WOMEN’S PREVIEW: EMERGING JETS v MANLY UNITED

The Manly United Women’s 1st Grade team will travel up the M1 motorway on Sunday for an evening game against Emerging Jets at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility.

Manly were victorious in both 2022 meetings with the Jets and haven’t lost to the Hunter Valley side since 2017. Our last visit to Lake Macquarie was capped by a brilliant individual goal from Polly Doran which earned us a thrilling 4-3 victory, while the game at Cromer Park resulted in a 3-1 win for Manly.

As Manly attempt to recover from consecutive defeats against the top two, APIA Leichhardt and Northern Tigers, flying winger Sienna Dale will be unavailable as she is in Mongolia with the Junior Matildas for Round 1 of the 2024 AFC Women’s Under 17 Championship qualifiers. However, Sunday’s goalscorer Mia Bales is expected to be a strong forward threat, while Emily Minett has scored in her last three games against Emerging Jets. Phoebe Gilbane was a standout performer on the weekend, displaying her trademark energy and contributing plenty to the right side of Manly’s formation.

Our defenders will need to watch out for Emerging Jets striker Brinley Gentle, who is the top scorer in NPL NSW Women’s with six goals. The young Jets squad also has Josie Allan and Chloe Walandouw, who both have A-League Women experience with Newcastle Jets and were both members of the Junior Matildas squad that won the 2022 AFF Women’s Under 18 Championship.

The Manly Women’s Reserve Grade team are having a brilliant season. They are still undefeated and Sunday’s 3-1 victory over Northern Tigers took them to the top of the table. Caitlin Wallace stood out in that game, while Jemima Lockley opened the scoring with a nice finish.

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

Emerging Jets v Manly United

Sunday 23 April, 5pm (Reserves at 3pm)

Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility