2022 Women’s National League – Week Four Review

Northern Rovers vs Eastern Suburbs

Throughout the year, Northern Rovers and Eastern Rovers have been common foes. Three times they met in league fixtures and they also got drawn against each other in the Kate Sheppard Cup... with Northern Rovers winning all four of those games. Heaps of goals too: scores of 6-1, 3-2, 3-2, 3-1. But that was then and this is now, with Eastern Suburbs having won three outta three to begin the NL. Rovers drew their first but had two hefty wins against fed teams since. Both these sides put bundles past poor Central (Subs won 8-0, Rovers won 9-0). Put simply this was a blockbuster clash at McFetridge Park.

Rovers made one change from the nine-for in Palmerston North with Estelle Harrison back in the midfield and curiously she came in for Kate McConnell, the right back, causing a slight re-shuffle. Hard to drop any of that Rene Wasi/Kelli Brown/Leanna Ryan front three after last week so that meant Michaela Foster flashed back to her younger days by playing left back (with Talisha Green on the right). No doubt she could do that role but it’s risky moving arguably your best player to a spot where she’ll have less of an overall effect on the game.

Eastern Suburbs made two changes following on from an impressive win in Christchurch. Nicole Mettam got the start in the forward line with no Nicole Cooper. Also Annie Byrne skipped the Cantab game due to the artificial turf – she’s had three ACL injuries so she dodges those harder surfaces – but the minty fresh grass of Glenfield allowed her to return at right wing-back with Erinna Wong swapping to the left.

Huge hype for this one... and it took just four minutes for the opening goal. Rovers led after 19 seconds last week so this was slow for them but great work from Wasi to pick the ball off Rebekah Van Dort and then Kelli Brown whipped in a very dangerous cross that had Ella Findlay in a bit of a tangle as she turned the ball into her own net. However there was an almost instant response from the Lilywhites. Deven Jackson angled in from the left and forced a save from Ellen Blount. That was merely the sighter because after charging down Chelsea Elliott’s attempted pass out she slammed her next shot into the bottom corner for 1-1. Righto. There were none between these teams at any other point of the year and six minutes into this one that was already the case once more.

There was time to catch a breath after all that... although not much time since this was a pretty rapid game. Chelsea Elliott drilled a long free kick on target, albeit for an easy save, yet it was Eastern Subs who were controlling most of the play with their silky midfield and tricky forward movements. That Tayla O’Brien x Deven Jackson combination especially. Rovers’ defence was able to muster through (note Rene Wasi dropping in and doing a heap of work on Jackson’s edge) but it was hard going.

Thus it was a wee bit against the run of play when Leanna Ryan stole the ball off Byrne at the by-line and was then tripped for a Rovers penalty. Michaela Foster may have been stuck in her defensive zone for a lot of the game but up she stepped for the penalty and of course she buried it for 2-1. With her right foot, which is worth pointing out because you never know with Foster. Despite having the better of the play so far, Suburbs found themselves in deficit thanks to a couple mistakes at the back.

Sidenote to relay an incredible yarn from Maia Jackman on comms that apparently once, when they were playing together, Rachel Head forgot her shinpads for a game so she slipped McDonalds burger cartons down her socks instead... and got away with it too. Kiwi ingenuity.

Back to the game and Jackson continued to look menacing as she curled one over the bar. Plenty of other Suburbs attempts where that came from – one of the best of them when Foster played a poor pass across goal that Juliette Lucas stole but the striker hit the side-netting. This was some sizzling footy from Suburbs... and it paid dividends on 40’ as Chelsea Elliott initially did well to get her head in front of a Jacko shot but Rovers couldn’t clear the trouble. Mettam had a shot. Blout saved it... but only just as the ball squeezed off the post. Blout tried to gather up the loose ends however Tayla O’Brien was lurking, as she often is in those situations, and nudged it over the line for goal number eight of her National League campaign.

There was some controversy about it. Blout took a boot to the head in the process and would need a fair bit of treatment before continuing on until the half. Even then she wasn’t feeling right and Georgia Craig replaced her for the second forty-five. Had there been some kinda VAR in place (specious hypothetical, sure) then it probably would have been overruled as a foul. But another way to look at it was that goal happened as a culmination of some extended Eastern Suburbs pressure... 2-2 at HT.

