Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League Round 2 Preview

Hopefully all clubs are fully equipped with rubber dinghies and scuba gear as they may be necessities for survival through our Round 2 matches.
Round 1 brought some interesting results with the three of last year?s four semi finalists tasting success. The 2008 Arrive Alive Women?s Super League Champions, Illawarra Stingrays, made sure that every other club in the premier league knew that they were back in the top rung of competition after a 1-0 win over defending Arrive Alive Premier League Premiers, Macarthur Rams. Can The Stingrays repeat the dose this week against NWS Koalas?
Our first match for review sees Penrith Nepean United hosting Manly United FC. Penrith Nepean went down fighting last weekend against the Marconi Stallions at Marconi Stadium. This was a promising enough start to the year but narrow losses don?t get you points so the girls from the foot of the mountains will be looking to open their account on Sunday when the Manly United girls come surfing into town.
Manly scored a narrow, but convincing win over Sydney University at Cromer Park last week. Manly?s participation in finals football is almost expected nowadays so a record of two from two would certainly get their premiership aspirations off to a flying start.
I believe that Manly United will take the points back to the Northern Beaches after a tight tussle.
The NWS Koalas, fresh from a strong win over Sutherland Sharks last week, meet a confident Illawarra Stingrays side at ELS Hall Park. The Koalas were in fine form last week, producing a result that would have turned the heads of their future opponents. The NWS girls are keen to go one better in 2009 after coming so close last season. They are always hard to beat at home.
Illawarra Stingrays got off to a sparkling start last weekend with a big win over Macarthur Rams. The Stingrays squad has GOALS written all over them; fielding four of last season?s most potent strikers in Heyman, Carney, Connor and Camilleri. The girls from the South Coast are not just about scoring goals though. Their team has the depth to test Koalas to the limit on Sunday.
This game is a tough one to pick so I?ll take the coward?s way out and plump for the draw.
Macarthur Rams first home game of the season sees them welcome the Marconi Stallions to Lynwood Park. ?Welcome? may not exactly be the sentiment though as these two sides took no prisoners in their clashes last season. Scientists will probably note a seismic shift at some stage on Sunday as there?s sure to be an earth shattering tackle or two as the two Arrive Alive Premier League heavyweights try to grab the points.
Macarthur will be smarting after their first round loss to Illawarra. Whilst they will still be missing a couple of their senior squad The Rams still have plenty of talent to call on. Their home record is a very dominant one and they seem to enjoy success against Marconi more than any other side.
The Stallions have started the season on a winning note after getting past Penrith United last weekend. The loss of players like Ash Connor and Trudy Camilleri is hardly likely to shorten their odds for premiership honours but the 2009 Arrive Alive Premier League Club Champions are nothing if not resilient. Leaving Lynwood Park with maximum points would be a big boost to the start of their season.
This will be another close encounter. Macarthur always find another leg at Lynwood Park. I?ll tip that home ground advantage to see them through.
Our final match for review this week is the Sydney University and Sutherland Sharks clash at Hensley Athletic Field, which may be Hensley Olympic Pool by Sunday if this rain doesn?t stop!
Both sides tumbled to losses last weekend. However, University were most competitive against Manly and look as if they could be in for a promising season. If that?s to be the case a match like this is one from which they must take all three points.
My little friends at Sutherland would have been very downcast after taking something of a hiding against NWS Koalas last weekend. A 0-4 loss is not the best way to start your season. It will be a test of the team?s mettle as to how they respond this weekend.
This looks like a Sydney University win to me.
Lets all keep our fingers crossed that the weather doesn?t intervene in our round of football this weekend. There are some very intriguing encounters listed and I, for one, am keen to enjoy some quality football from our Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League stars. Bring your umbrellas, pack the flippers. I?ll see you at a ground on Sunday!
-By Ross Anderson