2022 Women’s National League – Week Five Review
Canterbury United Pride vs Northern Rovers
Even at this stage of the season dropped points are tough to overcome. When only two teams can make the grand final and Eastern Suburbs and Western Springs keep on winning it means that teams like Northern Rovers and Canterbury United Pride simply cannot afford to fall too far behind them if they want to remain in contention. Thus when they play each other, such as they did on Saturday on the English Park turf, it was always set up to be a bit of a cracker of a game.
The Pride were without Mikaela Hunt so Rebecca Lake returned to her usual CB spot alongside Kendrah Smith with Elena Firth at right back. Kate Loye didn’t recover from last week’s injury so the midfield diamond had a different look in its centre: Lauren Dabner and Lisa Evans each with their first starts of the season. Evans had come off the bench in each of their first four games (scoring a goal against Central in week one). Dabner made her first appearance last week. Britney-Lee Nicholson also got back into the eleven.
For Northern Rovers there was only one alteration and it was Kate McConnell replacing the absent Dani Canham. McConnell played right back meaning Talisha Green swapped to the left and most importantly it meant Michaela Foster in the midfield. Let the Foz cook. It’s a good strategy.
Rovers got things started with a few examinations of the Pride’s high defensive line, the offside trap working so far. Frankie Morrow did also get into a couple useful areas for the home side but the first quarter of an hour was largely... let’s say a testing of the waters. Each team merely dipping their toes in. Then after 16 minutes Green slid in on Dabner in the NR penalty area. In all honesty it looked like she won the ball cleanly enough but the ref had a closer perspective and thought otherwise. Penalty to Canterbury.
So... you know the phrase ‘no harm no foul’? Technically this was still a foul but there wasn’t any lasting harm thanks to Ellen Blount who made a superb diving save off Nicholson’s spottie.
Literally seconds later Northern Rovers were leading. The corner kick was cleared to Kelli Brown on halfway and after retaining possession she switched it towards the run of Rene Wasi... who is one of the fastest players in the country and Ellena Firth did her best but couldn’t keep up. The finish was sharp too. A ruthless counter attacking goal, this game taking one huge pendulum swing after another just like that.
Green celebrated the hardest at the penalty save (for obvious reasons). She more than made up it for soon after with a tackle to deny Nicholson right as the seas had seemingly parted for her to score. Bit unlucky for the Pride there... whereas Rovers only had themselves to blame for not scoring when Wasi hit Brown’s diagonal run but Brown was denied by Una Foyle after failing to place her shot well enough. Then Leanna Ryan missed the target entirely on the follow-up with only a defender on the line to beat. Ryan’s finishing was much better a minute later hitting a dropping volley... although the crossbar was not her friend on that occasion. Slow start to this game but it was heating up now, yes ma’am/sir/etc.
Frankie Morrow took a knock that required a quick check from the physio. She was okay and soon found herself charging past a defender and smashing one off the bar for the Cantabs. Once again Rovers threatened to punish them immediately with Foster intercepting a ball in midfield and hitting Brown early – those sizzling transitions from Northern again – except Brown’s shot was quite remarkably saved by Foyle again.
The breeze in Christchurch meant that Foster’s corner kicks had to be outswingers for once (no shooting direct... until the second half) although they remained equally as dangerous, for example the one where Wasi had a shot blocked then Greer MacIntosh hit the post and Ryan’s third attempt went wide with too much traffic around her in the six yard box. Inexplicable how it was only 1-0 at the half, Rovers should have been up 4-2 instead. Can’t say this match wasn’t living up to the billing.
The Pride clearly had to keep the ball better if they were gonna hang in this contest. Luckily they did have Frankie Morrow and if anyone was going to get them on the board then it was her. Ninety seconds into the second half she gathered the ball on the right after some nice work from Nicholson, then charged infield and fired a shot that was pushed away by Blount but only into defender Kate McConnell who tried to keep the ball from crossing the line but could only hack it into the netting. An own goal. Not sure we can justify a Morrow assist on that one but she sparked it, no doubt.
A couple long rangers from Whitney Hepburn and Chloe Bellamy followed, the Cantabs getting on top of this thing. On came Petre Buyck off the bench in another go-for-the-throat move. Rovers responded with Maisy Dewell coming on, also one to boost their attack. The Rovers move was the one that paid off. Dewell got involved instantly by shaping up a defender and picking out Kelli Brown in the area... who chopped past Smith and beat Foyle through her legs. Noicely done. 2-1 to Rovers on the hour.
