By Chris Curulli
Remy Siemsen sent out a rallying cry to Northern Beaches fans as Sydney FC prepare to take on their fierce cross-town rivals Western Sydney Wanderers at Cromer Park on Saturday.
The stakes have never been so high for a W-League derby with both sides sitting level on points in second and third spot heading into the final three rounds of the season.
Both the Sky Blues and Red and Black have played some exciting football over the course of this season and are fuelled by a belief that they are serious title contenders.
After Western Sydney secured their first derby triumph in five years with a resounding 5-0 victory back in December, Sydney will be determined to restore bragging rights this time around.
Siemsen is expecting a tough battle to unfold on her home turf.
Its going to be a massive one, she said.
Every game has been hard this season and you can’t underestimate any team in the league, but the rivalry always brings extra emphasis to a derby game.
I encourage everyone to get out to Cromer Park as I know it’s going to be a great contest against Western Sydney who are on the same points as us.
Saturdays fixture is of added personal significance for Siemsen.
Not only is she returning to the home of Manly United, who she represented from the age of nine, but the striker is poised to face off against her former club.
After a disappointing year with Western Sydney, Siemsen recaptured her goalscoring touch on return to the reigning champions this season.
While she currently leads the race for the golden boot with seven strikes to her name so far, the former Young Matilda is more focused on Sydney FC securing a top two finish.
I’m just worried about the result and doing my job for the team, Siemsen enforced.
If we get the three points on the weekend that’s a massive success to me, whether I’m scoring goals or not.
The girls have amped up the intensity in training in preparation for the last three games of the season.
We want to host a home final so every point we gain over the next few weeks is going to be super important.
Almost three thousand fans packed into Cromer Park for Sydneys round four clash with Melbourne City, and Siemsen is hoping to enjoy another phenomenal showing of support from the Northern Beaches football community.
We did notice against Melbourne City that the crowd was our 12th man and they were really spurring us to try and fight back, she recalled.
We love playing in front of lots of fans and the more support the better off we will be. It’s just going to make the Derby an even bigger one.
It’s going to be a huge day at Cromer Park and hopefully we can come away with the three points.
Secure your tickets now at:https://www.eventopia.co//Round-12-Sydney-FC-v-West/397322
All MWFA, MUFC and NSFA female players can also redeem a free general admission ticket to using your First Name and your FFA No. (eg.Karon12345678) as a promo code. Each redeemed ticket needs to be entered separately.
The MWFA are also hosting a free girls only Gala Day which will run from 2:30-3:30pm on Cromer #2 before the W-League game kicks off at 5:00pm on Cromer Park #1.
Spots for the Gala Day can be secured here: https://form.jotform.co/200048746827863