It’s a big weekend away from home for both academy sides as the women head into last season’s semi-final replay against APIA Leichhardt while the men do battle with a familiar foe in Mounties Wanderers FC.
APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC Women vs. Central Coast Mariners Academy Women
It’s a replay of last year’s NPL 2 semi-final with the academy girls going head-to-head with Club Championship leaders APIA Leichhardt.
Dan Barrett’s women come into the fixture full of confidence after a crucial 5-3 victory over Southern Branch last week. The girls rediscovered their scoring form, with Gabrielle Blanch and Danielle Wise both bagging doubles. Our Academy side boast bragging rights heading into this fixture, thanks to their positive result last season against the Tigers and will be eager to continue their momentum.
It will be a difficult game for the Mariners, with APIA have scoring 17 goals in their last three games. APIA have only lost once this season and have only conceded seven goals in eight games. The defence for the academy girls will have to be on their game with Ashleigh Palombi leading the NPL 2 goalscoring charts with 10 for the season.
The academy women sit 8th on the NPL 2 ladder and a victory away from home could put them within two points of this weekend’s opponents.
Match Details
Sunday, 5 May 2019
NSW NPL 2 Round 9
Match: APIA Leichardt Tigers FC vs. Central Coast Mariners Academy Women
Venue: Lambert Park, Leichardt
Kick Off: 7:00pm
Mounties Wanderers FC vs. Central Coast Mariners Academy Men
Two sides who sit very close on the NPL 2 ladder, the men’s academy will be wanting to get back into the winner’s circle after last week’s disappointing narrow defeat.
The 1-0 loss to Hills United left the men tied on points with two other teams as they battle it out for a place in the top six. Ray Junna will be eager to rectify the team’s away form as the men have only won once on the road all season. The squad will likely be strengthened with the addition of Lewis Miller who returns from suspension and goal scorer Dylan Ruiz-Diaz who will add threat in the men’s final third.
Mounties Wanderers have also experienced a season of mixed results and sit above the men in 5th place. Wanderers will have a lot of confidence after securing two wins and two clean sheets in a row. The big threat for Mounties is up front with Sean Rooney and Matthew West.
A win for the academy boys may see them jump back into the top six and trade places with Mounties for a second week running.
Match Details
Saturday, 4 May 2019
NSW NPL 2 Round 10
Match: Mounties Wanderers FC vs. Central Coast Mariners Academy
Venue: Sydney United Sports Centre, Edensor Park
Kick Off: 7:00pm
