After an opening weekend of surprising results, round two of the W-League kicks off this weekend with the leagues first every Derby headlining the action.

Sydney FC v Western Sydney Wanderers FC

The Westfield W-League’s maiden city derby takes the spotlight this weekend as Sydney FC face fledgling club Western Sydney Wanderers. Both sides showed enough in the opening round to suggest they will be highly competitive, and the action is likely to be as tense as it was in last week’s maiden Hyundai A-League derby between the pair.

Adding extra spice are a handful of former Sky Blues now donning the Wanderers strip. Captain Sarah Walsh, Teigen Allen and Servet Uzunlar are the most prominent former FC stars, but almost the entire squad have been coached by Sky Blues mentor Alen Stajcic at some stage. Sydney FC will be boosted by the return of captain and 2011 top goalscorer Kyah Simon following suspension.

First week nerves were in evidence last weekend for Sydney FC who found themselves 2-0 down early on, before Matildas stars Ellyse Perry and Sam Kerr inspired a comeback to share a thrilling 3-3 draw against Newcastle Jets. Conversely, Western Sydney Wanderers somehow lost 4-3 after holding a two-goal margin in Adelaide with a little over ten minutes remaining.

Many of the Wanderers have been away from the Westfield W-League for a couple of seasons so adjusting to the increased tempo will take time, although there will be little respite from the Sky Blues’ pacy and athletic young brigade.

Saturday 27 October 2012

Leichhardt Oval, Sydney

Local kick-off: 2pm

Catch the Action on ABC1 from 5pm AEDT

Referee: Peta McCallum

AR1: Tanya de Boer

AR2: Kelly Jones

4th Official: Katie Patterson

Sydney FC squad: 1. Sian MCCLAREN, 2. Teresa POLIAS, 3. Elizabeth RALSTON, 4. Sam KERR, 5. Meg McLAUGHLIN, 7. Nicola BOLGER, 8. Amy HARRISON, 9. Caitlin FOORD, 10. Renee ROLLASON, 11. Annalie LONGO, 12. Chloe LOGARZO, 13. Larissa CRUMMER, 14. Alanna KENNEDY, 15. Hannah BROMLEY, 17. Kyah SIMON (c), 18. Brittany WHITFIELD, 19 Emma KETE, 20. Sham KHAMIS (gk) (* three to be omitted)

Ins: Meg McLAUGHLIN, Amy HARRISON, Brittany WHITFIELD (promoted), 17. Kyah SIMON (returns from suspension)

Outs: Ellyse PERRY (unavailable)

Unavailable: Natalie TOBIN (injured)

Western Sydney Wanderers squad: 1. Liz DURACK, 2. Samantha SPACKMAN, 3. Alexandra HUYNH, 4. Alesha CLIFFORD, 5. Olivia KENNEDY, 6. Rachael SOUTAR, 7. Jenna KINGSLEY, 8. Vanessa HART, 9. Sarah WALSH (c), 10. Servet UZUNLAR, 12. Jessica SEAMAN, 13. Catherine CANNULI, 14. Trudy CAMILLERI, 15. Teigen ALLEN, 16. Linda O'NEILL, 17. Alisha BASS, 21. Georgia ROWNTREE (* two to be omitted)

Ins: 6. Rachael SOUTAR, 13. Catherine CANNULI (both return from injury)

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: Nil

Newcastle Jets v Canberra United

Another potentially epic match looms as champions Canberra United make the long road trip to take on a new-look Newcastle side. The Jets were flying high until midway through the second half last weekend, before being overrun in the latter stages by a high-energy Sydney FC, surrendering their two goal lead before hanging on for a 3-3 draw.

Nevertheless, the Jets showed more than enough to suggest they are serious semi-final contenders. Their new American trio and returning Novocastrian Hayley Crawford offer invaluable experience, while Emily van Egmond continues to mature rapidly.

Canberra didn’t have the same fluency in their scoreless draw against Brisbane that they showed throughout last season, but coach Jitka Klimkova says she has ‘confidence in my side’. History is on the side of Canberra who have lost just one of eight outings against Newcastle.

Saturday 27 October 2012

Wanderers Oval, Newcastle

Local kick-off: 2pm

Referee: Kirralee Gardener

AR1: Melinda Bell

AR2: Eleanor Hayes

4th Official: Alison Logue

Canberra United squad: 1. Mackenzie ARNOLD (gk), 2. Caitlin COOPER, 3. Georgia YEOMAN-DALE, 4. Christine WALTERS, 5. Grace FIELD, 6. Caitlin MUNOZ, 7. Ellie BRUSH, 8. Hayley RASO, 9. Grace GILL, 10. Snez VELJANOVSKA, 11. Michelle HEYMAN, 12. Sally ROJAHN, 13. Nicole SYKES, 14. Ashleigh SYKES, 16. Catherine BROWN, 17. Arian HINGST, 18. Samantha WOOD, 19. Jennifer BISSET, 20. Trudy BURKE (gk) (* four to be omitted)

Ins: Nil

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: Sally Shipard (knee – 1 week)

Newcastle Jets squad: 1. Eliza CAMPBELL (gk), 2. Hannah BREWER 3. Hayley CRAWFORD, 4.Gemma PEARCE, 5. Tori HUSTER, 6. Angela SALEM, 7. Gema SIMON, 9. Tara ANDREWS, 10. Emily van EGMOND, 11. Kate HENSMAN, 12. Tiffany BOSHERS, 13. Bronte BATES, 14. Sammara SCHMITZER, 15. Alishia FOOTE, 16. Stacey DAY, 17. Mikaela HOWELL, 18. Michaela HATZIRODOS, 20. Alannah ROSEWOOD (gk) *Three to be omitted

Ins: Nil

Outs Nil

Unavailable: 8. Madeline SEARL (injury)

Perth Glory v Adelaide United

These two spent last season in a desperate battle to avoid the wooden spoon, but the pair have opened the new campaign sharing top spot. The manner of their wins providing yet more evidence that the Westfield W-League will be the most even in its five-year history.

