Bulls FC Academy and Macarthur Rams are neck and neck in the race for finals spots in the 2024 NPL NSW women’s football competition.
It follows solid wins at home for both, 2-0 for the Rams over Football NSW Institute and 3-0 for the Bulls against UNSW in round 16.
For the Rams it was their second win on the trot, a sign last year’s premiers may be getting their mojo back after a lengthy form slump.
The Rams had to overcome a solid Football NSW Institute side in a challenging contest at Lynwood Park on the weekend to pick up the three vital premiership points.
Institute have been a competitive side this year and relished the opportunity to come up against a Rams side that has struggled for consistency for most of this season.
After patiently building the ball out from the back in an effort to create gaps through the Institute’s midfield, Bronte Trew would successfully give the home team the lead.
The Institute defence failed to deal with a cross and left the Rams winger open at the back post for an easy finish.
A wonderful pass from captain Bethany Gordon would allow Kelli Brown the opportunity to extend their lead in the 80th minute, which she did with aplomb, giving her side an important goal in the race to finish in the top four and to play finals football.
It was a slightly easier challenge for the Bulls FC Academy girls, who convincingly defeated UNSW 3-0 on Sunday evening.
The Bulls have found a strong momentum at a critical point in the season and entered this match in fourth place on the ladder.
By contrast, UNSW are struggling for form and will have been hoping to upset a classy Bulls side in their visit to Northbridge Oval.
Having seen her chipped finish bounce just beyond the far post a minute earlier, Tamires Souza would quickly get the ball rolling for the Bulls in the 9th minute.
After being put through one-on-one with the goalkeeper following a superb through ball by Amber Luchtmeijer, her low finish into the bottom corner gave the home side the lead.
Luchtmeijer did wonderfully to manufacture a second for her side, robbing the goalkeeper of possession just outside of the 18-yard box and taking her chance to extend the lead to 2-0 with a composed strike.
Bulls creative midfielder Avaani Prakash was at the centre of her side’s third and final goal after spotting the run of Daniella Naeimi and placing the ball in front of the winger, who proceeded to tap the ball in for a 3-0 final scoreline.
The win has the Bulls in fourth spot on 28 points, but ahead of the Rams, who also have 28 points and are in fifth spot.
