It was a round of tight scorelines and closely fought battles in the National Premier League’s NSW Women’s competition.
NWS Spirit 0-2 Illawarra Stingrays
The Illawarra Stingrays made it consecutive wins with another victory against one of the top teams in the competition NWS Spirit.
Where was this form earlier on in the season because the Stingrays have shown they can mix it with the best.
They scored their first minutes before the break as Kaelah Austin found herself on the scoresheet.
Sakura Nojima continued her fine form for the Stingrays as they scored nine minutes after half time to secure the three points for the visitors.
Bulls FC Academy 2-3 Macarthur Rams
The Macarthur Rams required a last gasp winner to keep the pressure on APIA Leichhardt as they defeated Bulls FC Academy 3-2.
The Rams opened the game well, taking the lead via Bethany Gordon following a corner.
It was soon 2-0 for the Rams minutes later as Kelli Brown converted a spot kick following a handball in the box.
The Bulls fightback started in style with one of the best headers you’ll see this season as Charlotte Lancaster got up and the far post and rocketed the ball home.
In one of the last actions of the first half the Bulls equalised through Tamires Souza.
Lancaster again rose highest, this time her header clattering against the bar, before Souza picked up the pieces to make it 2-2.
As the game looked set to finish with a point apiece, up stepped veteran Leena Khamis.
If Lancaster’s goal was one of the best you’ll see this year, no doubt Miku Sunaga’s mid-air back heel assist is the best you’ll see in 2023 as Khamis arrived to head the ball home and steal the points.
Sydney University 3-1 Football NSW Institute
Sydney University secured another win in the latter part of the season, this time defeating Football NSW Institute 3-1.
It was the visitors though that took the lead late in the first half as Caley Tallon-Henniker put the Institute in front.
10 minutes into the second half though, Taren King popped up to equalise for Uni.
An own goal then had the home team in front before Jaime Beaufils secured the victory for Uni with a late goal.
APIA Leichhardt 3-1 Gladesville Ravens
The league leaders APIA Leichhardt survived an early scare to come away with all three points against the Gladesville Ravens on Sunday afternoon.
After only 60 seconds, Siobhan Edwards snuck in behind the APIA defence before beating Sophie Magus to the ball to place it home into an empty net.
APIA responded through Holly McNamara after some fine work by Sophie Hoban, McNamara lifting the ball into the top corner with a well measured strike.
What the Ravens did in the first minute, APIA captain Rhianna Pollicina did in the final minute of the first half with a well taken goal.
Ash Crofts rounded off the scoring and got herself back on the scoresheet after a dry spell late on, finding herself in the right place at the right time at the far post to poke the ball home following a corner.
Blacktown Spartans 3-0 Emerging Jets
Blacktown Spartans will come into the final two rounds full of confidence after a convincing 3-0 win over the Emerging Jets.
They took the lead just after the half hour mark as a long distance shot from Abbey Lemon wasn’t dealt with by the Jets keeper, somehow squirming over the line for 1-0.
Another goalkeeping error allowed Christa Oliva to steal in and double the Spartans advantage with 20 minutes remaining.
Emily Roach then made it 3-0 moments later with a well taken strike to round out the scoring at Blacktown Football Park.
Sydney Olympic 0-0 Manly United
Sydney Olympic were held by Manly United at Peter Moore Field in a tight game on Sunday afternoon.
Neither team was able to create a clear cut opportunity in the first half with the teams going into half time at 0-0.
Lucy Johnson then had a good chance for Olympic with 20 minutes to go but her effort was well saved.
Manly thought they won it in stoppage time through substitute Sienna Dale, only for Courtney Newbon to pull off an incredible save.
Manly kept the pressure on their rivals but were unable to pinch it late on.