WOMEN’S PREVIEW: MANLY UNITED v NWS SPIRIT

The Manly United Women’s 1st Grade team is at home on Sunday for a big game against NWS Spirit. They’ll be looking to build on last week’s solid draw against Bulls FC Academy.

In that game, Phoebe Gilbane was once again a standout performer, and the energetic defender is sure to be a key player for Manly as they look to move back into the winner’s circle. Nicole Stuart performs a similar role and she’s capable of making an impact on the flanks, while in goals the ever-dependable Nicole Simonsen can be relied upon to make key saves in every game.

Spirit are flying high in third place and under the stewardship of head coach Tiana Gauci, they look set to make the NPL NSW Women’s 1st Grade finals series for the first time since 2016. Speedy forward Morgan Roberts leads their attack and has scored 13 times this year (including two goals when Manly played Spirit at Christie Park in May), while Ella Abdul Massih and Mary Stanic-Floody (both former Junior Matildas) add a lot of skill to the Spirit midfield. Sunday’s opponents can also call upon former Manly United forward Sophie Harding, who was a member of our 2017 Championship winning squad.

Manly’s Reserve Grade team won 2-0 against Bulls FC Academy last weekend to stretch their unbeaten run to four games. Ruby Egan-Brown scored against Bulls, taking her season tally to ten goals (seven for the Reserves and three in the Sapphire Cup), with Valentina Bradley being the other player to score at Northbridge Oval. Our Reserves are in seventh place and five points off a finals spot, so victory will be crucial to their chances of postseason football.

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

Manly United v NWS Spirit

Sunday 13 August, 5pm (Reserves at 3pm)

Cromer Park