By Georgina Lewis 10/6/25
Above: NWS Spirit line up for their game against UNSW. Photo: Georgina Lewis
Round 14 of the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition delivered drama, quality finishes, and saw significant movement on the ladder as the race for finals intensifies. With results that swung in stoppage time and standout individual performances, every match had something on the line.
Match of the Round – Macarthur Rams 1–2 APIA Leichhardt
Lynwood Park
APIA Leichhardt continued their resurgence with a crucial 2-1 win over the Macarthur Rams in a rematch of last year’s Grand Final.
Returning to APIA colours, Sophie Hoban opened the scoring in the 9th minute after a slick through ball from Ash Brodigan. Despite Macarthur starting brightly and creating several early chances, they were continually denied by APIA keeper Sally James.
Macarthur equalised in spectacular fashion in the 67th minute, with Tea Mucenski producing a bicycle kick from a pinpoint Breier corner to level the match. But just three minutes later, chaos in the box saw Ash Crofts pounce and fire APIA back in front.
Despite late pressure from the Rams, the visitors managed the final moments expertly to seal all three points.
NWS Spirit 1–0 UNSW
Christie Park
In a tightly-contested clash between two finals hopefuls, NWS Spirit snatched a dramatic win with virtually the last kick of the game.
With both sides creating chances in the second half, it took a 95th-minute moment of brilliance to break the deadlock. Victoria Martin’s low cross found Kayla Osborn in traffic, and although UNSW cleared initially, Skye Halmarick met the bouncing ball with a sublime half-volley that kissed the post and went in.
Spirit’s win keeps them firmly in the top-four conversation, while UNSW will rue their missed opportunities.
Northern Tigers 6–2 Newcastle Jets
North Turramurra Rec Area
The Tigers roared back to form with a commanding 6-2 win over the struggling Jets.
Beth Bernardi and Haley Johnson put the hosts two up before a Josie Allan-led attack forced an own goal to give Newcastle hope. Lily McMahon restored the two-goal cushion before halftime, and Tigers ran away with it in the second half with goals from Mischa Anderson, Josie Wilson, and Charlotte Mortlock.
Aaliyah Kilroy’s tap-in made it 5-2 before Mortlock’s screamer sealed a dominant Tigers performance that pushes them back toward the top four.
Bulls FC Academy 2–0 Mt Druitt Town Rangers
Northbridge Oval
Bulls FC Academy stunned league-leaders Mt Druitt with a well-drilled 2-0 win at home, extending their unbeaten run to six matches.
Elizabeth Grey struck twice from corners—once in the 15th minute and again in the 53rd—to seal a famous win for the Bulls. Their disciplined setup and threat from set pieces proved too much for the visitors, who struggled to find rhythm and offered little in response.
Sydney University 1–2 Illawarra Stingrays
Sydney Uni Football Ground
The Stingrays extended their unbeaten run to six matches with a 2-1 away win over Sydney University, powered by a fast start.
Siobhan Edwards opened the scoring inside eight minutes after being played in by Alexia Karrys-Stahl, before captain Caitlin Cooper added a second with a thumping header from a corner.
Jaime Beaufils gave Uni a lifeline with a converted penalty in the 70th minute, but Illawarra held firm to stay second on the table.
Sydney Olympic 3–0 Gladesville Ravens
Peter Moore Field
Olympic continued their turnaround under George Beltsos, securing a confident 3-0 win over Gladesville Ravens.
Sarah Yatim opened the scoring early before Aideen Keane doubled the advantage with a slick run and finish in the second half. Alyssa Whinham, a revelation since returning from A-League Women duty, capped things off with a long-range strike in stoppage time.
It’s Olympic’s third straight clean sheet and a sign their push away from the bottom of the table is gathering momentum.
Manly United 1–1 Western Sydney Wanderers
Cromer Park
Manly United were denied a win at the death as Western Sydney Wanderers snatched a point in the final minute.
Talia Younis put the Wanderers ahead with a sharp finish in the 60th minute, and they looked on course for all three points until Ellie Kerr blasted home a thunderous half-volley from a corner in the 90th.
Manly drop points in their bid to re-enter the top four, while Wanderers will take confidence from a gritty performance away from home.
Final Thoughts
With just eight rounds to go, Round 14 reminded us just how tight the NPLW NSW season has become. APIA’s resurgence continues, Spirit find late magic, and Bulls FC Academy’s rise adds another twist in the finals race. At the other end, the Jets’ defensive woes deepen, while Olympic’s revival promises more surprises to come.
Stay tuned — the second half of the season is just heating up.
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