Round 2 Review – NPL Women’s NSW

The surprises just keep on coming in the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition, and we’re only two rounds into the season. Round 2 delivered its fair share of spectacular goals, upset results and exciting attacking football – read on for our full wrap-up of the weekend that was.   

Match of the Round – Western City Rangers 5-1 NWS Spirit at Popondetta Park

Western City Rangers FC produced a dominant attacking display to claim their first win of the season, thrashing NWS Spirit FC 5–1 at Popondetta Park on Sunday afternoon. The emphatic result also marked a milestone moment for Rangers coach Milan Jovanovic, who celebrated his maiden victory in charge as his side delivered an energetic and clinical performance from start to finish.

Check out the full report here.

Northern Tigers 0-2 Illawarra Stingrays at North Turramurra Recreational Area

Back-to-back home games to start the season will have had the Northern Tigers raring to go ahead of the Illawarra Stingrays’ visit to North Turramurra Recreational Area. An even first half played out between the two teams, with chances evenly shared and plenty of attacking play characterising the opening forty-five. The second half continued the stalemate, with all signs pointing to a crucial piece of magic play breaking the deadlock. That moment would arrive when Annaliese Grove answered a call for a pass in behind by Ruby Egan Brown, which the forward promptly squared in the box for substitute Lana Elkordi to easily finish in the 66^th minute. A brilliant sequence of passes ultimately opened up the opportunity for Elkordi to double her side’s lead with a rocketed strike that – despite a reflexive stop from keeper Olivia Riddel – found its way in for 2-0 in the 78^th minute, securing a hard-earned three points for the Stingrays.

APIA Leichhardt 2-0 Hills United at Lambert Park

APIA Leichhardt began their season with a win in Round 1 and will be determined to collect the three points up against newly-promoted Hills United at Lambert Park. The first half saw United keeping APIA’s stacked frontline at bay whilst carving out a few opportunities of their own to put the home side on the back foot. However, following the half-time break, APIA were intent on taking control of the game and conjured up the opener in the 52^nd minute when Ashlee Brodigan dropped inside to receive the ball and turned to setup Ashlie Letta for a strike that deflected off of a United defender and looped over Kyara O’Brien and in for 1-0. A second for APIA in the 78^th minute capped off a strong second half performance for the side, with Brodigan cleverly setting up Lexi Modena for a galloping run that the substitute transformed into a golden opportunity for Letta to finish at close range, ensuring a 2-0 win for her side in the process.

Bulls FC Academy 2-1 Macarthur Rams at Valentine Sports Park

As last year’s Championship winners, Bulls FC Academy will have entered Round 2 eager to secure a win after a draw last time out. Standing in their way is a Macarthur Rams side buoyed by a refresh in the off-season after an underwhelming 2025 season. The goalscoring kicked-off in the 18^th minute in a miraculous fashion when a cross from the right wing duped Rams goalkeeper Isabella Sollecito and landed at the feet of a defender in a dangerous situation, which lurking Bulls striker Olivia Vanderlaan took on and chipped into the empty net for 1-0. Sollecito was unfortunately caught out again in the 34^th minute when a cross from the left wing was dropped into the path of Daniella Naeimi, who had no trouble making it 2-0 for the Bulls. A quality header from Sakura Nojima at a corner gave the Rams a way back into the match in the 46+1^st minute, however they were ultimately unable to capitalise and find another goal, leading to the Bulls winning 2-1.

Gladesville Ravens 1-4 Sydney University at Christie Park

Defeats for both the Gladesville Ravens and Sydney University in Round 1 would have left both sides reeling and ready to kickstart their seasons in a clash at Christie Park. A sensational solo goal from Sydney Uni forward Poppy Tay kickstarted a terrific day out for the visitors, with the No. 9 holding off her defender and storming up the field before unleashing a quality strike across goal for 1-0 in the 23^rd minute. Sydney Uni doubled their lead in the 35^th minute when a precise corner was met by Tahliya Sambrook at the back post for a lethal header. Tay again proved to be critical to her side’s attacking fortunes, this time drawing her defender to the goal line and skillfully bypassing her to setup Isabella Raad for an emphatic strike, leading the visitors to being 3-0 up in the 44^th minute. The Ravens simply had to find a goal and were rewarded for their efforts in the 57^th minute when Gisela Pipino put the finishing touch on a looping cross directed toward the Sydney Uni goal mouth. Despite this, Sydney Uni made it 4-1 in the 78^th minute through Tay’s sheer resolve to create an opportunity for her side, which led to substitute Ellen Hughes tapping the ball in from close range and guaranteeing the three points for the away side.

Sydney Olympic 0-3 Manly United at The Crest

A debut for Sydney Olympic at their new home ground, The Crest, would have had the side determined to impress in a clash against a strong Manly United team. Manly proved to be a significant challenge for Olympic, with the home side struggling to create chances throughout the first half whilst the visitors flourished. The arrival of Brinley Gentle off the bench sparked the goals for Manly after a challenge inside the box led to a penalty, which Gentle proceeded to calmly roll into the back of the net in the 82^nd minute. A quintessential poacher’s finish unlocked Manly’s second of the evening, with Gentle picking up a loose touch from her teammate and promptly burying with aplomb to make it 2-0 in the 88^th minute. Gentle was through on goal soon after the restart and showed little hesitation in slipping the ball underneath the goalkeeper to make it 3-0 and earn herself a hattrick in the 89^th minute and conclude a terrific away win from the visitors.

UNSW 2-2 Western Sydney Wanderers at The Village Green

The final match of Round 2 brought fans to The Village Green, where UNSW would have hoped to earn back-to-back wins, however they will have known not to underestimate a Western Sydney Wanderers who surprised the Illawarra Stingrays in Round 1. A burst of speed from Alyssa McKenzie opened up the chance for the pacey winger to setup an unmarked Mia Nataly, who confidently headed home to give the Wanderers a 1-0 lead in the 36^th minute. UNSW then hit back on the stroke of half-time, with Aya Yamahata on hand to equalise for her side by reacting well and sliding in to make it 1-1 in the 48+3^rd minute. UNSW forward Demi Koulizakis pushed her side ahead in the 63^rd minute after getting on the end of a corner directed toward the back post. The Wanderers had one more trick up their sleeve however, with McKenzie capping off a superb performance by arriving late at the back post and directing the ball in for 2-2 in the 89^th minute.

-By Matthew Badrov