APIA a mystery but United still buzzing after comeback at Christie Park
Manly United mid-fielder Ruby Jackson doesn’t know what to expect from APIA Leichhardt in their match at Cromer Park on Sunday because despite it being round three of the NPL NSW women’s competition APIA has yet to play a game.
“They postponed their first two games without their W-League players,” Jackson said. “And I’m really not sure what players they’ve recruited or retained. I do know they’ve got a good one from Sydney Uni, Nicki Flannery. But it’s their first game of the season so who knows?”
Jackson does know it’ll be a “really fast, high-energy game and a real challenge for us. We’ve got injures to Sophie Nenadovic and Libby Copus-Brown. So it’ll be very interesting.”
Jackson said she expects the entire team to fill the breach left by two quality players. “Everyone will step up. Jane Vanzino has been killing it. Nicole Stuart always plays well in big games. Caitlin Jarvie will be back and leading. And Chloe O’Brien will be leading as always,” Jackson said.
Jackson added that the squad had trained very well, with W-League players returning in dribs-and-drabs and that spirits were high in the camp high following the remarkable, come-from-behind 3-2 win over North West Sydney Koalas.
“Energy is super high after the game on Sunday,” Jackson said. “I’ve never been part of a game like it when you’ve come back from 2-nil down to win in the 90th minute. We were all so tired buzzing afterwards. And that carried through to training on Tuesday.”
Manly United take on APIA Leichhardt at Cromer Park on Sunday. Kick-off is at 3pm.
If you cannot make it to the match all the action can be watched live at: https://www.npl.tv/en-au/page/nsw