Both Macarthur teams competing in the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition suffered losses in Round 6.
Bulls FC Academy went down 2-1 in a tough encounter with NWS Spirit, while 2024 premiers, Macarthur Rams copped one of their biggest losses in years, a 6-1 mauling at the hands of Northern Tigers.
Spirit and the Bulls would kick off the weekend’s proceedings in the early Saturday afternoon slot, with both teams eager to get the three points to push their way up the NPLW ladder.
Spirit have been competitive this year will have looked to build consistency in their matchup with the Bulls, however the away side will have been full of confidence heading to Christie Park after defeating Sydney University last time out.
After heading into the halftime break at 0-0, Spirit came out flying in the second half with Skye Halmarick opening the scoring in the 47th minute by swiftly turning her defender on the edge of the box and unleashing a beautifully placed strike into the top left corner.
However, the Bulls proved to be similarly determined coming out of the sheds at halftime, and would equalise five minutes later when Ashlee Brodigan lined up a blistering finish off of a deflected clearance that rocketed into the top right corner of the net.
Halmarick would eventually come away from the match with a brace and the winner by meeting a well-take corner with a quality run and header.
Across at North Turramurra Recreational Area the Northern Tigers put on an exhibition in front of the home fans, decimating the Macarthur Rams 6-1 on Saturday evening (pictured).
The Tigers have plenty to be excited about with the season they are experiencing so far, having gone unbeaten in their opening five matches to arrive at Round 6 the favourites against last year’s Championship-winning Rams.
The Rams however have undeniable quality and were looking to the previous weekend’s standout in their win over the Jets, Sakura Nojima, for more magic.
The visitors did brilliantly to open the scoring in the 5th minute with a swift end-to-end counterattack that saw Halle Callow resiliently keep the ball down the wing before getting a last-ditch pass off to Sakura Nojima, who showed plenty of assurance in turning and setting up Claire Corbett for a confident finish. 1-0 to the Rams.
The home fans were forced to be patient as they awaited their side’s equaliser, with the goal arriving in the 38th minute.
With the teams going off for the half time break locked up at 1-1 there was no sign of what was to come.
But it took the home side just five minutes to grab a 2-1 lead, thanks to Nicola Dominikovich, who took a touch before putting a composed finish past Rams goalkeeper Jazlyn Lewis-Zraika.
The Tigers attack kept the momentum going and would be rewarded for their brave football in the 55th minute when Dominikovich prevented the ball from going out of play before sending a fantastic cross into the box for Haley Johnson, who showed real class to touch the ball onto her right foot before volleying an unstoppable finish into the far corner.
Unfortunately for the Rams, at 3-1 up the Tigers showed no signs of slowing down and would add a fourth in the 71st minute when Isla Witham was found space on the right wing and cut inside to let off a quality finish that eluded Lewis-Zraika.
Maia Cameron scored her side’s fifth of the day, a well-taken header amongst a sea of bodies at a corner and an errant back pass would allow the Tigers in again for their sixth goal of the evening.
