WOMEN’S PREVIEW: MANLY UNITED V SPARTANS

Our Women’s season draws to a close on Sunday with home games against Blacktown Spartans. For Manly United, this weekend presents a chance to finish on a high after draws in the last two Women’s 1st Grade fixtures.

Last weekend saw our 1st Graders earn a solid 1-1 draw away to Bankstown City. Despite taking the lead after a brilliant individual goal from Nicole Stuart, Bankstown managed to draw level and it required a strong defensive stand in the closing stages for Manly to leave Jensen Park with a point.

Stuart and Phoebe Gilbane always bring a lot of energy to the side and those two could once again be key players as Manly chase a win to close out the 2023 campaign. In midfield, the likes of Caitlin Jarvie and Emily Bastow do a lot of work to help control things in the centre of the park.

The Spartans know that a 1st Grade win is enough for them to avoid relegation to Football NSW League One Women’s, so we are set for a tough contest at Cromer Park. Philippines international Chantelle Maniti is the Spartans captain and a regular feature in their backline, while speedy teenager Amber Luchtmeijer has been amongst the goals in recent weeks and is definitely a player Manly need to watch closely.

When we played Spartans in Round 13, Mia Bales opened the scoring, but Spartans won 2-1 after a second half comeback.

Manly’s Reserve Grade are finishing the season strongly – a 2-0 win over Bankstown City on the weekend means they are now undefeated in seven games. India Horsley and Aurelia Collins were the goalscorers for the Reserves, while Gemma Sweetnam was another standout performer.

If you can’t get to the ground for our Women’s 1st Grade clash, tune in on NPL.TV .

Manly United v Blacktown Spartans

Sunday 3 September, 5pm (Reserves at 3pm)

Cromer Park