Round 23 Review – NPL Women’s NSW
Round 23 of the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition delivered its fair share of surprise results, with the race for the Premiership remaining close for another week.
Read on for our full breakdown of the weekend’s action.
Match of the Round – Macarthur Rams 0-1 UNSW FC at Lynwood Park
UNSW FC snapped a six-match winless run with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Macarthur Rams at Lynwood Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Rams made UNSW work for all three points, but Ava Collins’ first-half header proved enough to secure the result and keep the Students firmly in the Premiership race.
Click here to view the full report.
NWS Spirit 0-2 Western Sydney Wanderers at Christie Park
Round 23 opened with NWS Spirit hosting Western Sydney Wanderers in an intriguing clash at Christie Park.
The Wanderers opened the scoring in the 24th minute when Savannah Murray powered a header home from a corner.
Mia Nataly then doubled her side’s lead in the 63rd minute, ultimately securing all three points after latching onto a cross and squeezing her effort in at the near post despite the best efforts of Tiahna Robertson.
Bulls FC Academy 1-1 Sydney University at Northbridge Oval
Bulls FC Academy entered the weekend determined to solidify their run towards the Premiership, while Sydney University arrived at Northbridge Oval eager to disrupt the home side’s momentum.
After the two sides went into half-time locked at 0-0, Sydney Uni broke the deadlock through a brilliant corner routine, with Sarah Farrow rifling the ball home from close range.
The Bulls responded in the 64th minute when Sarah Hunter produced a sumptuous strike from range, curling the ball into the top-left corner to make it 1-1.
The match ultimately finished level, ensuring the Premiership race remains highly competitive.
APIA Leichhardt 4-2 Gladesville Ravens at Lambert Park
With only a few matchweeks remaining, APIA Leichhardt remain focused on their Premiership push, beginning with their clash against Gladesville Ravens at Lambert Park.
Leena Khamis got the Ravens off to a positive start in the 21st minute with a well-taken chip.
APIA then turned the game around through a Talia Kapetanellis double, with the first coming in the 33rd minute after the Ravens backline coughed up possession before Kapetanellis added another with a 38th-minute volley from the edge of the box.
Morgan Roberts produced a brilliant equaliser for the Ravens in first-half stoppage time, with her cross finding its way over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
APIA dominated the second half despite the Ravens’ best efforts, with Ashlie Letta scoring twice.
The striker first followed up after the goalkeeper saved her initial effort in the 47th minute before producing a lethal penalty into the top-right corner in the 59th minute to secure a 4-2 victory.
Manly United 3-0 Illawarra Stingrays at Cromer Park
A mixed run of form has seen Manly United fall out of finals contention, while Illawarra Stingrays arrived at Cromer Park looking to finish their season on a high.
Sienna Dale produced an outstanding individual goal to give United the lead in the 29th minute, dribbling from halfway before storming into the box and side-footing her effort into the back of the net.
Chloe O’Brien was then given the simplest of tasks when the Stingrays goalkeeper played the ball directly to the Manly No. 7, who calmly finished from range to make it 2-0 in first-half stoppage time.
Manly’s third and final goal came through India Horsley, who found herself in plenty of space after receiving the ball from a short corner before burying a spectacular finish to secure all three points for the home side.
Hills United 3-0 Western City Rangers at Valentine Sports Park
Hills United have impressed since their promotion to the NPL Women’s, while Western City Rangers have been unable to replicate their impressive debut campaign in 2025, with relegation now all but guaranteed.
Neve Burns fired the home side ahead in the 28th minute after racing to the back post to apply the finishing touch to a precise ball across the box.
Erin Tavares then made it 2-0 for United with a composed strike after being found in space behind the Rangers’ backline.
Tavares completed her brace in the 53rd minute with another classy finish to confirm a comprehensive 3-0 victory for Hills United.
Sydney Olympic 1-2 Northern Tigers at The Crest
Round 23 concluded at The Crest, where Sydney Olympic hosted Northern Tigers.
Tanaye Morris gave the visitors the lead in the 39th minute after stealing the ball from the goalkeeper before calmly tucking her effort home from a tight angle to make it 1-0.
Sydney Olympic responded in the second half, with Morgan Witz producing a stellar equaliser in the 68th minute after cutting inside and smashing the ball into the back of the net.
The Tigers restored their lead just a minute later, with Lily McMahon producing a superb chip to make it 2-1.
Northern Tigers held firm through the closing stages to secure all three points.
Words by Matthew Badrov
