Ulverstone v South Hobart
Date: Saturday 10 October
Venue: Ulverstone Showground
Kick Off: 2:15 PM
2020 Record:
Ulverstone (3-3-5)
South Hobart (4-1-6)
Top Scorers
Ulv: (5) Eli Cropp
Sth: (7) Eliane Fader
Recent Head to Head Record
2020: Round 8: South Hobart 1 - 4 Ulverstone
2020: Round 5: South Hobart 1 - 1 Ulverstone
2019: Round 20: Ulverstone 6 - 2 South Hobart
Match Primer
The race for third is heating up. Current holders South Hobart have been pursued with vigor and a narrow one point now separates South from Ulverstone, while Kingborough are nipping at their heels with a game in hand. One outside factor that could provide the extra boost is this match will be the last of the season at Ulverstone. An opportunity to provide a spectacle for the home faithful with a good performance and a nose ahead in the race for 3rd is one hell of an incentive. South Hobart have shown a fondness for scoring goals down the flanks, Ulverstone’s quick fullbacks will need to be on their game and tracking back to thwart the visitors. Ulverstone have demonstrated some flexibility in ideas on the park. Last weekend there was a high press from the attack, but whether that same mentality is pulled out on a different opponent is yet to be seen. While South Hobart themselves are capable of making defenders sweat on the ball, particularly as Ulverstone have been stung from defensive turnovers this season. To pick a winner is to split hairs, though Ulverstone seemingly had South’s number last time at Darcy Street in a season best performance. However, South Hobart can’t be discounted on that performance alone.
Kingborough Lions v University
Date: Sunday 11 October
Venue: Lightwood Park
Kick Off: 2:15 PM
2020 Record:
University (0-1-9)
Kingborough Lions (3-0-6)
Top Scorers
Uni: (3) Sophie Young, Olivia Young
KL: (7) Laura Davis
Recent Head to Head Record
2020: Round 8: University 2 - 8 Kingborough
2019 Women’s Statewide Cup Quarterfinal: University 0 - 5 Kingborough Lions
2018: Round 20: University 2 - 0 Kingborough Lions
Match Primer
There’s been a change of fortunes for Kingborough since the pairs first meeting, with the Lions in a prime position to challenge for a top 3 finish. The youngsters at the Den have found their groove, particularly showing some bite with a come from behind win in their last match. Unfortunately that fortune hasn’t made its way up the road to the Hive, with University still languishing at the bottom of the ladder. The Bees have been hit with player unavailability and have struggled to find a foothold this year.
Neither side can boast of a stellar defensive record, posing the two worst in the competition. It will be safer to leave any sheets in the washing machine, because a clean sheet is unlikely in this match up. Kingborough’s frontline has snapped back into action in recent weeks, demonstrating they can produce goals when called upon. While the Bees remain a threat on the counter with pace that can expose defences caught sitting too high. University hasn’t found a way to outscore it’s leaky defence this season. In moments they’ve shown themselves capable of being organised defensively and difficult to break down, but stringing together 90 minutes has been a miss for much of the season. Round 8 saw a convincing win by the Lions and it’s difficult to see things swing a different way despite a change in scenery.
Olympia Warriors v Clarence Zebras
Date: Sunday 11 October
Venue: Warrior Park
Kick Off: 2:15 PM
2020 Record:
Olympia (10-0-1)
Clarence Zebras (8-1-1)
Top Scorers
CZ: (11) Zoe Nichols, Allie Berry
Oly: (20) Bonnie Davies
Recent Head to Head Record
2020: Round 8: Clarence Zebras 0 - 1 Olympia Warriors
2020: Round 5: Clarence Zebras 1 - 0 Olympia Warriors
2020: Summer Cup Final: Clarence Zebras 4 - 1 Olympia Warriors
Match Primer
It’s the third and final matchup of the WSL season between Olympia and Clarence Zebras, and for the first time the game is headed to Warrior Park. Pre-season the hope was for a tight title race and largely that’s happened. Olympia can all but mathematically wrap up the title with three points but a win to Clarence Zebras would cut the Warriors lead to 2 points and with a game in hand that would put them in the box seat to raise the silverware. Usually a match of fine margins, the past two encounters have seen the Warriors dominate possession and much of the territory despite the results being split one win each. First time around Clarence scored early and put on the best defensive display of the season so far. The following fixture Olympia found the breakthrough and didn’t look troubled after. However, without the Wentworth Park Wind and a smaller, quicker pitch there will be a different spin on this game. The pace and dynamism of Olymipa’s attack should be expecting to meet congestion, in what will surely be organised traffic from the Zebras. Up the other end, if Clarence Zebras are daring they’ll press higher when Olympia’s players are on the ball. One area sure to dictate the game is midfield. If one team decides to sit back and soak the pressure, their midfield better be at their best to shield the backline. If the match is on an edge, with nothing to split the two, it’ll be the creative midfield maestros tasked with the responsibility to decide the match. It should be another tight battle on Sunday with the winner putting themselves in prime position to win the title. The stakes could not be higher for either side and after two close matches previously, it could certainly go either way.