NPL Women’s NNSW Round 19 Preview: Warners Bay look to maintain title charge against Azzurri
MATCH OF THE ROUND
CHARLESTOWN AZZURRI V WARNERS BAY FC
LISLE CARR OVAL, Sunday 3.40PM
Warners Bay coach Craig Atkins says his side will be treating every game like a finals match, staring with their clash with Charlestown Azzurri on Sunday.
The Panthers arrive at Lisle Carr Oval three points clear of premiership rivals Broadmeadow Magic, who they thrashed 5-0 in their last outing.
Warners Bay are on an eight-game unbeaten streak and beat third-placed Charlestown 10-1 when they met at John Street Oval in round 12.
Atkins said he knew how crucial securing three points would be in the chase to secure the premiership.
“Azzurri are currently sitting nicely in the in the top four there so they're going to be a tough opposition and obviously be there around finals time as well,” Atkins said.
“It is a downhill run at the finals now, so we want to be treating every game like a finals game.
“I've got full belief in the players that we have in our squad. The girls prepare really well so I'm confident that we can get the job done again.”
Charlestown will head into the match eager to break away from Newcastle Olympic who sit two points behind Niko Papaspiropoulos’s team.
After securing a 4-1 win over Adamstown Rosebud and backing up the decisive victory with a hard-fought 2-1 win against Maitland, Papaspiropoulos is expecting the tie against the league leaders to be a tough affair.
“We are under no illusion that we are coming up against Warners Bay who are top of the table and they're a very quality side,” Papaspiropoulos said.
“So we are preparing obviously for another tough game. We have played them a few times, now we know what to expect.
“We need to make sure we put our best foot forward from the start of the game and give ourselves the best chance of getting a result.”
Leaders Warners Bay will be without Tara Pender due to a hamstring issue.
BROADMEADOW MAGIC V NEW LAMBTON FC
MAGIC PARK, Saturday 3.40PM
Broadmeadow Magic must win on Saturday to keep in touch with Warners Bay, with an unlikely slip up sure to be fatal to their premiership hopes.
Magic are coming off a 5-0 loss to Warners Bay in a match that all but decided the premiership race. Broadmeadow are second on 43 points after 18 games, three points behind top of the table Warners Bay with only three matches remaining.
But Magic coach Jake Curley knows it will be an uphill battle for his side to attempt to secure the NPLW NNSW premiership from the jaws of the Panthers.
“I don’t think we will be able to catch up to Warners Bay now with three games to play because of the goal difference,” Curley said.
“We will be looking to give some younger players minutes with a few first graders out but we are lucky to have good depth within our reserve grade side.
“It was a 15-0-win last time out so I will be looking for a similar performance from the girls.”
Magic’s last victory came against Maitland where a late goal from Rhali Dobson secured all three points for Broadmeadow.
New Lambton are still searching for their first win of the season and were defeated 7-1 by Adamstown Rosebud in their last outing.
The last match between Magic and the Eagles resulted in Broadmeadow picking up a 15-0 win in round 12, with Dobson scoring an incredible eight goals.
NEWCASTLE OLYMPIC V MID COAST FC
DARLING ST OVAL, Saturday 4.40PM
Newcastle Olympic could move closer to securing a place inside the top four when they host Mid Coast FC at Darling St Oval on Saturday.
Despite suffering back-to-back losses, Olympic are fourth on 30 points and have a game in hand on Maitland.
Coming up against seventh-placed Mid Coast FC, Olympic coach Paul Devitis knows that three points will be extremely important for his side in the hunt for the finals.
“I think it's going to be a challenging game. Both times we've played Mid Coast we have done really well,” Devitis said.
“It’s been eight weeks since playing them. Some of the personnel that were missing back then they might have for this game, so I think it will be a bit different.
“They're going to probably come in with the confidence of that game against Maitland. From previous experiences they're quite physical and don’t mind getting their body in there.”
Goals from Jemma House, Sophie O'Brien and Keea Parrish secured the points for Olympic as they ran out 4-0 winners when the sides met in round 12.
Olympic though will be without Alesha Clifford and Chloe Hinde this weekend.
MAITLAND FC V ADAMSTOWN ROSEBUD JFC
COOKS SQUARE PARK, Saturday 3.40PM
Maitland will be desperate for a win when they take on Adamstown Rosebud JFC at Cooks Square Park on Saturday.
A win to David Walker’s side would see them keep in touch with Newcastle Olympic with only three games to play in their regular season.
Maitland are fifth having played a game more than fourth-placed Olympic and third-placed Charlestown Azzurri. The Magpies are two points behind Olympic and four points behind Azzurri, meaning they can not afford any more slip ups on the run in.
“We're trying to make sure we take the points from each game to keep ourselves in the hunt,” Walker said.
“Adamstown are an intense and energetic side to play against so we certainly need to make sure we're prepared.
“We need to move the ball quick and I think that is the best chance for us to take the points.”
A loss to Rosebud would all but end the Magpies’ chances of making the top four.
A brace from Chelsea Greguric helped the Magpies to a 6-2 victory over Adamstown Rosebud JFC in round 12, while Maitland won an incredible round five fixture 7-5 thanks to doubles from Greguric, Mercedes McNabb and Bronte Peel.