Saki Yoshida and Tayla O’Brien got the second spell going with a couple sighters. No doubt that Suburbs were on top yet perhaps the overall quality of the chances they were creating didn’t reflect their build-up play. Credit to the Rovers defence and also CDM Breeze Durham for really knuckling down and staying in the fight. Annie Atkins and Charlotte Wilford-Carroll both emerged off the bench for the Lilywhites.

Rovers swung it back their way as Harrison shaped up in transition only her pass to Ryan sent her maybe a little too wide... though Ryan still drilled one across Brooke Bennett and it needed a decent stop. Ryan got amongst it again from a Durham diagonal ball, that shot tipped away at full strength. Maisy Dewell came on for Northern. Ella Findlay had to leave with a worrisome ankle injury for Suburbs. Things were getting stretched. The game was in the balance.

And it was Eastern Suburbs who claimed it. That Findlay knock is awful as far as a current U20s rep getting hurt goes... though the pause in the game helped them reassess things and very soon after Jackson cut back for Mettam with the shot hacked off the line by Green. O’Brien also had a shot on target. Then O’Brien, operating higher forward and picking pockets outside the penalty area, slipped a ball in for Saki Yoshida to bust it open for a 3-2 lead, 68 mins gone.

O’Brien thought she’d scored again on 70’ following another smooth move. Yoshida squaring for Lucas who forced a save and TOB gobbled up the seconds... but a late offside flag put an end to that cause. However the home side were pretty exhausted by this stage and it was Eastern Suburbs who appeared more likely to score a fourth than Northern Rovers were to get an equaliser. Took a while for it to happen but when it did... mate. Two sensational Deven Jackson moments dribbling into the area and then banging them away.

A hat-trick for DJ. She was a constant threat for ninety minutes and then some, the best player on the park in a massive 5-2 win for her team – Eastern Suburbs still perfect after four rounds and this was quite a scalp. Four losses to NR this year but they got them at the fifth attempt... and how. Tayla O’Brien was also outstanding, a crucial part of so much of that slick attacking footy. Nicole Mettam had a fine game in her first start. Brooke Bennett made a few clutch saves when things were still even. Suburbs have scored 21 goals in four games, including at least four in each of them. If there’s a way to stop them then nobody’s figured it out yet.

At least in a two-rounder competition Northern Rovers know that they’ll get a second crack at this lot later in the season. Can’t help but feel they missed Suya Haering at the back, plus having Michaela Foster cover her position took a key player away from the midfield/attacking area where they needed something else to anchor them. It’s a blow. But even on a bad day they held in there for a long time and we know the NRFL champs tend to bounce back immediately. Long way to go yet... but the race for the grand final just got a whole lot funkier.


Western Springs vs Capital

Back to home turf for Western Springs who had won all three games to date without even having to travel out of Auckland. This was their third homer from four and the one away game was down the road against Auckland United. It’s a double-round league though so it’ll all balance out. Capital were their guests at Seddon Field on Saturday, their second trip up to AK already.

Just the one change for Springs after beating Auckland Utd last week and that was Sophia Dyer in for Maia Lythe on the right wing (although Sammi Tawharu did return to the bench). Capital made three alterations to the team that lost 2-0 to Southern a week ago with Lena De Ronde returning in the midfield, Sydnie Williams coming in up front, and Anna McCarthy slotting into left back (meaning Caelin Patterson moved from fullback to centre-back).

Capital kept the ball for about the first seventy seconds, moving it from side to side and getting Lauren Owen plenty of touches in the middle. But then Springs took it off them and won a procession of corners, with Emma Pijnenburg having a shot blocked and Sofia Garcia forcing a save with a downwards header amongst all that. Molly Simons also did well to close down Dyer before she could get around her after a clever ball from Jess Innes.

Capital were still having spells of possession, albeit overhit passes and rushed decisions weren’t helping them once they got over the halfway line. Plus Patterson and Zoe Barrott were going well at the back. Springs were pushing them deep but so far no damage. Rina Hirano had a header touched wide. The corner kicks kept coming. Another Hirano header flew wide (from a great Innes cross). Bottom line: 30 mins gone and it was still a scoreless game – twice so far Capital have been 1-0 down inside ten minutes so that was useful.

