The competition ladder is starting to take shape in the National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s competition after seven rounds with things getting even clearer after the next round of action.
The action kicks off on Saturday with two games opening the round, with five games to follow on Sunday.
Bulls FC Academy vs Northern Tigers – Match of the Round
It’s a special day on Saturday at Campbelltown Stadium, with the NPL NSW Women’s match of the round between Bulls FC Academy and the Northern Tigers the curtain raiser to the final round of the Isuzu A-League.
Three games without defeat and the Bulls are up to fourth place on the ladder, a win on the weekend could see them move into the top two.
Jaime Gomez would have taken a point had he been offered it pregame against Bankstown City Lions, but having been two goals up, it may have been two points dropped.
A win here for the Bulls with their incoming A-League stars, could be just enough to start their chase on league leaders APIA Leichhardt.
The Northern Tigers have been consistent and performing well this campaign, currently sitting in second place with a game in hand.
They were arguably the better team on Sunday against NWS Spirit but were unable to secure the three points.
There is enough quality in the front third to make some damage with the league’s most potent attack in town.
NWS Spirit vs Gladesville Ravens
It’s the first ever derby at Christie Park as the NWS Spirit host the Gladesville Ravens on Saturday afternoon.
Spirit has only lost once in their last five games and are looking like they can make a real run at finals football.
Tiana Gauci has her side well structured, tough to break down and dangerous moving forward.
The motor in the midfield is Sarah Morgan, she has made successive team of the week’s and is important to how this team functions.
The Ravens are without doubt the surprise packets of this competition, sitting in fifth place on the ladder currently.
They bounced back after only their second defeat of the season with a commanding 3-0 victory over the Blacktown Spartans.
Confidence is high in the camp, and this could be the opportunity to claim bragging rights at Christie Park.
Sydney Olympic vs Bankstown City
Sunday’s action kick starts with another derby match as Sydney Olympic hosts Bankstown City Lions at Peter Moore Field.
Olympic were well beaten last weekend when they faced APIA Leichhardt at the Festival of Football.
They were met by a tough opponent but the Blues are expecting a few players to join the club in coming weeks which will help strengthen the squad.
George Beltsos has been pleased with the start his team has made to the campaign so far and believes they will get better as the season progresses.
For the umpteenth time this season, Bankstown City managed to come from behind to salvage a point.
It’s a frustrating period for Matt Costantini who has seen his side fall behind in almost every game this season and having to dig deep in the final moments to get something from the match.
Reinforcements are arriving at Jensen Park and some could be ready to deputise this weekend which will be a breath of fresh air for the Lions with only one victory so far this season.
Football NSW Institute vs Illawarra Stingrays
The Football NSW Institute hosts the Illawarra Stingrays at Valentine Sports Park on Sunday.
The Institute registered a massive point against a high-flying Macarthur Rams last week and will most definitely take confidence from that.
They’ve played four games in 12 days , losing only once in that time in a tight 2-1 defeat against league leaders APIA Leichhardt.
Three straight losses for the Stingrays in three straight away matches, this will be their fourth match in a row on the road.
Goal scoring has been a bit of an issue for them but scoring two on the weekend would have helped with their confidence.
Both teams are desperate to register three points in trying to keep up with a finals series spot.
Blacktown Spartans vs APIA Leichhardt
At Blacktown Football Park on Sunday afternoon, league leaders APIA Leichhardt come to town to face the Blacktown Spartans.
Fortunes have somewhat changed for the Spartans over the last couple weeks, despite Sunday’s loss against the Gladesville Ravens.
A win against Sydney University two weeks ago and a midweek draw with the Football NSW Institute (first clean sheet of the season), have given new lease of life to Lauren Phelps’ team.
They’ll come into this clash with nothing to lose and that will make them dangerous.
Spencer Prior will be ecstatic with the way APIA has kicked off this campaign, undefeated in seven starts and sitting atop of the ladder.
Four straight victories, free flowing attacking football and some solid defending has been the key so far.
Reinforcements are arriving and it begs the question, how strong can this team get?
Most importantly though, they are playing good football and players such as Sophie Hoban, Estelle Fragale and Tanya Borazio are blossoming at the moment.
Manly United vs Sydney University
Manly United welcome Sydney University to the Northern Beaches for their clash at Cromer Park on Sunday.
After an excellent start to the season, Manly have somewhat dropped off the pace after with two straight defeats against APIA Leichhardt and Manly United and a 0-0 draw against the Emerging Jets on Sunday.
The generally tight defensive unit has shipped six goals in those two matches and it is something Tom Hopley will need to address.
Sydney University registered only their second win of the season on Sunday with Talia Kapetanelis starring and scoring an eight-minute hat trick.
They’ve scored in every game season with the most potent attack in the competition, but it is defensively where they have struggled, conceding 19, only the Emerging Jets having conceded more.
A must win match for both teams, expect goals in what promises to be a very exciting game.
Macarthur Rams vs Emerging Jets
The Macarthur Rams and the Emerging Jets do battle in the final game on Sunday evening at Lynwood Park.
Along with league leaders APIA Leichhardt and Northern Tigers, the Macarthur Rams are the other in-form team of the competition.
Four games without defeat, tightened defensive screws and the return to the side of Alex Huynh have put them right back in the mix.
They’re expecting a few superstars to join the squad at Lynwood Park over the next few weeks and they will only get stronger.
The Jets recorded their first point of the season along with their first clean sheet of the campaign which was most welcoming having conceded 24 goals in their opening six games.
Brinley Gentle has been their go to so far this season and will no doubt be expected to create again for the Jets.
It will be a tough task for the Jets but last weekend’s result could spearhead them on this difficult away trip.