Round 20 Preview – NPL Women’s NSW
If there is one thing far from decided in the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition, it’s the Premiership and we could possibly have some answers after round 20 action.
Northern Tigers v Western City Rangers
6:30pm, Saturday 18 July – NTRA
The Northern Tigers meet the Western City Rangers on Saturday night in the first match of the round at NTRA.
Back-to-back wins would go a long way to keeping the Northern Tigers’ finals hopes alive. Last week’s victory was brave and on the road against the team currently occupying the last finals spot, the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Josie Wilson and Olivia Cartwright both got their first goals of the season, stepping up in the biggest game of the year for their side.
The Rangers form does not look like changing any time soon, going down heavily against APIA Leichhardt last week, 5-1.
Trudy Cammilleri has been finding the back of the net of late and could be one to make the difference should the Rangers come away with something.
Macarthur Rams v Sydney University
3pm, Sunday 19 July – Lynwood Stadium
On Sunday afternoon at Lynwood Stadium, the Macarthur Rams take on Sydney University.
The Rams only have one win in their last five outings and sit in ninth place on the ladder. Safety in the top tier is all but secured and they can now turn their focus to preparing and working toward 2027.
A five minute period either side of half time cost them on Saturday and better concentration will be required at key points. Encouragingly for Vic Guzman, Marcella Santos scored a brace and they have been missing her goals this season.
Similarly to the Rams, University didn’t really turn up for their first half and were playing catch up from there on in. A better second half where they created numerous chances will be something they take into this game.
They missed a major chance last week to make a fist of a late run for finals football but now definitely cannot risk dropping any further points in that fight.
Illawarra Stingrays v NWS Spirit
3pm, Sunday 19 July – The Pond
At The Pond on Sunday afternoon, the Illawarra Stingrays face off against NWS Spirit.
Ewan Boff suffered his first defeat on Sunday as Stingrays head coach, the team falling to the league leaders Bulls FC Academy.
Their home form has improved and they will look to make The Pond a fortress and record another positive result to continue their rise up the ladder.
Coming to the south coast is a side that has only lost one game in the last two months, the in form NWS Spirit. Their only defeat came against APIA Leichhardt, one of the competition powerhouses.
Ella Abdul Massih and Skye Halmarick have been in fine goalscoring form, scoring 13 goals between them in the last 10 league games and will be the biggest threat against the Stingrays goal.
Gladesville Ravens v UNSW FC
3:10pm, Sunday 19 July – Christie Park
The Gladesville Ravens host UNSW FC on Sunday afternoon at Christie Park.
The Ravens have not scored a goal since their 6-0 thrashing of the Western City Rangers, their goalless streak stretching to three games after last weekend’s loss to Manly United.
A victory could lift the Ravens into eighth place but the task doesn’t get much harder than against the most stubborn defence in the competition and one of the strongest teams in the league.
Zoran Naumovski’s UNSW have only conceded an incredible 13 goals this season but a drop in form has seen them slide from first place to second with APIA Leichhardt in third also closing the gap.
UNSW cannot afford to drop any points here and need results to turn or face dropping further off the pace and the dream of securing a Premiership slip away.
They will also need to contend with fatigue as they look to secure their first piece of silverware with the Sapphire Cup Final on Wednesday night.
WSW v Bulls FC Academy
5pm, Sunday 12 July – Wanderers Football Park
A massive clash is set to take place at Wanderers Football Park on Sunday evening as the Western Sydney Wanderers host league leaders Bulls FC Academy.
The Wanderers only have one win in the last month and have given those chasing them hope of potentially catching them. They are still in a good position to secure finals football but a change of form would do them good.
They also need to contend with a mid-week catch up fixture which if they were to win, along with this game on Sunday, could throw them back in the hunt for the Premiership.
Victory for Bulls FC Academy will definitely eliminate one of the chasing pack in the hunt for first place.
The Bulls have not lost since round four and their intimidating attack has scored a whopping 52 goals so far this season. Impressively, they’ve shared the goals around too, 14 different goal scorers this season, Amber Luchtmeijer and Olivia Vanderlaan in double figures for Marty Garces side.
If they continue this run, it will be hard to see anyone stop them on their charge to their second successive Premiership.
Hills United v Manly United
5:30pm, Sunday 19 July – VSP
At VSP on Sunday night Hills United take on Manly United.
Hills picked up a well earnt 3-0 win away at Sydney Uni Football Ground last weekend. Libby Morris scored a brace and lead her side to victory.
The defensive effort was also to be commended and perhaps a base for Hills to build on moving forward.
Manly secured their first win after going six games without a victory, in fairness, they had only one loss in that period with 5 draws.
Over the past few seasons Tom Hopley’s team has become the draw specialist and it seems as though it could cost them finals football in 2026. A win here gives them slim hopes of still making the top four.
They will also look to etch their name on the Sapphire Cup trophy when they take part in the final on Wednesday night.
Sydney Olympic v APIA Leichhardt
5:40pm, Sunday 19 July – The Crest
The final match takes us to The Crest as Sydney Olympic host APIA Leichhardt.
Olympic only have one win in their last 5 games but have deserved more than what they’ve got in that period.
They suffered narrow defeats to Hills and Bulls while holding the league leaders to a 0-0 draw last weekend in their last three games. The issue Sam McGowan’s team has had is finding the back of the net, unable to score across those games.
Their opponents have been free scoring to say the least, 51 goals this season and scoring 18 goals in the six straight wins they have accrued. Ash Letta not only leads APIA’s scoring charts with 23 goals, but almost has double the goals of her closest challenger for the competition golden boot.
APIA’s form has thrown them right back in the Premiership chat and this difficult away trip could be key in their run home to try and snatch the trophy that slipped out of their grasp on the final day of the season in 2025.
– By Nikola Pozder