Alas, it was not to be for much longer. Because there’s not much stopping Rina Hirano when she’s up to these sort of shenanigans...

Not even Zoe Barrott could prevent her getting that (delayed) shot away. Hirano with the intercept, quick return pass with Garcia, then that absolute whip-snap of a turn to go past Patterson. Simons got a hand to the shot but couldn’t prevent it.

Patterson stepped in with a strong challenge to keep Garcia from getting a shot away. Simons made an airborne save off a Hirano rocket, top save. Thus it was only 1-0 at the half despite Springs looking well in control. Decent yarns for Capital, all things considered. Unfortunately for them it only took a couple of minutes of second half football before Jess Innes did a bit of this...

Great finish. Rate the accidental wall pass off the defence too. After 53 minutes a looping cross from Maggie Pedersen drew Simons off her line but she wasn’t able to reach it with a punch and Sofia Garcia nudged it back across goal from the by-line for Rina Hirano to pop in the easiest of finishes. 3-0 to Western Springs. This one was already in the bag unless Capital could produce some kind of attacking push that they’d shown no sign of to that point.

There was an impressive double stop from Simons to keep Hirano from a hat-trick and then Garcia from scoring on the rebound. Pijnenburg with a slick pass to reach Hirano in the first place. Springs continued on in search of further G’s. Springs did sub off their goalie Angelique TuiSamoa after 65 mins, giving backup Keely Taylor a crack – TuiSamoa lasting long enough to earn a second clean sheet of the term – though at the same time they also threw on Tawharu... so yeah. Garcia had a trio of opportunities trying to get in behind the defensive line (a combination of the offside flag and a brave Molly Simons keeping her at bay). Then a scare of a different variety for Capital as captain (and best player) Zoe Barrott appeared to take a kick to the belly. Devyn Crawford had to come on to replace her.

The game kinda lost it’s direction after that, Springs emptying their bench and cruising the rest of the way to a 3-0 victory. Back to back 3-0 wins for Western Springs who have won all four games this term and looked bloody good in doing so. Rina Hirano stood out with her double while Sofia Garcia had two assists. Jess Innes was again a major influence in the midfield, a very high performing CM trio given that Lily Taitimu was also winning all sorts of possession and Emma Pijnenburg pinging passes through the lines. Got some quality up the right wing from Maggie Pedersen and Sophia Dyer too. Not to mention the best defence in the comp through the first month. This team is good. This team could go a long way.

Meanwhile Capital... they shouldn’t be too bummed by this one. Defended pretty well in their shape. Caelin Patterson was impressive at CB. They weren’t able to do much with the ball when they got it but there were hints and flashes along the way – just gotta figure out ways to get Renee Bacon and Pepi Olliver-Bell more involved. Only one goal in four games and they’ve not exactly been creating an abundance of chances either. But there’s a decent defensive base to build from. Molly Simons again looked assured with the gloves. Still a long way to go in the season.


Southern United vs Central

Not sure if you can call Southern United the defending champs since the South Central Series was kinda its own thing. But they did win it so beginning this year with two large defeats was a rough one to take. However they bounced back with a professional performance to beat Capital 2-0 last week thanks to some Jasmine Prince goals and thus Kris Ridley only saw the need to make one change: Kennedy Bryant elevated to the starting team having impressed with her hold-up play in the second half in Wellington. They’d have hit up Logan Park in Dunedin with nothing short of a win in mind as Central came to town.

That’s because if Southern thought conceding 13 goals in two games to start was bad... Central are looking at them now like: hold my powerade. They’d allowed 17 over their previous two matches and didn’t even get a consolation goal to show for it. Matt Calvert’s team was without Charlotte Lancaster and Ashley Arquette – two of their more relatively experienced players – so Maddi Hughes and Stella Warner were given starts. Grace Smith also came into the eleven having not featured at all this season. Another Palmerston North Marist player to hopefully give Central some more stability in the middle of the field.

Can’t tell you what happened in the first quarter of an hour because NZ Football had some streaming issues this week. But can tell you that Prince probably should have scored on 19’ after a clever lob to the back post by Bryant... then unfortunately she went down injured a few mins later and had to be replaced, robbing this game of one of its more thrilling players. Sarah Morton came on to join sister Rose in the midfield with Chelsea Whittaker moving out to the right wing.

