The National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s competition is really heating up, with five teams separated by three points fighting for a finals place.
Sydney University v Manly United
The first match of round 21 kicks off at 2pm at Sydney University Football Ground as Sydney University hosts Manly United.
Uni will come into this one after a tough away clash mid-week against the Illawarra Stingrays down the South Coast.
Results have turned somewhat for Emily Husband’s team and it has coincided with the return of Taren King.
Only one defeat for Manly United since their 5-1 thumping against Macarthur Rams on June 11 but they may have left it a little late.
Daisy Arrowsmith now has Kahli Johnson finding the back of the alongside her, relieving some of the pressure and the two will be expected to get the goals in this one.
The points were shared in a 1-1 draw last time out.
Match of the Round: Gladesville Ravens v NWS Spirit
It’s derby day at Christie Park on Sunday as the Gladesville Ravens host NWS Spirit, with much on the line for both teams aside from local bragging rights.
The Ravens rescued a dramatic late victory on Sunday that kept them right in the top four mix with Siobhan Edwards finding a stoppage time winner.
At this point in the campaign, any dropped points could spell the end of their finals hopes and the Ravens will be very well aware of that.
Two wins and two losses in their last four games have all but ended Spirit’s hopes of a late Premiership push.
They suffered a shock 3-0 defeat at home on Sunday and will need to respond in order to keep the distance with those chasing to get into the top four.
When they met back in April, the points were split in a 1-1 draw.
Bankstown City Lions v Sydney Olympic
At Jensen Park on Sunday evening, the Bankstown City Lions host Sydney Olympic.
After two consecutive losses, Matt Costantini’s team had to react and they did just that against the Bulls FC Academy, recording a 2-1 win and moving into fifth place.
Despite suffering so many personnel issues, the Lions have responded with Susan Phonsongkham continuing to display her importance to this team.
If they can win here as their reinforcements return over the coming weeks, Bankstown could be real dark horse in the final weeks.
Olympic have not been at their best over the last three weeks, losing two of three games and allowing the chasing back to close the gap.
Like their opponents, Olympic have also been down in troops and need the likes of Allira Toby and Tegan Collister to help push through this period.
George Beltsos knows that a win here will all but push Bankstown out of the finals race or at least put a massive dent in their hopes.
Olympic took the points last time they met with a late Angelique Hristodoulou winner in a 2-1 scoreline.
Emerging Jets v Macarthur Rams
At Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility the Emerging Jets host the red hot Macarthur Rams.
The Jets have been so unlucky in the last couple weeks, they’ve led twice and collapsed late on to fall to defeat.
There are definite positives to take from those two games and if they are able to lay a glove on the Rams, it could be one of the surprises of the season.
An incredible run by Stephen Peters’ team has seen them notch up a record-equalling 10 straight victories.
There is a special feeling going on at Lynwood Park at the moment, the team looks unstoppable and the Premiership is on their minds, there is no doubt they’ll have one eye on next weekend’s clash against APIA Leichhardt.
That could be the opportunity the Jets take, but knowing Stephen Peters, he’ll have his team fully focused.
It was a convincing 6-0 win for the Rams last time they played.
Northern Tigers v Bulls FC Academy
At North Turramurra Recreation Area the Northern Tigers take on the Bulls FC Academy in another of those games with potential major implications on the Top Four.
Jake Stephenson’s team pulled out a big performance at a very important time in the season, defeating third-placed NWS Spirit 3-0.
With a mid-week game coming up against the Emerging Jets (Wednesday evening), the Tigers may find themselves in the top four on Sunday night if they win both games.
They were decimated by injuries and unavailability in recent weeks, but it seems players are slowly returning to the squad at the perfect time.
Inconsistency has cost the Bulls much this season and their form has continued that way, going down in their last two games.
A loss here for the Bulls could be the end of their finals hopes, or at least make it a mammoth task to make the Four.
The Bulls won the first clash between the two, winning 3-1.
APIA Leichhardt v Blacktown Spartans
At Lambert Park on Sunday night in the final game of the round, APIA Leichhardt host the Blacktown Spartans.
Four straight wins for Spencer Prior’s team has them back on track after a small mid-season slip up where they went three games without a win.
They will be expecting to record all three points here and turn their attention straight to the big clash with the Macarthur Rams that is up coming.
Seven straight losses for Milan Jovanovic and the Spartans has them fighting desperately to break the duck.
A large number of injuries have hurt the Spartans with some youngsters getting their opportunity to show their quality.
APIA came away with a tight 2-1 victory the last time they met.
Postponed Fixture: Illawarra Stingrays v Football NSW Institute