A tough contest between two of the National Premier Leagues (NPL) Women’s standout sides this season ended with our own Macarthur Rams defeating the Gladesville Ravens 1-0 at Lynwood Park on Sunday evening.
The Rams entered the round four match in red hot form and sitting comfortably at the top of the NPL NSW Women’s ladder.
In comparison, the Ravens would have been raring to go after their match against the Illawarra Stingrays was washed out the previous weekend, and will have fancied their chances against the side sitting first on the ladder.
The first half saw both sides carve out chances, with one significant moment seeing Isabella Habuda going close for the visitors in the 17th minute after running onto a quality through ball from Lara Brewis that ended with Habuda being denied at close range by Rams goalkeeper Teresa Morrissey.
Macarthur would earn their solitary goal of the game in chaotic fashion, with an own goal being scored by Annabelle Daczko after she attempted to head the ball away following Romina Parraguirre’s sensational stop against Bronte Trew, with the ball eventually steered in off the post.
The result ensures that the Rams remain unbeaten atop the NPL Women’s NSW ladder at the conclusion of Round 4.
The other local side in the competition, Bulls FC Academy fought back from 2-0 down to draw their match against APIA Leichardt at Valentine Sports Park on Sunday evening 3-3.
The Bulls have provided plenty of entertainment so far across their three matches, whereas APIA earned their first win of the season over Sydney Olympic in Round 3 after back-to-back losses to begin the campaign.
The Bulls proved to be unfazed despite going 2-0 down, as Amber Luchtmeijer caused strife for Sophie Magus in the APIA goal with a looping cross that was bravely met by former APIA star Isabella Coco-Di Sipio and headed in for 2-1.
A wonderfully weighted cross to the back post would then open the door for a Bulls equaliser, with Elizabeth Grey scoring a strong header to put her side firmly back into the contest.
APIA were then left stunned late in the first half when Luchtmeijer was brought down for a penalty, with the resulting spot kick powerfully taken by Coco-Di Sipio to give her side an astonishing 3-2 lead after being 2-0 down.
In a turn of events that only a game like football could provide, APIA would win their own chance at a penalty goal that Brinley Gentle stepped up to take. Although her initial spot kick was saved by Trudy Simmons, Gentle was able to bury the second attempt for 3-3 in the 90th minute.
Rams team picture (TOP) taken at the start of the 2024 season courtesy of Football NSW.