Southern were moving the ball around confidently with a lot more possession. Limited shots though – Central yet again having dramas stringing passes together but there’s a lot to like about a Jana Niedermayr-Kate Bennett centre-back combination. Kennedy Bryant was looking most likely for Southern with last week’s hold-up play giving way to some set piece prowess and a couple quick one-touch moves. That’s quite a toolkit to have at your disposal. However still no goals as we ticked past the half hour... in fact Central almost scored themselves as Maddi Hughes pressured keeper Kate Hannay, though Hannay was able to recover.

Dias’ quick feet got her into a shooting position with five to go in the half yet that effort was saved by Annie Foote. Then similar things for Georgie Furnell at the other end... also saved by Hannay. Southern were a bit frustrated as they hit the sheds with the game still scoreless, Central surely stoked with their first goalless half of the term to date. Scrapping away to keep things even – Grace Smith and Aimee Sanson probably didn’t have the sharpest pass success rate in that midfield but they were getting stuck in to everything.

What Central really didn’t need was an injury to Kate Bennett. KB has been essential to them at the back during those last couple difficult games – she’s basically like a second coach out on the field (she was literally the assistant coach last year) and leads by example with her combative approach. But she took a knock late first half, then early seconds she went down again and needed to be assisted off the pitch, Holly Smith her replacement.

Central did have a nice spell of corner kicks right after that sub. More than ever before it felt like a game that they could do more than merely hope for a draw from. Holly Kleinsman was getting on the ball way more. Stella Warner won a couple tackles that sparked counter attacks. The wind (and the kick from the artificial turf) also made it harder for Southern to advance the ball from deep and allowed Central to press more than they have done at any stage this season. Wouldn’t say Southern were rattled as Whittaker and Dias still forged quality cracks at goal... but it wasn’t coming easy for them as we ticked past the hour.

Then Southern scored. Fantastic work from Sarah Morton who worked a one-two with CB Kelsey Kennard then pinged it out to Whittaker wide left, continuing on her run to collect a square ball back with room to advance. Morton next popped it over to Kennedy Bryant on the edge of the area, taking up space between the CBs, and she curled it top corner. Didn’t catch it completely cleanly but didn’t have to with the placement that spot-on. The breakthrough came in the 63rd minute of the match. Bryant deserved it too.

Three minutes later Sarah Morton played another great pass this time picking out Margi Dias on the run from the right wing. Dias scored with a delicious finish. Lifted it over Annie Foote but gently enough that it dropped easily into the net.

Five minutes after that, Margi Dias dropped in to collect a pass from Kennard and flipped it around the corner for the overlapping run of former Central player Abby Rankin whose finish was equally as good as the other two. Three goals in less than ten minutes. Fair play to Southern, they really had to battle for the points but they earned them. 3-0 the final score as the remaining twenty minutes slipped away amidst a fog of substitutions and Southern long shots. Rose Morton had a couple looks. Nothing to match what her three teammates were able to do. Whittaker missed a 1v1 after a killer long ball from Mackay-Wright. No dramas. Southern United with back to back wins in this National League.

Realistically, Capital and Central were always going to be the two most beatable opponents for Southern so what we’ve learned this past fortnight isn’t that they’re suddenly in title contention, simply that they’re a couple steps ahead of those sides. As they probably should be. The trick will be whether they can kick on and find a way to overtake someone else and finish fifth or whether that sixth spot is already decreed by fate.

Kennedy Bryant looks like a wonderful addition to the team, giving them that number nine presence that they had last year with Amy Hislop. Saw some more strings to KB’s bow in this game including that mean-as goal. Sarah Morton’s two assists capped a strong showing from her, coming off the bench in an injury-enforced reshuffle but ending up being the player to supply that game-breaking creativity. And the likes of Margi Dias, Hannah Mackay-Wright, and Abby Rankin all deserve shout outs as well.

