The dark spectre of wet weather and water laden pitches hangs over this weekend’s round of the Arrive Alive Women’s Super League. Conditions at the time of penning this preview don’t look promising but let’s hope all of our players get on the park this Sunday. Central Coast Lightning has the bye this week after also having last Sunday’s match washed out. I hope that the Lightning girls can still remember how to kick a ball by Round 11! This weekend doesn’t have any stand out contests as such but there are certainly a few competitive looking matches which should offer some good football. At Francis Park the new competition front runners, Blacktown Spartans, take on Lady Hawks. The Spartans had a defining week of football last week with wins over APIA midweek and then Gladesville Ravens on Sunday. The wins were narrow and hard fought but showed that Blacktown will be hard to beat in the title race this season. Lauren Vosota certainly left her mark on the week, scoring the winning goal in both Blacktown’s matches. The Lady Hawks will need to keep a close eye on Vosota who has the gift of exceptional pace. Blacktown have been good across the park this season and appear to have arrived as a consistent football team. The Lady Hawks Round 9 match against St George FC was washed out last weekend. Prior to that, in Round 8, the Lady Hawks took something of a mauling at the hands of the APIA Leichhardt Tigers. Things have been a little topsy turvy for the Lady Hawks side in 2010; some good results mixed with some ordinary ones. They are five points outside the top four and will need a big effort through the back half of the season to resurrect any finals hopes they may have. Blacktown have worked hard to get to the top of the table. They’ll be keen to stay there and I expect them to win this game. APIA Leichhardt Tigers meet Eastern UNSW Lions at Lambert Park. APIA are only three points off the competition lead in third place coming into this weekend. They’ve still failed to convince a number of people of their title aspirations with some ordinary efforts in a number of games this season. Last weekend’s narrow escape against Springwood United FC is a prime example of APIA’s woes with the individual brilliance of Natalie Spirovski being the only thing that saved the side from an inglorious defeat. APIA can’t rely on individuals for the entire season. The Tigers can beat anyone on their day but really need to get their best football rolling. The Eastern UNSW Lions are another side who may have forgotten how to play football with their last match being played on the 9th May. That was a big day for the debuting club, scoring their first win of the Arrive Alive Women’s Super League season. That weekend has been followed by a bye and then a washed out game last Sunday. The first round clash between these two teams saw The Lions lead until late in the game before holding APIA to a 2-2 draw. They may lack some of the dynamic playing roster of this weekend’s opponents but the girls at Eastern UNSW surely have big hearts. APIA were missing a number of high profile players last Sunday but the side really needs to start playing to its potential. This won’t be an easy game but I suspect that APIA will get the points. At Parklands Oval the Northern Tigers host second placed Gladesville Ravens. The Tigers have had an unsettled week or so with the loss of one of their footballing family. The girls will be very determined to put in a big effort this weekend. Prior to last weekend’s washed out game they put in quite a competitive performance before losing 1-0 to Blacktown Spartans. Generally Northern Tigers have lifted their game in 2010 with some of their young players developing a level of football maturity. I admit to having a soft spot for The Tigers and am pleased by their improvement this season. Gladesville Ravens were very disappointed to be beaten by a late goal against Blacktown Spartans last weekend. They’ve now lost two of their last three games; not that either loss should detract from their standing as both were narrow and to other title contenders. I’ve written more than once this season about the more consistent resolve of The Ravens in 2010. This then is a match where they need to stand up and show that they can roll with the punches. Last weekend hurt but Gladesville are still right in the premiership hunt. I think that this could be one of the better matches of the weekend. Northern Tigers will give Gladesville a battle but I expect The Ravens to come out on top. At St George Stadium St George FC play Springwood United FC. St George FC stayed at home with their feet up last Sunday after their game at St George Stadium was washed out. They’ll be hoping for better luck this weekend. Other than a draw with Northern Tigers St George’s recent form hasn’t been anything to get excited about. They haven’t won since the corresponding fixture in Round 1 so the girls are certainly overdue for some success. A win probably sees them safe from any chance of snaring the wooden spoon in 2010. A loss gives their opponents new hope of unloading that “honor”. Springwood United FC Coach Sam Fornito must have thought his side were about to break their drought last weekend. Deservedly leading 2-0 over APIA at half time Springwood looked the goods but the class of a Natalie Spirovski hat trick ended up denying them their first points of 2010. Still, it was a mighty good effort by the Springwood girls; one that should have them brimful of confidence for their clash with St George. Springwood considered themselves unlucky in the first round match so they’ll be out to make amends here. This will be close. Both sides have been struggling through the season but this offers the opportunity for one of them to have a day in the sun. I’m tipping Springwood United to get win number one of their debut season. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that the rain clouds move out to sea and the weekend is bright and sunny. Catch up game “fever” is no fun for anyone. All teams will want to be playing this Sunday. Please do your bit by being out there to support your favorite team. See you at the ground. Source FNSW-By Ross Anderson