WOMEN’S PREVIEW: MANLY UNITED v SYDNEY UNIVERSITY

Defending NPL NSW Women’s Premiers Sydney University visit Cromer Park on Sunday in what is sure to be a tough test for the Manly United Women’s 1st Grade team.

This fixture is a rematch of the 2020 NPL NSW Women’s Grand Final, when Manly lifted the trophy after defeating Sydney University 2-1. Manly have a good recent record against Sydney Uni and haven’t lost to The Students since that famous day at Valentine Sports Park – our last game against Uni (Round 20 of the 2022 season) was coincidentally also a 2-1 victory at Valentine Sports Park.

Emily Minett was on the scoresheet in the 2020 Grand Final and could once again be one of Manly’s leading threats in attack. Meanwhile, our defence can always rely on 1st Grade captain Ruby Jackson, who was named Player of the Match after Sunday’s game against Emerging Jets. Jackson and goalkeeper Nicole Simonsen played a large role in Manly’s third clean sheet of the season, one which earned us a valuable away point.

Another big defensive effort will be required against Sydney Uni as they are the league’s highest scorers. Former Young Matilda Annabel Martin brings a lot of experience to Uni’s side, and we will need to keep an eye on Talia Kapetanellis after her hat trick in Uni’s last game, a 5-2 win over Illawarra Stingrays.

Our Reserve Grade side are still undefeated after Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Emerging Jets. Ruby Egan-Brown scored in that game and is now top scorer for Manly Reserves with four goals. Our other scorer from that game, Mikala Tucker, is having an excellent start to life as a Manly United player and was named Reserves Player of the Match for the game against the Jets.

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

Manly United v Sydney University

Sunday 30 April, 5pm (Reserves at 3pm)

Cromer Park