If you thought the Premiership was done and dusted in the National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s competition, think again after a major twist in Round 23 action.
Match of the Round: Macarthur Rams 3-0 Sydney Olympic
Macarthur Rams got back to winning ways in round 23 of the NPL NSW Women’s competition with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Sydney Olympic.
Miku Sunaga gave the home team an early lead before second half strikes via India Breier and Kelli Brown rounded off the scoring.
The impact of the victory was massive for Stephen Peters’ team as they now sit only one point behind ladder leaders APIA Leichhardt with three games to go.
Football NSW Institute 0-3 Bulls FC Academy
Bulls FC Academy kept up the pressure for a finals position with a strong 3-0 victory over the Football NSW Institute.
They opened the scoring just before the break after some fine work by Aideen Keane down the right flank, crossing into the far post where Jessica Seaman arrived, volleying her effort home.
The Bulls had the chance to double their advantage on the hour mark from the spot but Avaani Prakash had her effort saved by Tahlia Franco, only for the Institute keeper to react unsportsmanlike after the save and be shown a straight red.
Not long after Charlotte Lancaster doubled the Bulls advantage with a fantastic effort on goal from the right.
Shortly before full time, Aideen Keane rounded off the scoring, getting in between defender and keeper to poke the ball home.
Manly United 0-1 NWS Spirit
North West Sydney Spirit secured three points with a late goal on Sunday night against Manly United at Cromer Park.
Both teams had opportunities to get in front in the first half but neither was able to break the deadlock, going into the sheds at 0-0.
It took until the final minute of regulation time for the stalemate to be broken as Sophie Harding was brought down in the box and a penalty awarded.
Mary Stanic-Floody stepped up to take the penalty and finished as cooly as you like into the bottom left corner.
Illawarra Stingrays 4-3 APIA Leichhardt
APIA Leichhardt have given the Macarthur Rams a lifeline after allowing a rampant and strong finishing Illawarra Stingrays to come away from Macedonia Park with all three points having trailed at half time 3-0!
The visiting league leaders were in complete control and got the game off to the best possible start on 26 minutes as Holly McNamara took advantage of some sloppy defending.
Minutes later it was 2-0, Gisella Pipino finding McNamara in the box with an excellent delivery, the striker finishing well for her second of the evening.
It was three moments before the break after an excellent team goal, moving the ball from defence through to attack, McNamara popping up to seal her hat-trick.
With the champagne already on ice, the Stingrays had other ideas.
They came out a different outfit in the second half and made it 3-1 on the hour mark, Sakura Nojima reacting well in the box to find the bottom corner.
The experienced Michelle Carney continued the fightback with a goal of her own three minutes later after Nojima cut the ball back and the veteran slotted the ball home first time.
With five minutes remaining the Stingrays were level.
Nojima received the ball on the edge of the area before letting fly into the bottom corner of Sophie Magus’ goal.
Full of confidence and with wind in their sail, the Stingrays went on and stole the show.
The ball fell into the path of Tara Cannon who let fly first time with her left foot, beating Magus with an excellent strike.
It was a game that will etch its name into the history books of the Stingrays as possibly their greatest ever come back.
Emerging Jets 0-5 Bankstown City Lions
Bankstown City kept their finals hopes alive with a convincing 5-0 win over the Emerging Jets on Sunday night.
The visitors opened the scoring after 12 minutes as Roukayah Al Fararjeh managed to bundle the ball home beyond the Jets keeper.
It was 2-0 on 20 minutes as Skye Cassachia reacted quickest in the box following a corner to blast the ball home.
Just before half time it was 3-0 as Trudy Camilleri blasted home an effort from outside the box, the pick of the bunch.
Midway through the second half the visitors added another as Susan Phonsongkham scored a fortuitous goal to make it 4-0.
The scoring was rounded off minutes later, Phonsongkham picking the ball up on the edge of the area and placing it in the bottom corner for her second of the evening.
Gladesville Ravens 1-1 Sydney University
The Gladesville Ravens’ finals hopes took a blow on Sunday night as they were held by Sydney University at Christie Park, 1-1.
After a tight first half, the teams went into the break locked at 0-0.
The home team took the lead in the 52nd minute after a fabulous header from Alex Timms at the back post, thundering her effort into the back of the net.
Uni had to respond and they did with 30 minutes remaining.
The Ravens struggled to clear their lines, it allowed Tess Quilligan to pop up at the far post and blast the ball home.
Uni finished the match with 10 on the park as Bianca Galic was given her marching orders for a late challenge on Romina Parraguirre.
Northern Tigers 3-0 Blacktown Spartans
It was an important win for the Northern Tigers as they remained in fourth place on the ladder, dispatching the Blacktown Spartans 3-0.
The home side took the lead on 18 minutes as Claudia Cholakian scored one of the goals of the season, cutting onto her left from the right before letting rip with a stunning strike into the top corner.
They doubled their advantage in the 77th minute, this time Cholakian cut in from the left onto her right foot and blasted it beyond Sally James into the far corner of the goal.
The Northern Tigers rounded off the scoring in stoppage time as Mona Walker let fly with a powerful effort well outside the box, finding the bottom corner of Sally James’ goal.