Round 11 Preview – NPL Women’s NSW

After 10 rounds of the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition there are no longer any undefeated teams with this weekend’s fixtures sure to throw up some enticing encounters.

NWS Spirit v Northern Tigers @Christie Park, Saturday 3pm

The action kicks off on Saturday at 3pm at Christie Park as NWS Spirit host the Northern Tigers in one of the big games of the weekend.

Tony Candy’s side have burst into the Top Four for the first time this season after their impressive win on the weekend, making it three straight wins for them.

Spirit has scored a whopping 10 goals in those three games and only conceded one, displaying just how good things are going at both ends of the park for them.

Of those 10 goals scored, Skye Halmarick is the culprit of eight, her season tally already at 13 for the season.

The Tigers at the other end have found themselves in a mini-rut, losing two consecutive games, so far their only losses of the campaign.

Conceding six goals over that period and yet to hold a clean sheet in 2025, it is something the Tigers will need to look at.

This will be a tough away trip but also the perfect time to break the run of form as well as move back ahead of Spirit on the table.

Bulls FC Academy v Macarthur Rams @Northbridge Oval, Sunday 2:40pm

The first game on Sunday will see Bulls FC Academy take on the Macarthur Rams at Northbridge Oval from 2:40pm.

Four games without defeat and the Bulls have turned a corner, slowly but surely creeping up the ladder.

They were ruthless in front of goal against Sydney Olympic, Amber Luchtmeijer, Petria Phillips and Isabella Coco Di-Sipio lethal weapons in the front third.

Macarthur snapped a four-game losing streak with perhaps their best performance of the season, defeating Sydney University.

Claire Corbett again finding the back of the net and Halle Callow scoring her 4th and 5th of the season with some free-flowing football.

Illawarra Stingrays v Manly United @Macedonia Park, Sunday 5pm

The Illawarra Stingrays return to Macedonia Park on Sunday at 5pm as they host Manly United.

Only one loss for the Stingrays this season and a character building come from behind win away from home against UNSW.

Siobhan Edwards scored the winner at The Village Green, her seventh of the season and has been in good form for the Stingrays.

Tom Hopley’s side bounced back from their first defeat of the season to the Bulls with a gutsy win over the Gladesville Ravens.

They are equal points with their rivals but ahead of them on goal difference and a win here would push them into outright second.

Sydney University v Gladesville Ravens @Sydney Uni Football Ground, Sunday 5pm

At Sydney Uni football Ground, Sydney University hosts the Gladesville Ravens on Sunday night.

After a few solid results and seemingly playing themselves into form, they suffered their sixth loss of the season against the Macarthur Rams.

A win here would lift Oz Rowley’s team above their opponents and make life a little more comfortable in the relegation battle.

Only one win in their last five games and Lauren Phelps’ team has not been able to get going as yet in 2025.

Lexie Moreno scored again which is encouraging, but they will be without one of their best players so far this season in Kiara Bonora who saw red last weekend.

Mt Druitt Town Rangers v WSW @Popondetta Park, Sunday 5pm

The Mt Druitt Town Rangers take on the Western Sydney Wanderers at Popondetta Park on Sunday at 5pm.

There was shock for Ben Gough and Mt Druitt last week as they were defeated by the Newcastle Jets, suffering their first defeat of the season.

A response is required, in particular to hold on to top spot on the ladder with 2nd and 3rd playing against each other.

Worryingly for the Rangers, they conceded five goals against the Jets, more goals in one game than what they had conceded in the nine matches prior.

The Wanderers poor form continues, three straight defeats now with a straight forward loss to Spirit last weekend 3-0.

Finding the back of the net has also become a problem for Jamie Dib’s team, finding the back of the net only once in their last three games.

Should they lose, they could drop nine points away from finals football.

UNSW v Newcastle Jets @The Village Green, Sunday 5pm

At The Village Green on Sunday night, UNSW face off against the Newcastle Jets.

Only one win for UNSW in their last five games and they currently sit in eighth place on the ladder.

With the team acquired, UNSW definitely expected to be holding a better spot and sitting higher on the standings.

Last weekend’s defeat would have hurt, they lead from the second minute with Chloe Smith breaking her goal drought, only to collapse in the final 10 minutes and lose.

The Newcastle Jets come into this game full of confidence, winning two games in a row in the space of three days, defeating both APIA Leichhardt and Mt Druitt.

Annika Driscoll, Claire Adams, Alexis Collins and Layla Sharpe are so dangerous in the front third and despite sitting in 10th, have one of the most potent attacks in the league.

The issue is at the other end where the Jets have the worst defence in the league, something that has been a known problem for them.

APIA Leichhardt v Sydney Olympic @Lambert Park, Sunday 5:15pm

It’s the Inner West derby at Lambert Park as APIA Leichhardt host Sydney Olympic on Sunday evening in the final match of the round at 5:15pm.

APIA finally snapped a three-match losing streak, defeating the Northern Tigers on a difficult away trip.

New signing Alyssa Rose has already shown she will be an excellent addition, along with Ash Brodigan in the front third.

Already with five losses this season, Brad Attard will be hoping that win against the Tigers can now kick start their campaign and their ascent up the ladder.

Four straight losses and still no wins for Sydney Olympic sees them sitting bottom of the league.

They were poor on Sunday against the Bulls and well beaten in the end.

They need to strengthen as soon as possible to try and give themselves a fighting chance of remaining in the competition with relegation looking a serious possibility now.

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-By Nikola Pozder