Brown nearly had another when she turned Ryan’s low cross on goal but Foyle somehow both blocked and regathered it on the line. The let-off was short-lived. 64 mins gone and Foster finally got a chance to swing a corner into the breeze... Foyle punched it clear and Green drilled it back towards goal where Brown wasn’t able to get a little flick on it (though Ryan might have) but that was okay because none of the Cantabs defenders were able to stop it. Green credited with the goal.
That was a dagger blow for the home side. Tough to come back after two goals in five minutes spoiled their progress. Eventually Rovers scored a fourth as a Foster corner kick landed at the feet of Estelle Harrison whose touch found Maisy Dewell and there ya go, get in there, 4-1 to Northern Rovers. Still time for one last point blank Una Foyle save (she conceded four but also still had a blinder, figure that one out) denying Brown running onto another Ryan ball across goal.
Quite emphatic in the end. Northern Rovers missed a lot of chances, could have scored plenty , yet emerged with a 4-1 win away from home against a good team. The Pride had an excellent start to the second half which threatened to take Rovers to task for not being more clinical but they rallied back for a superb victory. Kelli Brown should have had a hat-trick. That didn’t happen... yet she still played a major role in this game. Likewise Leanna Ryan should’ve had multiple assists and at least one goal and ended up with none thanks, at least in part, to sheer harsh luck. Rene Wasi’s speed and energy got things started. Talisha Green was really good. Don’t forget that penalty save from Ellen Blount way back when either. Way to bounce back after a rough loss to Suburbs a week earlier.
The Pride aren’t out of it after this defeat considering there’s a whole other round to get to. We’re not even halfway through this competition. Every team they’ve lost to, they’ll get another chance to beat and make up for it. But they’ve now been beaten by all three of the teams ahead of them (Eastern Subs, Western Springs & Northern Rovers) so the road to the final is incredibly steep from here. At least Frankie Morrow emerges with reputation enhanced. As does Una Foyle after some outrageous saves. Can’t help but feel it ain’t a coincidence that the two games Kate Loye has missed have seen the Pride lose 4-1 on both occasions.
Capital vs Auckland United
It has not been a particularly enjoyable time for Capital so far. Some decent defensive exploits have been spoiled by an inability to keep the ball, meaning that they concede heaps of goals anyway without hardly threatening in return. Just one goal in four matches. But Auckland United haven’t looked the same since losing a quartet of starters to the U17 World Cup and had lost in consecutive weeks heading into this match. Therefore it was one to target for both teams.
Huge blow for Capital with captain Zoe Barrott missing after going off injured a week ago. No Jayden Watts either, so Caelin Patterson got another swing at CB and she was joined by Devyn Crawford for her first start. Rebecca Otte also into the eleven for the first time since week one. Those were the two changes from the 3-0 defeat to Western Springs a week ago. Auckland United with only one change, also injury enforced. That was Penny Brill in for Jenna Dodd – which was a substitution made in the opening minutes of last week’s game as a result of Dodd’s injury.
Right, so, you know how Capital hadn’t scored for thee straight games? It didn’t even take them three minutes to get on the scoreboard in this match. Stand-in captain Renee Bacon got onto a long ball towards the right wing from Patterson at the back, route one build up on that occasion, and Bacon played a sumptuous early ball into the middle for Pepi Olliver-Bell who’d snuck behind her marker. POB then finished smoothly as Jesse Barnard tried to close her down. A sharp goal in a couple different ways. 1-0 to Capital.
Auckland United sought to settle things down with some possession and last week’s star Bree Johnson had their first proper attempt with a cross/shot from the left that fizzed wide. Georgia Martin also headed over from a Bella Richards corner kick. Pressure was building and after 13 minutes Alosi Bloomfield burst into the penalty area where she was taken down by Lauren Owen. Bloomfield took her own penalty... and Molly Simons made one of the best saves you’ll ever see to tip it onto the crossbar... however Bloomfield didn’t give up and poached the rebound to score anyway.
That opening goal had been Capital’s only major attack until they conceded but after that they had a few more forays with Olliver-Bell heavily involved. Yet they found themselves trailing after 23 minutes when Bree Johnson flexed some excess pace down the left to get past two defenders and slide a low cross to the back stick where Bella Richards popped up for her first goal of the campaign.
