Round 24 Review – NPL Women’s NSW

The fight at the top of the ladder is heating up, with Round 24 of the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition delivering plenty of action across the weekend.

Read on for our full breakdown of the round’s results.

Match of the Round – Western Sydney Wanderers 1-0 Sydney University at Wanderers Football Park

Western Sydney Wanderers did it the hard way but made it four straight wins with a 1-0 victory over Sydney University at Wanderers Football Park on Sunday evening.

A Nikkita Fazzari strike early in the second half proved to be the difference between the two sides, despite an impressive performance from Sydney Uni, who could feel unfortunate to leave without something to show for their efforts.

Click here to view the full report.

UNSW 1-0 NWS Spirit at The Village Green

The round’s action kicked off at The Village Green, where hosts UNSW welcomed NWS Spirit with their Premiership aspirations on the line.

A closely fought first half saw the two sides head into the break at 0-0, with limited chances shared between them.

Ava Collins eventually broke the deadlock after Angelique Hristodoulou found her at the back post. The UNSW attacker beat her defender before confidently burying her strike at the near post in the 79th minute.

The goal ultimately secured UNSW three important points in a 1-0 victory.

Northern Tigers 1-1 Macarthur Rams at North Turramurra Recreation Area

Saturday’s action continued with Northern Tigers meeting Macarthur Rams at the North Turramurra Recreation Area.

A terrific header from Amalia Plummer sent the Rams 1-0 up in the 34th minute with their first shot on goal, leaving the Tigers with a real challenge to overcome the visitors’ resilience.

With time running out, the Tigers were awarded a penalty after Emily Visser was brought down inside the box.

Lily McMahon stepped up and dispatched the resulting spot-kick into the bottom-left corner, securing a late 1-1 draw.

Illawarra Stingrays 1-1 APIA Leichhardt at The Pond

Sunday’s action began with the out-of-form Illawarra Stingrays facing an APIA Leichhardt side looking to keep their slim Premiership hopes alive.

A corner created the opportunity for the Stingrays to take the lead in the 18th minute, with Ruby Egan-Brown tapping home from close range to put her side 1-0 ahead.

Rasamee Phonsongkham eventually brought the two sides level in the 76th minute, ensuring the Stingrays and APIA shared the points in a 1-1 draw at The Pond.

Gladesville Ravens 0-4 Hills United at Christie Park

Two sides sitting in the middle of the ladder met at Christie Park, with Hills United making the trip to face Gladesville Ravens.

Libby Morris’ free-kick from the edge of the box forced a brilliant save from Eliza Coleman, but the goalkeeper was unable to prevent Jessica Garrett from opening the scoring for United in the 20th minute.

Morris produced another moment of magic for United’s second goal, with her cross from the left wing floating over Coleman and into the back of the net.

A terrific run and finish from Aya Seino ensured United went into the half-time break three goals to the good.

Garrett then secured her brace in the 60th minute, putting away a tidy header from a corner at the near post.

A strong showing from Hills United was ultimately rewarded with a comprehensive 4-0 victory.

Manly United 0-1 Bulls FC Academy at Cromer Park

Bulls FC Academy entered Round 24 hoping to widen the gap between themselves and their Premiership rivals, but they would have to get past an in-form Manly United side.

The Bulls took the lead on the stroke of half-time when Elizabeth Barwick-Grey drifted away from her defender and buried a thumping header after meeting a brilliant free-kick into the box.

Barwick-Grey’s goal ultimately proved enough for the visitors to claim all three points in a 1-0 victory and move back to the top of the table above UNSW.

Western City Rangers 1-3 Sydney Olympic at Popondetta Park

With their relegation confirmed last time out, Western City Rangers would have wanted to earn some pride in their matchup against Sydney Olympic.

Catalina Wyrzynski thought she had put the Rangers 1-0 up when her well-taken volley was blocked by an Olympic defender, but Summer Groarke was on hand to fire in the follow-up and give the hosts the lead in the 13th minute.

Giuliana Nicholas showed her determination to bring Olympic back into the match when her initial strike was saved, before the attacker chased down the loose ball and made it 1-1 in the 37th minute.

An errant back pass then allowed Tiana Petkovski the space to bypass the goalkeeper and steady herself before rifling her strike past the defenders on the line and into an empty net for 2-1 in the 61st minute.

Petkovski sealed her brace in the 78th minute after being put in behind the Rangers backline and finishing confidently past the goalkeeper to secure a 3-1 victory for Olympic.

Words by Matthew Badrov