APIA Leichhardt secured the National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s Premiership in the final round of competition.
Bulls FC Academy secured the last finals spot on Sunday, while the Blacktown Spartans came from behind to confirm their survival in the top tier.
Match of the Round: APIA Leichhardt 7-1 Emerging Jets
APIA Leichhardt have been crowned National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s Premiers after a resounding 7-1 victory over the Emerging Jets at Lambert Park on Sunday night.
Ash Crofts also claimed the individual accolade of the league’s Golden Boot with a hat-trick against the Jets, captain Rhianna Pollicina had a brace while Sophie Hoban and Isabella Coco-Di Sipio had a goal each.
Bulls FC Academy 2-1 NWS Spirit
Jaime Gomez’s Bulls FC Academy knew they needed to win on Sunday to play finals football and they did just that against NWS Spirit.
The home side had the lead inside the first 10 minutes as Jessica Seaman took advantage of a spilled ball by Katie Offer in the Spirit goal to tap the ball home.
It was two soon after as Peta Trimis combined with Avaani Prakash before the speedster Trimis showed fine technique to get beyond her defender and put away the rebound after her initial effort was saved by Offer.
Spirit was awarded a penalty late in the piece as Mary Stanic Floody dispatched her spot kick with the final kick of the game.
Bankstown City Lions 0-0 Football NSW Institute
Bankstown City Lions and Football NSW Institute rounded off the season in a stalemate at Jensen Park on Sunday.
There were tears at Sefton as news came in from the result at Cromer Park which consigned Bankstown to relegation from the top tier.
With much of their concentration placed on the way things were turning out at Manly, neither side were able to break the deadlock after the first 45.
It was much the same in the second period as the game ticked through to the 90 at 0-0.
Sydney University 1-2 Macarthur Rams
The Macarthur Rams did what they needed to and took all three points against Sydney University but it was not enough for the Premiership.
Just after the hour mark the home team had the lead, Talia Kapetanellis dropping the ball for Ava Pritchard who battled to poke the ball home.
From the kick off though, the Rams were level.
Mel Caceres pinched the ball from the Uni defence before feeding in Kelli Brown who placed her effort into the top corner.
In the 89th minute the Rams secured the win as an unselfish Leena Khamis played in Brown who had her second with the simplest of finishes.
Illawarra Stingrays 3-1 Sydney Olympic
At Macedonia Park, the Illawarra Stingrays finished their season in the best possible way with a 3-1 win over Sydney Olympic.
It was Olympic who took the lead though after only two minutes, Brianna Oliverio winning the ball on the edge of the area before finding the finish.
Moments before half time the Stingrays well level after an excellent head by Bronte Pyke at the back post following a corner.
Stingrays captain and veteran Michelle Carney then made it 2-1, reacting quickest in the box to put the home side in front.
The points were secure with 15 minutes remaining as Sakura Nojima finished into the bottom corner with a well struck effort into the bottom corner.
Manly United 2-3 Blacktown Spartans
There were scenes of jubilation at Cromer Park on Sunday as the Blacktown Spartans secured survival in the top tier with an incredible turnaround victory against Manly United.
United had the lead after 18 minutes as Emily Minett reacted quickest in the box after a corner wasn’t dealt with by the Spartans.
Less than 60 seconds later their lead was doubled as Daisy Arrowsmith showed great composure to bury her effort.
The goals kept coming, only this time it was Blacktown’s turn to score.
Young gun Amber Luchtmeijer ran onto a through ball, rounded Nicole Simonsen and tapped the ball home.
Minutes later and the Spartans were level with the best strike the competition had seen this season.
Christa Oliva let fly on the volley with her first touch, blasting the ball over Simonsen to equalise for the Spartans in remarkable style.
The teams went into half time locked at 2-2 and with this result, the Spartans were going down.
But the hero and saviour of Blacktown stepped up again as Luchtmeijer got onto the end of an Alyssa Ng-Saad pass to place the ball beyond Simonsen to the absolute elation of everyone involved with the Spartans.
The young Spartans held on and did enough to dramatically rescue their status in the NPL competition.
Gladesville Ravens 0-1 Northern Tigers
At Christie Park the Northern Tigers finished their league season with victory as they defeated the Gladesville Ravens 1-0.
It was a victory that did not mean much as the Tigers finished the season in fifth place, missing out on finals football.
The two teams could not be separated in the first period as they went into the sheds locked at 0-0.
Just before the hour mark the Tigers had the lead as Ash Brodigan ran onto a long ball, lifting the ball over the keeper and into the goal.
It was enough for the victory for the Tigers who turn their attention to the Sapphire Cup final on Sunday.