The Bulls FC Academy 3-2 win over APIA Leichhardt wasn’t just about bragging rights for the grand final rematch.
As satisfying as that must have been, heading into the round nine match the Bulls were also eager to disrupt their opponents’ strong start to the campaign for the 2026 National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition.
However, their start to the match wasn’t ideal, with the visitors scoring inside the first 10 minutes to grab a 1-0 lead.
The Bulls paid the price for a defensive lapse which enabled APIA to score an easy goal.
Amber Luchtmeijer equalised for Bulls FC in the 32nd minute after Jynaya Dos Santos played a superb pass into Petria Phillips, whose initial strike was saved before Luchtmeijer buried the rebound.
Phillips was unstoppable in the lead-up to the Bulls’ second goal, beating two defenders before rifling her strike in from close range.
A stunning free-kick from Gemma Ferris forced an outstanding save from Jacinta Gulabovski, with Elizabeth Barwick-Grey reacting quickest to the loose ball to score the follow-up in the 61st minute.
Kapetanellis then put the ball on a platter for Letta to finish at the back post just minutes later. However, the Bulls were able to hold on to their 3-2 lead.
Back in Campbelltown, the Macarthur Rams were edged 3-2 by Gladesville Ravens in their round nine match.
Two teams looking to climb the ladder faced off at Lynwood Park on Sunday, with ninth-placed Rams hosting the Ravens in 12th.
A Leena Khamis double, a penalty and a composed one-on-one finish, had the Ravens flying either side of half-time.
A lovely dipping strike from Marcella Santos gave the Rams a way back into the game in the 58th minute, before Khamis set up Hannah McNulty for a tidy finish across goal to make it 3-1 in the 84th minute.
A 90+6th-minute goal from Summer Smith proved too little, too late, as the Ravens ultimately held on for a 3-2 win – and another loss for the Rams.