With Round 20 upon us, things start to get serious in the National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s competition as we approach the final third of the season.
NWS Spirit v Northern Tigers – Christie Park, 3pm Saturday
The Northern Tigers play their second derby in as many weeks as they face off against NWS Spirit on Saturday at Christie Park.
A late Ella Tonkin goal rescued a point for the Tigers against Manly United on Sunday and kept them in the race for finals football.
Three games without a victory and Jake Stephenson’s team cannot afford to drop any further points.
Spirit come into this one off the back of two convincing wins and sitting comfortably in third place on the ladder.
Star recruit Rola Badawiya turned it on when needed on Sunday, scoring a brace and seems to be finding form at the right time in the season.
It was tight between the two last time, settling for a 0-0 draw.
Bulls FC Academy v Bankstown City Lions – Northbridge Oval, 4:30pm Sunday
A six pointer at Northbridge Oval awaits us as Bulls FC Academy host the Bankstown City Lions in the first game on Sunday afternoon.
It was a shocking and disappointing defeat for the Bulls on Sunday against the Illawarra Stingrays and Jaime Gomez will expect an immediate response.
Despite fielding a fairly strong team led by Bryleeh Henry, the Bulls shot blanks and won’t be able to do the same again if they want to secure a top four spot.
Also with a disappointing defeat was Matt Costantini’s Bankstown City Lions, who were resoundingly defeated by NWS Spirit FC.
Despite being well in the game, in the end the Lions were far from victory and much like their rivals will be expected to respond.
A victory for the Lions puts them right back in the top four race, a win for the Bulls and they will make it very difficult for Bankstown to make the finals.
Match of the Round: Sydney Olympic v APIA Leichhardt – Belmore Sports Ground, 4:40pm Sunday
Another derby in round 20 takes us to Belmore Sports Ground on Sunday as Sydney Olympic host APIA Leichhardt.
Three straight victories for Olympic has them in fourth place on the ladder and leading a chasing pack of four or five teams for that last finals spot.
They perhaps underestimated the Emerging Jets and had to come from behind to take all three points as Charlotte Mclean and Taylor Ray scored their late goals.
It was not easy for the league leaders, but they showed steel to keep plugging away and coming away with the spoils against a plucky Football NSW Institute.
Tash Prior stepped up from the back and continued her fine form this season, scoring her first of the campaign.
APIA were dominant last time they played, winning 3-1.
Blacktown Spartans v Gladesville Ravens – Blacktown Football Park, 5pm Sunday
At Blacktown Football Park the Blacktown Spartans host the Gladesville Ravens on Sunday evening.
Four straight defeats for the Blacktown Spartans and 15 goals conceded does not bode well for them, in particular in a relegation battle.
They have lost Carleigh Frilles, who has joined the Philippine National Team for the World Cup and she will be a major loss.
Only one win through June and July has seen the Ravens begin to drift away from a finals place and that form will need to turn if they are to get back into contention.
Siobhan Edwards was the Ravens most dangerous player last weekend and will no doubt play an important role in any attacking sequence.
The Ravens won the first clash between the two with Keiko Tanaka a standout in that one.
Manly United v Emerging Jets – Cromer Park, 5pm Sunday
The Emerging Jets travel south to Cromer Park on Sunday to take on Manly United.
The tide has turned for Manly United in recent weeks with only one defeat in their last five starts.
Daisy Arrowsmith has found her feet well since transferring mid-season to Cromer Park, scoring again on the weekend.
Not for the first time this season, the Jets thought they were on their way to their first victory of the campaign on Sunday, only to collapse late on against Sydney Olympic.
Goal scoring machine Brinley Gentle will be one to watch, finding the back of the net again over the weekend.
The Jets held on for a draw when the two met last time, 0-0 the score.
Macarthur Rams v Football NSW Institute – Lynwood Park, 5pm Sunday
At Lynwood Park on Sunday evening, the Macarthur Rams host the Football NSW Institute.
Nine wins on the bounce and the Macarthur Rams are looking unstoppable at the moment, easily dispatching the Gladesville Ravens on Sunday.
They’ll look to equal APIA Leichhardt’s and Sydney University’s record of 10 straight wins this weekend against a very dangerous Football NSW Institute team.
The Institute made it tough for APIA and will do the same here but they are coming up against the most in-form team in the competition.
It was a gutsy performance from the Institute against the league leaders last week but they fell to a late goal from a set piece.
A tough season for Lisa Warrener who has had a plethora of selection issues but if able to select a strong team, they will put up a real fight at Lynwood Park.
Back in round seven the Institute held the Rams and they’ll be hoping to do the same now.
Match Postponed: Illawarra Stingrays v Sydney University