Everyone has been looking forward to Round 22 in the National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s competition, with some key clashes this week with direct ramifications for not just the Premiership but also finals football and the relegation battle.
Match of the Round: APIA Leichhardt v Macarthur Rams
Is there a more fitting way to round off the round than with the match of the round and perhaps the most anticipated match of the season?
From 6:55pm on Sunday night at Lambert Park, league leading APIA Leichhardt will host second placed Macarthur Rams.
APIA perhaps haven’t been their free-flowing self of late but have that much quality within the squad that they can turn it on in a second.
Premiership and Champion teams win when they aren’t at their best, because that’s what they do and even when it is tough, they know how to grind a result.
In defence, Tash Prior has been a true leader, in midfield, Rhianna Pollicina and Estelle Fragalle are the bosses, while it’s difficult to stop Ash Crofts and Holly McNamara in the front third.
Their opponents, the Macarthur Rams, have been on some run, conjuring up 11 straight victories, their last loss you ask? 7th of May, Lynwood Park against APIA Leichhardt.
They have been unstoppable since that defeat and incredibly free-flowing in attack scoring 40 goals over that 11 game stretch.
Most impressively, they’ve shared the goals around, with striker Kelli Brown the most prolific.
The Rams have arguably the best wing backs in the competition through Tegan Bertolissio and Amalia Plummer, the general Alex Huynh in defence, Beth Gordon and Mel Cacerers in midfield and the before mentioned Brown.
It promises to be a spectacular match with two masterful tacticians on the bench also in Spencer Prior and Stephen Peters.
An APIA victory all but assures them the Premiership, status quo and you think APIA has a hand on the trophy, but a Rams win and we are on for the remainder of the campaign.
NWS Spirit v Emerging Jets
At Christie Park on Saturday afternoon, NWS Spirit opens the round against the Emerging Jets.
It was a fine performance from Tiana Gauci’s team on the weekend, bouncing back from defeat the previous week to keep themselves in a comfortable position with finals football around the corner.
Superstar Rola Badawiya was in dazzling form last weekend and despite not being as prolific perhaps as last season, she is in the thick of everything and really driving this Spirit team forward.
After a few close results, the Emerging Jets were well beaten on Sunday by the Macarthur Rams.
Despite the result though, they were subject to a few unfortunate goals that did not help the flow of the game for them.
It was a goal fest the last time they played, 5-3 Spirit coming away with the points.
Football NSW Institute v Northern Tigers
The first game on Sunday kicks off at 2:45pm as the Football NSW Institute hosts the Northern Tigers at Valentine Sports Park.
The last time the Institute played was mid-week last week where they defeated the Blacktown Spartans 2-0 with a comfortable victory.
Lisa Warrener has found it difficult to field the same team consecutively this season but if they are to be full strength, and with Sienna Saveska in the squad, there is no doubt they can do some damage.
A few big results and important victories and the Northern Tigers looked to be gaining momentum at the right time, that was until they took on Bulls FC Academy on Sunday.
After taking the lead, the Tigers collapsed late on to lose 2-1.
With the squad getting back to full strength slowly, Jake Stephenson will need the likes of Isabel Gomez and Claudia Cholakian to step it up.
The points were split last time in a 0-0 stalemate.
Bulls FC Academy v Manly United
At Northbridge Oval on Sunday afternoon, Bulls FC Academy host Manly United.
The Bulls’ season was hanging by a thread last Sunday, they managed to turn the result around with Tamires Souza starring with a late brace to take the points against the Northern Tigers.
They will expect to take the points here and continue their pursuit of finals football but will need to be disciplined against Manly.
United have a number of players that can hurt the Bulls like Kahli Johnson and Daisy Arrowsmith, who are always menaces in the front third.
Finals football has gotten away from them but they would love to inflict the same pain on their opponents with a win here.
It was a 0-0 draw when they clashed earlier in the season at Cromer Park.
Sydney Olympic v Gladesville Ravens
Sydney Olympic host the Gladesville Ravens on Sunday at Peter Moore Field.
It’s been two games without a win but Olympic still somehow hold onto that golden ticket that is fourth spot and finals football.
They need Allira Toby to start firing in this must-win clash because victory more or less ends the Ravens hopes of finals football.
Only two wins for the Ravens in the last two months have put a dent on their finals hopes but nevertheless, they are still there with a chance.
A loss here and they can start planning for a new assault on 2024, a win and they continue their fight for another week.
The Ravens won the first clash between the two 2-1 and would take a similar result again.
Blacktown Spartans v Illawarra Stingrays
There will be so much on the line at Blacktown Football Park on Sunday evening as the Blacktown Spartans host the Illawarra Stingrays.
The Spartans almost recorded one of the shocks of the season last weekend but in the end fell to APIA Leichhardt.
A squad with a number of club juniors has continued to improve every week but they have now lost eight in a row.
The Illawarra Stingrays have made excellent progress in the second half of the season and are just outside the finals places with a game in hand.
Experienced duo Michelle Carney and Caitlin Cooper will be key in this game where they will need to stay disciplined and structured.
With these two clubs sitting at the bottom of the Club Championship standings, a win here for either side will be key in their hopes for survival.
The Stingrays won the first clash 2-0.
Sydney University v Bankstown City Lions
At Sydney Uni Football Ground on Sunday, Sydney University host the Bankstown City Lions.
Uni has found some form at the back end of the season and are looking to finish as high as possible on the ladder.
Their three victories in July were more than they amassed all season up until that point and will look to add as many wins as possible in the time that remains.
Bankstown were left frustrated Sunday against Sydney Olympic and probably thought they just deserved a little more in a tight game.
They can definitely not afford to lose, a point could be ok but a win could see them move into the top four.
Tara Baudana scored a spectacular goal last time these two met to rescue a point for Uni in a 1-1 draw.