preview.

Southern Branch FC vs St George FC, Sunday 23 August, 1:05pm, South Nowra Football Complex

We kick off the weekend with a battle between Southern Branch FC and St George FC down at South Nowra Football Compex on Sunday afternoon.

Both sides come off losses in their games last weekend. St George FC were on the wrong side of a 1-nil loss to SD Raiders FC whilst Southern Branch FC felt the wrath of North Shore Mariners, 8-nil.

After their positive start to the shortened season, St George FC have stagnated with back-to-back losses in the last two clashes. They will lean on their experienced players including Amy Bennett and Charlotte Kensitt to get back on the front foot.

Southern Branch will enjoy the chance to face a side around them on the table. The home side showed in their 2-2 draw against Gladesville, that they can match it against the top five or six teams in the competition and can pull off a surprise Sunday afternoon.

Nepean FC vs Inter Lions, Sunday 23 August, 3pm, Cook Park

Sunday afternoon offers the chance for Nepean FC to continue their positive run when they take on rock bottom Inter Lions at Cook Park.

Nepean FC got themselves off the mark with a 1-nil result against St George FC back in Round 4 whilst Inter Lions were gallant but defeated from a second half salvo from Gladesville Ravens in their contest last Sunday night.

Leading such a young side can be a challenge but new captain Stefanie Trovato has taken to it like a duck to water. She led from the front against St George and it propelled them to a victory. If they can repeat the dose against Inter their upward momentum will continue.

SD Raiders FC vs Gladesville Ravens, Sunday 23 August, 3pm, Ernie Smith Reserve

Back at Ernie Smith Reserve, the ninth place SD Raiders FC welcome Champions and seventh place Gladesville Ravens for an important clash on Sunday afternoon.

This game is shaping up to be a vital one for both sides after their positive results last weekend. SD Raiders FC triumphed 1-nil against St George. Gladesville Ravens left it late but overcame Inter Lions 2-nil in the late game.

Victory must’ve felt like sweet relief for the Ravens side. They had been battered from pillar to post with injuries and results but got themselves off the duck egg. Winger Kasia Wojtowicz helped break their scoring drought with her brace and aim to look to soar higher Sunday afternoon.

The pieces are slowly coming together for SD Raiders FC. The effort has been there in all their games this season, and now the result followed. Striker Sarah Mandile has been consistent but custodian Natasha Pentecost continues to produce stellar saves each week between the sticks and can help fire SD Raiders FC to back-to-back wins.

Marconi Stallions vs Sutherland Shire FA, Sunday 23 August, 3pm, Marconi Stadium

Equal first takes on fourth as Marconi Stallions head back to the palace – Marconi Stadium to tangle with fellow contender Sutherland Shire FA Sunday afternoon.

This could be used as a marker for both sides headed into the second half of the season, after their recent positive results. Sutherland Shire FA featured in the Match of the Round, 2-1, against Central Coast. Marconi were involved in a 2-2 draw against UNSW FC down at Seymour Shaw.

The Stallions have a busy week ahead. It started with their mid-week scoreless draw with Nepean FC and now a top four battle back on their home turf. Andy Severin’s side had to dig deep for their results recently and Sunday will be another tough one against Sutherland Shire FA. Marconi do have the services of sharpshooter in Ceyda Cambaz up front who is a prolific goalscorer.

Sutherland Shire FA sit undefeated after five weeks alongside North Shore Mariners. Now after they vanquished Central Coast Mariners, the leaders take on another contender in Marconi. Their attacking duo of Jordan Baker and Maddison Farmer lead from the front and makes for a mouth-watering contest against the Stallions attack.

Central Coast Mariners vs North Shore Mariners, Sunday 23 August, 3pm, Pluim Park

Central Coast Mariners head back to Pluim Park to face the monumental task of trying to take points off frontrunners North Shore Mariners on Sunday afternoon.

It was a stroll through the beachside for North Shore Mariners who rolled Southern Branch FC 8-nil in their trip to Nowra. Central Coast Mariners fought hard to equalise before a late Jordan Baker goal condemned them to a 2-1 defeat against Sutherland Shire FA.

For the visiting North Shore Mariners, Pluim Park marks the start of their tough stretch to end the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens regular season. To fuel them, North Shore has the twin talents of Hannah Charak and Evelyn Chronis upfront who have chased goals like they’re crowns in Fall Guys. Both are in prime form and ready to terrorise another defense.

Last week was an improvement for Dan Barrett but the coach will want his side to consolidate their spot in the top four and be the first to lower the North Shore colours. Their second half performance had everything but a goal so they will need to find the back of the net to trouble the undefeated North Shore.

UNSW FC have the bye

By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)