Bloomfield, seemingly with more licence to roam than usual, got into the area again and appealed for a handball penalty only this time the ref allowed things to continue. A giveaway at the back then almost allowed Capital to hit back but after POB hit Bacon just outside the area the Capital winger slipped as she shot to take the sting out of her effort. A bit later there was almost a live-action replay of the first goal as Patterson went direct to Bacon who squared for Olliver-Bell only this time Barnard got out to shut it down.
Then, just before the break, Renee Bacon found more space down the right after Lena De Ronde picked her out running in behind her fullback. Bacon took it all the way to the line and whipped it over to the feet of Sydnie Williams for the six-yard tap-in and Capital were level at 2-2 as the oranges were served.
No way Auckland United could have been happy with where they were at, however that Capital counter attack was finally looking like the real deal. Working out ways to get Olliver-Bell and Bacon more involved in games has been an issue for Maika Ruyter-Hooley’s team however last week the coach moved them each a little wider with Williams starting as a central striker and that seems to have given them that outlet. Didn’t get much success against Springs but AK Utd were a bit more vulnerable. The second half began with United attacking that stacked defensive shape of Capital’s... though it wasn’t too long before Bacon was back at it with a Jess Philpot challenge all that prevented Capital from regaining the lead.
Bree Johnson’s strong work for United led to a Leaming cross that Simons had some trouble with, Johnson eventually sending it wide. At the other end sub Dani Ohlsson charged down the line and pulled one back for Bacon whose shot was saved by Barnard – twenty mins into the second half and Capital were now playing like they felt they could win this thing. No thoughts of simply sitting back for the draw despite the four-game losing streak.
Until Emmelin Bowala came off the bench for United and scored a screamer to put her team back on top. 70th minute of the contest. Picked up the loose ball, edge of the area on the right side, and she smacked it with enough juice to rise over Simons yet still dip back down and in thanks to the angle. At least Capital knew they had goals in them. Olliver-Bell ran onto a Cara Chung long ball and drilled a shot into Jesse Barnard’s grasp. Ohlsson had some more joy on that left wing. That spell was Capital’s best sustained period of attack all game and whilst it didn’t initially lead to anything substantial... skip forward to 86 mins when they went back to the script with a long ball from Sammi Preval that was dashed upon by Dani Ohlsson who skipped past the keeper and finished from a tough angle.
Only for Capital to concede again three minutes later. Bree Johnson beat a defender and got the ball into the area. Bowala’s shot hit the inside of the post and spilled back across the line. It was a race between Alosi Bloomfield and Nicola Ross to see who’d get to it first... and Bloomfield won it to score her second goal of the day/season.
Except we weren’t done there. The crowd at Petone Memorial Park had already been treated to probably the best game of the season so far and it got even better for them as Dani Ohlsson swung a deep cross into the area which Pepi Olliver-Bell met with her head and what do ya know that was 4-4. Fantastic header from POB. A wonderful end to a wonderful game.
To recap, it was 3-2 to Auckland United after 70 minutes. Capital equalised in the 86th but then fell behind again in the 89th. Then the home side scored a 93rd minute equaliser. One goal in four games followed by four goals in one game. Olliver-Bell (two goals) and Bacon (two assists) were superb, finally unleashed in the way that they’ve threatened in limited glimpses over the past month. Dani Ohlsson coming off the bench to score a goal and set up another was huge. Despite conceding four there were some nice moments from Patterson and Crawford at the back. Patterson’s passing especially. Cara Chung deserves some of the same credit. A hard earned point for that lot.
Wouldn’t say that Auckland United threw it away as they never looked entirely comfortable against that counter attack. Maybe should have scored a few more to put it beyond a comeback although it’s not like they were missing chances or anything. Bowala’s contribution off the bench was crucial and after that display of quick feet and attacking intent she’s surely a good bet to start next week as United attempt to figure things out in attack until Milly Clegg and Ruby Nathan return. Thought Bella Richards had a solid game, defensively as well as with the progressive yarns. Alosi Bloomfield too with her brace of goals. United blew a lead against Canterbury last week as well so perhaps that old cliche of ‘game management’ might get brought up at training over the next few days. Might also wanna do something about defending those long passes.
