Round 3 Preview – NPL Women’s NSW
Only one team remains with a 100% record in the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition after two rounds, with many thrills and spills to come in round 3.
Manly United v Northern Tigers
7:30pm, Friday 20 March – Cromer Park
The action kicks off on Friday night at Cromer Park in a North Sydney derby as Manly United host the Northern Tigers.
An incredible late show by Manly and super-sub Brinley Gentle secured Manly’s first three points of the new campaign. They will play their first home game of the season in round three and will look to take another three points in front of what will no doubt be a boisterous crowd.
After a tight round one win, the Tigers were well beaten by the Illawarra Stingrays on Saturday at home. This will be a good test for Finn Geraghty and his side and, despite being early, a good indication of what this season could bring.
NWS Spirit v Bulls FC Academy
3pm, Saturday 21 March – Christie Park
Saturday action kicks off at Christie Park at 3pm as NWS Spirit take on the Champions Bulls FC Academy.
An incredibly tough start to the season for NWS Spirit, sitting in bottom place with two defeats and 11 goals conceded. Things will need to change quickly otherwise Spirit are in for a very long season.
Going forward, the side has showed promise; it’s defensively where there are serious issues for Spirit. A solid start to 2026 for Marty Garces’ side, a win and a draw to sit in third after a couple games. After seeing what has happened to Spirit in the opening two games, Garces will look to ensure his side is focused on the job at hand.
UNSW v Illawarra Stingrays
5:00pm, Saturday 21 March – The Village Green
UNSW are at home on Saturday afternoon at The Village Green as they host the Illawarra Stingrays.
UNSW had to settle for a draw last weekend against WSW after leading in that one till late on in the game. They will expect an immediate bounce back this week and continue their pursuit of top spot.
After a shock day one defeat, the Stingrays came away with all three points in North Turramurra last weekend. Carrying that momentum against one of the competition favourites will be important on Saturday night.
APIA Leichhardt v Macarthur Rams
4:50pm, Sunday 22 March – Lambert Park
It is the 2024 grand final rematch at Lambert Park as APIA Leichhardt take on the Macarthur Rams. The only team with a 100% win rate after two rounds in the top tier competition.
Ash Letta has started the season on fire, scoring three goals in her opening two games and will look to continue that form. Just one point for the Rams after two games, and things don’t get any tougher for them on this difficult away trip. Vic Guzman’s side has had a difficult start to the campaign and taking any points here would be very positive.
Western City Rangers v Gladesville Ravens
5pm, Sunday 22 March – Popondetta Park
Western City Rangers will meet the Gladesville Ravens on Sunday evening at Popondetta Park. A dominant performance for the Rangers last week to score win number one this season.
Trudy Camilleri and Roukayah Al Fararjeh looked very good in link up play and could be key to adding further points for Milan Jovanovic’s side. A start that the Ravens did not count on to begin the new season. They are one of only two teams who do not have any points to their name and will need that to change soon before the pressure starts to mount.
Hills United v WSW
5:30pm, Sunday 22 March – VSP
At Valentine Sports Park on Sunday night, Hills United host the Western Sydney Wanderers. After facing off against last season’s top two teams in the opening two rounds, the newly promoted Hills could not have had a tougher start to the season.
They will look to secure their first win of the season against the Wanderers on Sunday. In saying that, the WSW will be far from pushovers after their start to the season, sitting in fourth place with a win and a draw. It will be the Wanderers’ third straight away game as well, and coming out of these opening three games without a defeat would be an incredible result for Jamie Dib’s side.
Sydney Olympic v Sydney University
5:40pm, Sunday 22 March – The Crest
Sydney Olympic welcome Sydney University to The Crest on Sunday in the final match of round three.
Olympic have split it so far this season, a big win and a heavy loss to start the new campaign. Morgan Witz looks an excellent signing and will be a major part of the Olympic puzzle this season and any success they have.
Many expected Sydney Uni to struggle this season, but what they’ve shown in the opening rounds is the complete opposite. After a tight defeat to APIA in round one, they beat the Ravens in style and enter this game full of confidence.
– By Nikola Pozder