No goals through four games for Central... yet this was the first time when they really seemed capable of sustained attacking pressure. If Charlotte Lancaster had played maybe they’d have put one away. Also if Kate Bennett hadn’t got injured maybe they don’t concede when they did. Fingers crossed the Bennett injury isn’t as bad as it looks like it could be because we’ve seen quite clearly that the likes of Niedermayr and Smith have made a difference. That’s what happens when you pick more experienced players. Cannot afford to lose one of their most experienced in Bennett.

It’s understandable why Central have preferred a developmental approach to their squads over the last couple years and the talent is obviously there based on their track record of players making national age grade squads (Lara Smith and Rebekah Trewhitt are both with the U17s as we speak). But those two huge defeats to Suburbs and Rovers don’t help anyone’s careers and Grace Smith’s presence seems to suggest they’re open to a bit more balance with selections now. Despite another defeat this was without a doubt an improved performance as they kept it empty for 62 minutes – whereas in previous games they’d conceded the first goal in the twelfth, fourth, and first minute of those matches.


Auckland United vs Canterbury United Pride

We’re only in week four and yet this kinda felt like a must-win game for Canterbury Utd. Consecutive losses to Western Springs and Eastern Suburbs, who are both perfect after the opening month, has left the Pride in quite a hole given that only the top two make the final. The Cantabs have struggled to put away their chances so far and that’s caused them to have to take more risks, leaving their defence exposed. A trip up to Auckland United is not the easiest but they desperately needed those points... and perhaps playing AK Utd at a time when they’ve got a few players away at the U17 World Cup would give them a cosmic assist. These are the two National League teams that have contributed the most players to that squad, by the way (four each).

United rolled with the same starting team as last week being racked for numbers at the moment with so many players unavailable. That problem got even worse inside five minutes of this game as Jenna Dodd hit the ground away from the ball with what looked like a knee injury and she was not in a good way as they helped her off the park. Penny Brill on very early as a replacement in midfield.

Under Alana Gunn, the Pride aren’t afraid to go looking for solutions and having tried out a back three in the 4-1 home defeat to Eastern Suburbs, they returned to a four this week with a diamond midfield in place. Rebecca Lake sliding out to right back with Kendrah Smith at CB alongside Mikaela Hunt. Ellena Firth in midfield this time with Kate Loye also back in the team. Frankie Morrow got start number one of the season up front with Kate Guildford (who played wing-back last week). Only two personnel changes but a few positional ones in there as well.

Lara Wall made a sharp run up the left, getting around the corner and drilling a cross in to no avail. Signs that she was in a mood to attack. Frankie Morrow finished sweetly from a Chloe Bellamy shot/pass soon after but was given offside. Kate Guildford also forced a near post save. The Pride very positive from the outset... although AU’s first chance to counter saw Sophie Williams slide in Bree Johnson whose shot only just went wide of the post. Aimee Barnard had a shot on target too, proving her team was also ready to run.

But the Pride scored first. Long ball in the 15th minute from Mikaela Hunt only about ten metres outside of her own half... and it was inch perfect, drilled in at head height, for Kate Guildford to flick a glancing touch towards the target. Jesse Barnard stretched that right arm as far as she could but the loop on the header had her beat. Great assist from Hunt. Great header from Guildford.

And in less time than it takes to boil an egg the Canterbury United Pride had two. Whitney Hepburn’s turn this time to lift a straight one over the top and Chloe Bellamy’s little drift-and-burst across the defensive line kept her onside. Bellamy rounded the keeper and side-footed in for 2-0. 16 minutes gone. How about that?

Yeah... hold on. Not so fast. Because in the 18th minute Auckland United scored. Alosi Bloomfield read the play smartly to step up and intercept a rushed Hunt pass against the press. Then got the ball quickly to Bree Johnson and having missed one great chance already she wasn’t gonna do so again. Burst of pace to get past Hunt and then a slick shot past Una Foyle to make it 2-1. No time to react to one goal before the next one had flown in. Phew.

Aimee Barnard took the ball of Firth to charge into the area but Firth recovered with a crucial block. Just before that Kate Loye had been injured in a collision, limping heavily on her left leg. She came back out to give it a try, kicked the ball once, and walked back off again in pain. Wasn’t gonna happen. Lauren Dabner came on at 24’ meaning that both teams had already suffered key midfield injuries in the first half. Whitney Hepburn had to do a concussion check as well but she was okay. False alarm.

