Round 7 Review – NPL Women’s NSW
The ladder is beginning to take shape in the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW, with Round 7 reaffirming the level needed to reach the competition’s top four.
Have a read of our full round wrap-up below.
Match of the Round – UNSW FC 1-0 Gladesville Ravens (The Village Green) – Full Match Report and Highlights
UNSW FC’s near-perfect start to the NPL Women’s NSW season continued in impressive fashion on Sunday evening, as they edged out the Gladesville Ravens 1-0 at The Village Green in a high-quality Match of the Round clash.
Once again, it was the in-form Chloe Smith who proved decisive, netting her fourth goal in just three matches. Her strike ensured UNSW maintained their position at the top end of the table and set up a mouth-watering showdown with APIA Leichhardt next week.
NWS Spirit 0-2 Illawarra Stingrays (Christie Park)
Two sides in need of a result met at Christie Park, with NWS Spirit sitting at the foot of the ladder and Illawarra Stingrays searching for consistency.
Ruby Egan-Brown opened the scoring in the 34th minute after a sharp run down the left saw her win a penalty, which she calmly converted into the bottom right corner.
The Stingrays backed up their strong first half by doubling their lead in the 67th minute, as Jasmine Limon rose well to head home from a corner. That proved enough to secure a solid 2-0 away victory.
APIA Leichhardt 2-0 Sydney Olympic (Lambert Park)
Competition leaders APIA Leichhardt continued their strong form with a 2-0 win over Sydney Olympic at Lambert Park.
APIA set the tone early, with Talia Kapetanellis opening the scoring in the 10th minute, guiding a header home from a corner at the near post.
The hosts controlled much of the contest and extended their lead in the 55th minute, when Mia Golding delivered a low cross that Alyssa Rose finished clinically. APIA then managed the game well to see out another professional victory.
Bulls FC Academy 1-1 Western Sydney Wanderers (Northbridge Oval)
Two in-form sides shared the spoils in an entertaining 1-1 draw at Northbridge Oval.
The Western Sydney Wanderers applied sustained pressure early and were rewarded when Mia Nataly found the back of the net with a composed finish across goal.
Bulls FC Academy responded late, with Gemma Ferris rising unmarked at the back post to head home in the 78th minute and secure a deserved point in a closely contested encounter.
Manly United 2-0 Hills United (Cromer Park)
Manly United claimed a valuable 2-0 win over Hills United at Cromer Park.
After controlling much of the first half without reward, Manly eventually broke through in the 73rd minute. Nicole Stuart won possession before driving into the box and finishing neatly at the near post.
Brinley Gentle sealed the result in stoppage time with a well-taken strike from outside the area, ensuring all three points for the home side.
Sydney University 3-1 Macarthur Rams (Sydney University Football Ground)
Sydney University secured a 3-1 win over Macarthur Rams in an entertaining clash.
The breakthrough came in the 35th minute when Poppy Tay capitalised on a loose ball in the box following a dangerous cross from Asha Sutton.
The pair combined again soon after, this time with Tay turning provider for Sutton to make it 2-0. Sydney Uni continued to find success down the right flank, and Sutton grabbed her second in the 64th minute after being set up by Alice Thompson.
Macarthur Rams pulled one back late through Sakura Nojima, but it was little more than a consolation as Sydney Uni secured the win.
Western City Rangers 0-1 Northern Tigers (Popondetta Park)
Northern Tigers edged out Western City Rangers 1-0 in a tightly contested match at Popondetta Park.
Both sides created chances in an end-to-end first half, but the game always felt destined to be decided by a single moment.
That moment arrived in the 70th minute, when Ellie Head met a corner and looped her header over the goalkeeper and into the net, sealing a crucial win for the Tigers.
By Matthew Badrov