Eastern Suburbs vs Southern United
Four wins from four, scoring at least four goals in each of them. No team has yet been able to find a way to halt the advances of Eastern Suburbs. Here they were home at Madills Farms seeking to make it five outta five although Southern United were coming off the back of consecutive wins of their own. Albeit in grittier fashion. This was going to be a tough test for the Southerners regardless... but it was made even tougher with a few key absentees. Their backline and goalie were untouched but further forward they were without the services of Margi Dias (uni exams), Kennedy Bryant (covid), and Sarah Morton (knee strain). Jessica Fuller played striker for her first start of the season. Jemma Wilson also came in on the wing. At least Jasmine Prince was all good to feature after going off hurt a week ago.
Eastern Suburbs gave Charlotte Wilford-Carroll, NZ U20s midfielder, her maiden start of this National League. Slid in alongside Saki Yoshida in midfield with Tayla O’Brien therefore moving into the front three. That front three of O’Brien, Deven Jackson, and former Southern striker Juliette Lucas came into this round with 17 goals between them – for context Southern had only scored six combined through the opening four rounds. Arya Blackler (who turns 17 next week) also swapped in for Ella Findlay (another U20s rep) who left last week’s game hurt.
The first step against Suburbs is to get through the first dozen minutes unscathed... which nobody had managed to do yet. Southern were interested in more than that though, Wilson forcing a save with a header off a Fuller corner kick after six mins. Southern’s deep defensive set-up mixed with aggressive engagement left the Lilywhites with a few things to figure out.
Wilford-Carroll did thump one on target from distance though. Then O’Brien struck on the turn after holding the ball up in the area and it required a crucial block from Hannah Mackay-Wright to send that one out for a corner. From that corner O’Brien forced a save from Kate Hannay... but then Juliette Lucas smashed in the rebound. Comprehensive finish: it was either ‘watch this one tear a hole in the net’ or ‘risk your life trying to stop it’. 11th minute of the game... the dozen min limit continues for Suburbs.
Credit to Southern because they were able to scrap things up for the next ten minutes, winning a few tackles and interceptions and even getting into some useful attacking areas now and then. Mackay-Wright was involved in a lot of that (and her passing out from the back was all class). Granted, Aimee Atkins did fizz an effort off target on the overlap and Lucas went even closer with an opportunistic one from the centre.
There were injury scares for Prince and Wilford-Carroll which each were able to run off. There was then an even bigger scare as Tayla O’Brien – MVP frontrunner through the initial month – seemed to jar her ankle in the turf and was in some decent pain. She managed to limp off unaided and then returned to the match so that was a relief. Hopefully nothing to worry about for Suburbs. Might’ve been some worries as Chelsea Whittaker split the defence with a pass to Toni Power whose shot was gathered at the second attempt though. Or Jasmine Prince’s turn and shot in injury time that missed the frame. Fair play to Southern, that was about as well marshalled as Suburbs have been in a half all season.
Second half picked up the same way – and despite Suburbs having the bulk of the ball it was Kelsey Kennard who nearly pounced on a Fuller corner to the back post, just couldn’t quite reach it or else it could’ve been a tied game again. Alternatively it could have been twos had Deven Jackson’s feint and drive ended with a shot on target but her left-footer flew narrowly astray.
O’Brien did eventually get subbed on the hour, very understandable coach’s instinct from Stephen Hoyle to protect his best player. Atkins also came off after a strong hour’s work with the Nicole’s Mettam and Cooper on instead. However Hoyle might still have had some hesitation given that Suburbs continued to nurse that fragile single goal lead. Only one moment away from potentially dropping points. Rose Morton steadily grew into this match and by the second half was absolutely thriving by breaking things up as she does so well. Her battle with Deven Jackson was immense and to be honest Morton was having the better of it.
The save that Hannay made low with her feet off sub Jade Parris with five to go was the first proper one she’d made all second half. Southern’s tireless defensive work was made even more impressive by the fact that they didn’t make a substitution until the 82nd min (partly due to only having three outfielders on the bench). A remarkable effort from them... but they simply didn’t have the juice to also find a goal. Bit of a weird game where the team down 1-0 felt like the one locking it down yet there ya go. Jess Fuller’s hold-up play was nice. Jasmine Prince’s pace is always a threat. But they were playing from so deep and with limited numbers forward so it never really clicked together. Plus Suburbs do have some gun defenders who weren’t about to ease up.
