2020 NPLW Round 2 Preview
Article: Jeremy Magan
Photos: Anthony Caffery Photography
Monaro Panthers vs Tuggeranong United | Saturday, 25th July – 1pm @ Riverside Football Stadium
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The first game of Round 2 is a duel between the two teams who suffered the most severe defeats last week. Monaro Panthers were off to a difficult start, hosting NPLW Champions Belconnen. The 9-0 loss was far from ideal for coach Paul Townsley’s first game at the helm and his players will be eager to put it behind them. They face a team they lost twice to last season, by the thinnest of margins (3-2 at Riverside, 2-1 in Greenway). Their ambion will be to score their first goal and first points of 2020 on Saturday.
Tuggeranong United faced a very efficient Canberra United Academy side on Sunday, and the 3-1 defeat does not reflect the great defensive effort Michael Aldred’s players put in. United’s goal is to meddle with top four this season and their journey to the finals start with a result at Riverside. They will count on their top scorer, Kristy Helmers, to keep the momentum going after she found the net last week with a late penalty. No points after two games in this short season would surely be a blow Tuggies can'tt afford to take.
My prediction: Monaro 1 – 2 Tuggeranong
Canberra Olympic FC vs Woden Weston FC | Saturday, 25th July – 3pm @ O’Connor Enclosed 1
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In another duel between two sides looking for their first points, Olympic hosts the Wanderers at O’Connor on Saturday. The home side had a great game last Sunday, despite losing 2-0 to Gungahlin. The off season addition of the likes of Nicole Begg, Elle Hemmings and Sienna Farrar had an immediate effect on the field and showed Andrew Woodman’s side are a serious contender for a finals spot in 2020. After conceding seven goals to Woden Weston in 2019 (two losses, 3-1 and 4-1), this weekend is their chance to show the league they are not the wooden spooners anymore.
The Wanderers are still wondering how they lost last weekend after such a solid display against Canberra Croatia. Their high pressure style of defence will be a real test for Olympic. The Wanderers will be looking to improve their efficiency in front of the goals on Saturday, to grab their first points on the season and move on from last week's heartbreak.
I anticipate a 1-1 draw.
Wagga City Wanderers vs Canberra Croatia | Sunday, 26th July – 3.00pm @ Gissing Oval
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With a BYE last week, we have not had a chance to see Wagga City Wanderers in 2020. The team coached by Sam Gray had a busy off season after finishing 2019 in seventh spot, just one point above bottom of the table Canberra Olympic. Experienced talent like former Central Coast Academy Miranda Walker was added to a young team Gray vows to develop without rushing the pursuit of results. Canberra Croatia is a tough team to play on your first game, but the Wanderers will try and make the best of their home advantage.
After nail-biting victory on Woden Weston’s field Sunday, Canberra Croatia play their second away game in a row. Nik Brozinic’s squad showed their great talent and style of play in week 1. They will want to make the game easier by finding the back of the nets earlier against a team they comfortable beat twice last season (13-2, 10-0). Two wins in two games would be perfect for Canberra Croatia before taking a weekend off (BYE next week).
Predictions: Wagga City Wanderers 1 – 4 Canberra Croatia
Canberra United Academy vs Gungahlin United | Sunday, 26th July – 4.20pm @ Hawker Football Center
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The NPLW game of the weekend will see the Academy and the Gunners in a rematch of last season’s Elimination Final (won by CUA 4-2). Scott O’Donnell’s team can get six out a possible six points on the weekend and will count on prolific striker Hayley Taylor-Young, who scored every time she faced Gungahlin in 2019.
The Gunners will want their revenge after the Elimination Final. During the regular season, the teams were even: they each won their home game 2-1. Reinforced by off-season signings, including former Academy players Steffi Leijins and Taniah Miro, and confident after their victory against Canberra Olympic on week 1, Diego Iglesias’ team will want to draw first blood on Sunday. A victory will comfort their position as one of the league’s favourites in 2020.
Tough game to predict between two teams who play great passing football, but I will go for an away win: Canberra United Academy 2 – 3 Gungahlin Unite
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