Bulls FC Academy crowned 2025 NPL Women’s NSW Premiers

Bulls FC Academy were crowned 2025 National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s Premiers on Sunday night at Lambert Park as they defeated APIA Leichhardt 2-1 in thrilling circumstances. 

A direct clash for the Premiership between the top two teams saw the Bulls sneak in front courtesy of Petria Phillips.

APIA clawed their way back into the with just over 10 minutes to go through substitute Gisella Pipino.

Phillips ensured that the Bulls will celebrate the Premiership at Lambert Park though, scoring her second of the evening to kick off celebrations.

It was a cagey start for both teams in this one, with the sense that it was a grand final with the tension and what was on the line, as well as a very healthy crowd packed into the ground.

The home side had the fist chance of the game on 15 minutes, Charlotte Lancaster crossing in and finding Ash Crofts, the APIA captain unable to get the ball beyond Mio Nemoto.

The Bulls then went the other way immediately through Isabella Coco Di Sipio, the winger doing extremely well down the left before cutting the ball back from the by line, APIA somehow surviving with the ball ending up in Sophie Magus’ hands.

Nemoto was called back into action on the half hour mark, a ball into the box into the path of Crofts who volleyed toward goal first time, Nemoto saving and holding the ball.

Bulls’ next chance had Coco Di Sipio involved again, slipping in Jasmine Melli, the left back unselfishly crossing from insid the area when having a shot was the better option.

With half time fast approaching, the visitors were in front taking advantage of an APIA error.

Sophie Magus under hit a goal kick, falling in the path of Jynaya Dos Santos who played in Petria Phillips, the speedster getting to the ball before both Claudia Cicco and Magus, tapping the ball beyond the APIA keeper for the lead.

Dos Santos was involved immediately in the second half, slotting in Coco Di Sipio, this time Magus meeting the winger on the edge of the area and making a good save.

APIA started putting on the pressure and almost had an equaliser as Sophie Hoban started taking control of the match, her cross finding Crofts, only for Nemoto to make a good save.

Substitute Imogen Lane went close with a chance of her own, a well struck shot was to central and easy for Nemoto to save.

With 15 minutes remaining, APIA had their lifeline.

An excellent delivery into the box from a corner by Lancaster found another substitute in Pipino. who headed the ball over the line to make it 1-1.

Lancaster was feeling it, made a mazy run down the left, getting to the byline and cutting back for Crofts who could not direct who shot on target from a good position.

With APIA pushing for the go-ahead goal, they gifted the Bulls the lead.

Magus went to clear a ball, slipped over with the ball falling at the feet of Petria Phillips who took a touch, looked up and sent the ball over the APIA keeper, scoring her 10th of the season in the process.

Things went from bad to worse for the home side as Alyssa Rose was given a straight red card as Petria Phillips broke through, the midfielder bringing her down and denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity.

Avaani Prakash came off the bench for the Bulls and should have made it three, took too many touches and wasted a good opportunity.

The Bulls held firm, Liz Grey leading like a true captain and putting her body on the line for the whole 90, lifting the Premiership and consolidating top spot for the Bulls and coach Marty Garces.

Match Stats

APIA Leichhardt 1 (Pipino 75’)

Bulls FC Academy 2 (Phillips 37’, 83’)

Sunday, 31 August

Lambert Park

APIA Leichhardt: 1. Magus, 2. Cicco, 4. Seaman, 6. Walker, 7. Lancaster, 11. Crofts, 13. Jasnos (15. Pipino), 16. Fragale (8. McNulty), 18. Hoban, 38. Rose, 39. Brodigan (19. Lane).

Substitutes Not Used: 5. Kilbride, 25. Collins, 30. Cuthill.

Yellow Cards: Nil.

Red Cards: Rose.

Bulls FC Academy: 1. Nemoto, 5. Grey, 6. Hogarth Scott (7. Prakash), 8. Valetta, 10. Souza, 11. Naemi (2. Callil), 12. Melli, 14. Phillips, 16. Coco-Di Sipio (33. Guichon), 17. Dos Santos, 18. Ferris.

Substitutes Not Used: 4. Davies, 13. Johns, 31. Taylor.

Yellow Cards: Hogarth-Scott, Souza.

Red Cards: Nil.

-By Nikola Pozder