NPL 2 NSW Women’s 2020 Grand Final Preview
We’re set for a mouth-watering decider to close out the National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Women’s season.
Premiers North Shore Mariners take on fellow undefeated side Marconi Stallions at Valentine Sports Park on Sunday afternoon.
Added to the anticipation for Sunday’s game is the previous encounter between the two sides. North Shore Mariners strode out to a 2-nil lead before Marconi Stallions pegged them back to 2-2 in a wild afternoon at Marconi Stadium.
North Shore Mariners have made a statement in their first season in NPL2 Womens. Their richly deserved form helped them to be crowned Premiers with eight wins and the aforementioned draw. A comfortable 4-1 result against rivals Central Coast put them into the Grand Final.
For Marconi Stallions, it has been anything but a smooth gallop this season. There was a rough trot where the Stallions seemed to be magnets to draws but their late form including their tense 1-nil success against Sutherland Shire FA gets them into the final.
After a tough 2019, North Shore Mariners took to the NPL2 Womens competition like a duck to water and quickly set to piling up the victories. The Mariners won the Premiership and scored the most goals in the league in 2020.
Central to that is their striker duo – Evelyn Chronis and Rita Boateng – Chronis won the Golden Boot with 20 goals and Boateng has dazzled defenders in her first season which included a first half hat-trick against Central Coast Mariners.
There is a quality engine room behind the duo, which helps to power the North Shore Mariners machine. Both Rochelle Johnson and Siahn Bozanic pull the strings. Bozanic produced a sublime assist in the semi-finals and is primed for a big performance.
Looking across the pitch, the Stallions boast a squad ready to take on the challenge of the Premiers. Undefeated themselves, the historic club has found their groove in NPL2 after a few seasons which failed to meet their expectations.
The heartbeat of their side comes through in two players – striker Tania Baban and winger Danielle Bishop – then there is guile of Lauren Featherstone, Samantha Huynh and both Voloder sisters which has the Stallions firing into the final straight of the season.
One major success for Marconi Stallions has been popular shotstopper Renee Krstanovska. The former Bankstown City Lions keeper produced some terrific saves to get the Stallions into the Grand Final much like the rest of the season.
Experienced custodian Trudy Bruke is between the sticks for North Shore Mariners and has helped the Mariners to a league-best only six goals conceded. So it could come down to which keeper can produce a highlight reel save.
So sit back, relax and get set for a wonderful Grand Final to end a fantastic season of National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Womens action.
Don’t forget to also check out the Reserve Grade decider beforehand at 11:30am.
North Shore Mariners vs Marconi Stallions, Sunday 10 October, 2pm, Valentine Sports Park #1
IMPORTANT: We will share information later in the week regarding spectators and the COVID-19 plan at the venue.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
Click here to view the 2020 NPL 2 NSW Women’s Grand Final Program
BOTH MATCHES TO BE LIVE STREAMED ONLY ON NPL.TV
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