Oh and then Auckland United scored again. Bloomfield and Johnson again, hassling for defenders around the perimeter and preventing the Pride from being able to clear the danger. When Bloomfield got a foot in that deflected to Johnson, BJ then sliced to her left to beat Hunt again and then beat Foyle again with a placed shot. Assist: Bloomfield. Goal: Johnson. Both times.

Johnson punted one into Foyle’s hands in an attempt to make it a half-hour hat-trick, no cigar. Then by rights it shoulda been the Pride back in front as Morrow crossed for Bellamy who had two cracks at it from six yards out but didn’t make good contact and Sophie Bradley blocked her then cleared it. If the Pride were in shock at how their lead had disappeared, it didn’t stop them from seeking out those long balls over the top to willing runners. Not that Auckland United were short of defence-stretching pace either. So it was that we reached the half-time break at Keith Hay Park all level at 2-2.

The Pride resumed with a pep in their step, plugging that City defence a bit deeper than they’d have liked. Yet pesky old Bree Johnson continued to be a conundrum for them, and Mikaela Hunt in particular. Johnson scooted past Hunt once more on 54’ and this time drew a foul and a penalty kick. From 2-0 up and now on the brink of being 3-2 down... until Johnson got a little too sneaky with her spottie and scooped it over the bar. The Pride quickly threw on Britney-Lee Nicholson, Petra Buyck, and Lisa Evans, with Firth also moving to right back and captain Rebecca Lake to her usual CB spot.

Good changes. Just sayin’. Within moments, Nicholson almost got her foot on a delivery in behind. Before long she tried a curler off her left which smacked into the crossbar. Then there was a magical Lara Wall run and low cross to the near post which Nicholson was hunting for but ran out of room. Good areas from the Pride who were also muscling up more than ever, coach Gunnie surely happy with the intensity her team was bringing to the contest knowing that they need that win. Then again, AK Utd had proven they could score at any moment. In terms of ways this match could have gone: either.

Bree Johnson was still searching for that hatty, gliding past a sliding challenge from Lake after Issy Gerrand picked her out in the area but Foyle was in the right place to keep her out. The Cantabs then went up the other end and Petra Buyck had a go at one of her trademark long-rangers and for a split second this one looked like it was dipping into the top corner. It didn’t. But from the next phase of play Jesse Barnard had to attack a Chloe Bellamy cross but only sent it as far as Buyck. Side-footer. 3-2 to the Pride. A third of the season for Buyck (who everyone seems to call ‘Petra Buick’ like the car... yet the internet assures me her name is pronounced By-ick... but anyway).

The last time Auckland United went behind they hit back within quarter of an hour which was what they had left after that goal. And they were two down the first time, not one. However the Cantabs weren’t about to leave themselves as open on the break as they did then – already taking the ball to the corner a couple times with ten still to go. Some kicks-for-territory stuff as well. Once they got down that end there were definitely still intentions to score... but the plan was to be as risk-averse as they could. It worked.

Massively important 3-2 win for the Cantabs who thus become the first federation team to beat an NRFL team in this National League. It was always likely to be them. Didn’t come easy despite the two early goals but it was a strong and composed second half from them which you’d have to say earned them a deserved result. Had that quality off the bench (whereas United only used two subs in total and one was after six minutes). Lara Wall was brilliant up and down the left side. Chloe Bellamy had a good game in the ten role. Whitney Hepburn vs Alosi Bloomfield was a cracker of a match-up from the very beginning and ultimately it was Hepburn who came out on top. She’s never worse than 7/10. This was more like an 8 or 9 from Heps.

Unlucky for Bree Johnson... that missed penalty will be stinging her all week but it shouldn’t overshadow a fantastic individual effort in which her two sizzling goals got her team back into the match in the first place. In the absence of Milly Clegg and Ruby Nathan and Marty Puketapu... AU needed someone to fill that gap and it was Bree Johnson who volunteered. Georgia Martin and Jess Philpot did some excellent things at the back too. The Kate Sheppard Cup champs are being stretched thin by player unavailabilities and the injury to Jenna Dodd certainly doesn’t help... however they do still have some hearty soldiers to see them through.

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