Victory for either team will provide significant momentum and set up the opportunity to be genuine competitors for semi-final contention. Adelaide have found a gem in attack in New Zealand striker Sarah McLaughlin who made a remarkable debut, with a ten-minute match-winning hat-trick to help her new side to an epic 4-3 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers.

Perth, too, have significantly strengthened in the off-season, notably with the arrival of Westfield Matildas’ headliners Collette McCallum and Kate Gill. The pair were both prominent in an important 2-0 win against Melbourne Victory on home soil last weekend.

One-time national team player Ella Mastrantonio returns from injury, however Aivi Luik’s hamstring injury means the former Roar midfielder is still at least a week from making her Glory debut. 

Saturday 27 October 2012

Intiga Stadium, Adelaide

Local kick-off: 3pm

Referee: Renee Silvester

AR1: Jarrad Kennington

AR2: Marcus Watts

4th Official: Matthew Southern

Perth Glory squad: 1. Carly TELFORD (gk), 2. Sarah CARROLL, 3. Carys HAWKINS, 4. Bronwyn STUDMAN, 5. Shannon MAY, 6. Sasha ANDREWS, 8. Ella MASTRANTONIO, 9. Rosie SUTTON, 10. Jaymee GIBBONS, 12. Kate GILL, 13. Elisa D’OVIDIO, 14. Collette MCCALLUM (C), 15. Elizabeth MILNE, 16. Thia EASTMAN, 17. Marianna TABAIN, 19. Shawn BILLAM, 20. Zoe PALANDRI (gk) (* two to be omitted)

Ins: Ella Mastrantonio, Thia EASTMAN (promoted)

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: Aivi Luik (Hamstring – 1 week), Kirri BOLTON (Hip – 2 weeks)

Adelaide United squad: 1. Kristi HARVEY (gk), 2. Ruth WALLACE, 3. Alex NATOLI, 5. Abby ERCEG (Captain), 6. Cassandra TSOUMBRIS, 7. Racheal QUIGLEY, 8. Sarah McLAUGHLIN, 9. Marijana RAJCIC, 11. Grace HENRY, 13. Ann MAYO, 14. Lorena MAGGIO, 15. Emma CHECKER, 16. Jessica WATERHOUSE, 17. Laura JOHNS, 18. Georgia MACRI, 19. Holly PATTERSON (*one to be omitted)

Ins: Alex Natoli  

Outs: 4. Jessie WHAREPOURI, 10. Jenna MCCORMICK, 12. Elise WHORLOW, 20. Kelly BARLTROP (gk)

Unavailable:  Nil

Melbourne Victory v Brisbane Roar

Both teams failed to collect road wins last weekend and thus will be anxious to collect all three points to kick-start their respective campaigns. The Victory suffered a 2-0 reversal in Perth, while the Roar secured a hard-fought scoreless draw against Canberra in the Grand Final rematch. The Victory, who had only a relatively short lead time with new coach Mike Mulvey during pres-season, will be boosted this week by the arrival of tall striker Jessica McDonald. The American is the Victory’s third and final international signing following the return of compatriot Danielle Johnson and Swede Petra Larsson, who will arrive in the coming weeks. The Roar’s squad is starting to take on a more familiar look with the return this week of defender Laura Alleway from a stint in England, and midfielder Ashley Spina from a year-long absence with a knee injury. Matildas star Tameka Butt can also be expected to start after returning from injury last weekend with a high-energy 30 minute cameo off the bench.

Saturday 27 October 2012

Veneto Club, Melbourne

Local kick-off: 4pm

Referee: Rebecca Durcau

AR1: Laura Moya

AR2: Melanie Closter

4th Official: Joanna Charaktis

Melbourne Victory squad: 1. Brianna DAVEY (gk), 2: Danielle JOHNSON, 3. Maika RUYTER-HOOLEY, 4. Rebekah STOTT, 7. Stephanie CATLEY, 8. Ashley BROWN, 9. Tiffany ELIADIS, 10. Jessica McDonald. 11. Caitlin FRIEND, 12. Jacqueline VOGT, 14. Enza BARILLA, 15. Amy JACKSON, 17. Gulcan KOCA, 18. Cindy LAY, 20. Cassandra DIMOVSKI

Ins: 10. Jessica McDonald (USA)

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: Nil

Brisbane Roar squad: 1. Hoshimi KISHI (GK), 2. Laura Alleway, 3. Amy CHAPMAN, 4. Clare POLKINGHORNE, 5. Brooke SPENCE, 6. Ashley Spina, 7. Erika ELZE, 10. Lana HARCH, 11. Vedrana POPOVIC, 13. Tameka BUTT, 15. Hannah BEARD, 16. Sachiko TATSUOKA, 17. Emily GIELNIK, 19. Katrina GORRY, 18. Kate STEWART (GK)

Ins: Laura ALLEWAY (Returns from overseas), Ashley SPINA (Returns from Injury)

Outs: Emma PITTMAN, Georgia CHAPMAN (both omitted)

Unavailable: 8. Elise KELLOND-KINGHT (Injured 3 weeks)