Round 10 Preview – NPL Women’s NSW
Only one team remains undefeated in the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition with round 10 taking shape this weekend.
The question is can anyone stop the Mt Druitt Town Rangers who have impressed since gaining promotion into the women’s top flight this season.
Let’s check out this weekend’s preview.
Northern Tigers v APIA Leichhardt @North Turramurra, Saturday 6:30pm
The action kicks off on Saturday at North Turramurra Recreation Area as the Northern Tigers take on APIA Leichhardt.
Last weekend, the Tigers suffered their first loss of the season, going down 3-1 to the league leading Mt Druitt.
Saffron Grass was in fine form despite the loss and they’ll need her at her best again, in particular as they will be without Savannah Murray who was shown her marching orders last weekend.
Only one victory in their last five and it has been a torrid period for APIA Leichhardt, from Premiership favourites to a battle for finals position.
Things will be even tougher for APIA as they have to complete their match against the Newcastle Jets on Thursday before this difficult fixture on Saturday.
UNSW v Illawarra Stingrays @The Village Green, Sunday 5pm
On Sunday the first game is at The Village Green as UNSW face off against the Illawarra Stingrays from 5pm.
Luke Richardson’s team played some good football on Sunday night but left Christie Park with only one point, a point they secured in the dying embers of the game.
The draw keeps them three points outside of the top four but a win could sneak them in and definitely closes the gap on their opponents.
After conceding five the week before, the Stingrays bounced back holding a clean sheet and taking all three points against the Macarthur Rams.
The return of Bri Edwards was important in goals, making some key saves and showing vital leadership.
Macarthur Rams v Sydney University @Lynwood Park, Sunday 5pm
At Lynwood Park on Sunday, the Macarthur Rams and Sydney University clash marks a bottom half of the table match up.
A massive clash at Lynwood Park takes place between two teams looking to shoot up the ladder.
The Rams have lost four straight but have been right in the mix in all but one of those games.
Vic Guzman will need the likes of Sakura Nojima and Tea Mucenski to lead the squad here and stop this poor run of form.
At the other end, only one loss for Oz Rowley’s team in their last four league games, a tight one against the league leaders.
A change of fortunes and a rise in form has seen them begin a slow climb up the ladder, Sofia Fante an absolute standout between the sticks in the last few weeks.
Manly United v Gladesville Ravens @Cromer Park, Sunday 5pm
Manly United welcome the Gladesville Ravens on Sunday evening to Cromer Park for a 5pm kick off.
It was the first defeat of the season for Manly United on Sunday and came somewhat as a shock away to Bulls Academy.
Tom Hopley will be expecting an immediate reaction from his team and to get back to winning ways, trying to keep pace with the league leaders.
Not the ideal start for the Gladesville Ravens in 2025, there is no doubt they expect to be higher up the ladder.
Letting a lead slip twice in stoppage time of the first and second half of their game on the weekend would have stung.
Although, they have managed to sign Morgan Roberts, and with Lexie Moreno playing into form, the Ravens will be very dangerous in the front third.
Sydney Olympic v Bulls FC Academy @Peter Moore Field, Sunday 5pm – MOTR
The match of the round takes us to Peter Moore Field on Sunday as Sydney Olympic host Bulls FC Academy.
Olympic got a respite on the weekend when their match against the Newcastle Jets was washed out, giving Tom Richardson more time to work on issues.
Currently bottom of the league, rumours are that Olympic are strengthening considerably and we could see some of their new signings as early as this weekend.
The Bulls are one of the in-form teams of the competition, recording only one loss in ther last five league games.
Amber Luchtmeijer has returned and already made a mark, recording an assist for another player that is flying at the moment, Petria Phillips.
If finals football is a dream for the Bulls, they need to win here.
Newcastle Jets v Mt Druitt Town Rangers @Lake Macquarie, Sunday 5pm
On Sunday at Lake Macquarie, the Newcastle Jets welcome first placed Mt Druitt Town Rangers to town.
The Jets got the weekend off last week but are playing tomorrow night the final 40 minutes of their clash against APIA Leichhardt.
It will be a tough task against the league leaders for the Jets but defensive discipline again will be key for them.
Ben Gough’s team continue to roll on, week after week, recording win after win and now creating a five-point gap on their closest rival.
They have added Ena Harada to their roster along with a number of other players to add depth and strength to their already strong side.
It wouldn’t be the first time though that a cellar dweller has sprung a surprise, the Rangers will need to be weary that the Jets are extremely dangerous in the front third.
NWS Spirit v WSW @Christie Park, Sunday 5pm
NWS Spirit welcome the Western Sydney Wanderers to Christie Park on Sunday night in the final match of the round.
Spirit recorded a massive three points away from home against APIA Leichhardt that moved them into fifth place and just outside the top four.
Skye Halmarick continues her excellent form, now moving to 10 goals for the season already scoring a brace against APIA.
Only one loss in their last five for Tony Candy’s team, things are going in the right direction with a number of quality players joining the team in the coming weeks.
Jamie Dib’s team have recorded two straight defeats and subsequently dropped to seventh place on the ladder.
They’ll be cursing their luck after last week’s game where Sofia Fante was phenomenal in goals for Sydney University.
Miriam Zumaya remains the teams form player and could play a key role this weekend.
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-By Nikola Pozder
