Round 21 Preview – NPL Women’s NSW
Bulls FC Academy could go one step closer to back to back Premierships in the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition after round 21 action, while depending on results, the last place for finals football could still be up for grabs.
NWS Spirit FC v Hills United
3pm, Saturday 25 July – Christie Park
NWS Spirit take on Hills United in the first match of round 21 action at Christie Park on Saturday afternoon.
The home side have the opportunity to find themselves level on points with their opponents should they come away with the victory.
They were held on a difficult away trip last week against the Illawarra Stingrays but have only lost once since the end of May.
Hills have only managed back-to-back wins once this season and were denied doing that for a second time on Sunday when they lost at home to Manly United.
Hills’ first season in the top tier has been successful and they will attempt to sneak their way into the top half of the season before the campaign comes to a close.
UNSW FC v APIA Leichhardt FC
5pm, Saturday 25 July – The Village Green
A real battle beckons at The Village Green on Saturday evening as UNSW FC take on APIA Leichhardt.
As many had suspected, this game was always going to have an impact on the Premiership. The loser will more or less be out of the running to claim first place and a draw would probably work against both teams as well.
UNSW has seen a drop of form of late, just one win in their last 5 league games has seen Bulls FC Academy start creating a gap at the top of the table.
Zoran Naumovski’s side dropped points again on Sunday, perhaps a little sluggish following their maiden Sapphire Cup victory in an energy zapping win over Manly United mid-week.
APIA on the other hand missed the chance to go second, losing to Sydney Olympic in a game where they lead 1-0 thanks to Talia Kapetanelis.
If Brad Attard’s team does not pick up three points here, chances of the Premiership coming to Lambert Park will come to an end.
Bulls FC Academy v Gladesville Ravens
2:50pm, Sunday 26 July – Northbridge Oval
At Northbridge Oval on Sunday afternoon, Bulls FC Academy open up the action as they host the Gladesville Ravens.
The Bulls are edging closer and closer to securing back-to-back Premierships after extending their lead at the top of the table following an entertaining 5-3 win over the WSW. Marti Garces’ side showed their quality in that one, five different players getting on the scoresheet.
Last season’s double winners are yet to taste defeat at Northbridge Oval this year and will look to continue that trend on Sunday.
The Ravens are a tricky opponent, one that on their day could definitely cause issues for the league leaders.
Morgan Roberts was the star last weekend as they fought back twice against Sapphire Cup Champions UNSW FC to secure a 2-2 draw. There is so much quality across this Ravens side, don’t be surprised if they are able to shock their opponents.
Macarthur Rams v Sydney Olympic
6pm, Saturday 25 July – Lambert Park
At Lynwood Park on Sunday afternoon, the Macarthur Rams take on Sydney Olympic.
The Rams were in cruise control last week, two goals to the good at the break and moving toward three points, only to collapse in the second half and have to settle for a point.
Encouragingly, Tea Mucenski got on the scoresheet for the Rams, the first time in three months and if she is firing, the home side will be even more dangerous.
Olympic can move ahead of the Rams on the ladder if they can pick up three points in this one. They defeated APIA Leichhardt over the weekend in a shock result, showing the quality they possess within their squad.
Morgan Witz scored her 10th goal of the season last weekend and has been key to any of Olympic’s success’ this season.
Western City Rangers v Illawarra Stingrays
5pm, Sunday 26 July – Popondetta Park
The Illawarra Stingrays travel to take on the Wester City Rangers at Popondetta Park on Sunday evening.
Relegation is starting to look more and more likely for the Rangers this season, after a blistering 2025, everything has come crashing down this year. They have only picked up two points since their round 4 win against Sydney University and sit bottom of the league ladder and club championship.
If they are to make a late run at survival, it needs to happen now.
The Stingrays have improved in the second half of the season and are slowly reeling in the teams above them on the ladder.
They drew with a strong NWS Spirit side last weekend as super star Chloe Middleton scored her first of the season. The south coast side will be confident they can go to Popondetta and take home all three points this weekend.
Sydney University SFC v Northern Tigers
5pm, Sunday 26 July – Sydney Uni Football Ground
Sydney University take on the Northern Tigers on Sunday night at Sydney Uni Football Ground.
This game is massive in context, with the opportunity to re-ignite one of these two teams’ finals hopes with five games to go.
Uni will be cursing their drop in form, only one win in the last three months has seen them drop well off the pace of finals football.
They’ve shown throughout the season that they have the quality to beat anyone on the ir day and need the likes of Asha Sutton and Poppy Tay to step up.
Only one loss in their last six outings and the Tigers have given themselves a slim chance of playing finals football.
They to will be frustrated with their early season inconsistencies but with the class of players like Charlotte Mortlock and Bethany Gordon, they will be confident they can give the run home a proper sprint.
Manly United v Western Sydney Wanderers
5pm, Sunday 26 July – Cromer Park
Another big game in this round, this one takes us to Cromer Park as Manly United face the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Manly United could do not just themselves a favour, but also the Northern Tigers and Sydney University if they are able to defeat the Western Sydney Wanderers as they will open the race for finals football with five games to go.
Manly have only lost once in their last five and come into this one in solid form. They gave an excellent showing of themselves in the Sapphire Cup final and it feels as though confidence is high within Tom Hopley’s camp.
After an excellent start to the season, it has been freefall for the Wanderers over the last month. Three straight losses have erased their chances of a Premiership tilt and instead, now need to ensure they keep a distance with the chasing pack for the last finals spot.
– By Nikola Pozder