Add it all together and you’ve got a 1-0 Eastern Suburbs win that keeps them perfect through five weeks... but that victory won’t have felt like the others. Their usual abundance mentality on attack was gone as all the pockets were filled. Frustrating afternoon for them. Shout outs for Arya Blackler though – really composed performance at the back, particularly with her passing. O’Brien was strong while she was out there too. Wilford-Carroll and Yoshida had their moments. Juliette Lucas scored that all-important goal. Nicole Mettam had a big impact off the bench. They were good for the win but they’d have preferred it happen a little easier.
Despite the loss, Southern United oughta be mighty proud about that. Subs have scored 4+ against everyone else... but only mustered the one here. Rose Morton, what a player. Hannah Mackay-Wright was outstanding. Toni Power had an excellent game. All that was lacking was a goal to give them something tangible but that was a massive effort from the Southerners regardless. A moral victory if ever there were one. Put it in the record books as week five when the federation teams began to get it humming.
Central vs Western Springs
Two main objectives for Central as they hosted Western Springs at Massey Uni: don’t get thrashed and try to score that first goal of the campaign. In attempting to do so they were without Kate Bennett who got hurt last week, with Pip Coakley moving to CB. They did have former Welly Nixer Charlotte Lancaster back though. That was the one change from last week’s 3-0 loss to Southern – which they kept scoreless for the first hour – however the 3-4-3 formation was definitely a new one. Lots of work incoming for Coakley, Jana Niedermayr, and Mackenna Chittenden.
Opponents Western Springs took the opportunity to rotate a couple hard workers with Lily Taitimu and Jaedeci Uluvili each left on the bench. They did have Sammi Tawharu making her first start since week two though, with Rina Hirano sliding back into midfield. Celia Mayo and Anija Irvine were the other fresh introductions compared to last week. Two clean sheet wins in a row for Western Springs who’d taken a perfect 12 points from 12. No doubting who the favourites were for this match.
Central’s new structure looked pretty solid to begin with, that extra defender giving them a free player to sweep across and attack the ball. But there’s nothing much to be done when a team’s doing this kinda thing...
Unreal footy from Springs. Rina Hirano especially, whose silky touches then blazing speed were the making of that goal. It started at the back, halting a Central foray, then flowed up that left wing before Hirano finally cut back for Emma Pijnenburg to polish it off. That’s a superb goal.
If you thought that was the beginning of another riot though you were mistaken. Central’s shape also gave them better width up front (Georgie Furnell and Holly Kleinsman on the wings) which allowed them to get a bit of an enclosing press going on which at least offered an obstacle to the Springs build-up play. That slowed Springs down... but it didn’t stop them. Sofia Garcia held off Niedermayr to get a shot away that went narrowly over. Hirano found space in the area but Coakley was able to get a block in. Tawharu also didn’t manage to get a volley on target from Jess Innes’ cross. Garcia then blasted a similar one over the bar... although Maddi Hughes also forced a save up the other end.
Charlotte Lancaster couldn’t get over the top of a free kick chance... but a sharp drag back on the edge of the box allowed her to get a shot away which Angelique TuiSamoa had to stretch to tip over the bar. Central were getting closer and closer. From that corner, Lancaster’s initial ball was dealt with but her second cross needed a lunge from Arisa Takeda to keep Hughes from latching onto it and Springs never properly cleared their lines. Next thing Hughes had it back and was slapping home an equaliser. Maddison Hughes after 27 minutes. Central’s first of the season (only took them 387 minutes) and Western Springs suddenly had some work to do.
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Garcia and Mayo swapped wings to change the point of attack. Tawharu did some mean work to swing around and cut back for Hirano who lifted her shot high – wee bit of a theme from Springs. That and also Annie Foote getting off her line sharply to diffuse the through balls in behind her defence. However Central kept winning corners and a tenacious bit of hustle from Furnell forced Irvine into an important block. Hughes also whipped a shot across goal.
Garcia had a couple more chances before the half, plus Hirano had a golden one taking down a Lily Jervis log ball on her chest but was unable to get a clean strike on her volleyed shot. There was also a Tawharu chip off target after a Pijnenburg pass. Yet the last shot of the half belonged to Maddi Hughes as Central hit the sheds content with the best half of footy they’ve played all year. 1-1 the HT score.
Double sub at the half for Western Springs with Uluvili and Taitumu on for Mayo and Irvine (sending Hirano, who’d been their best by far in the first half, into the front three). Had to be done. Central were not playing like a team to be taken lightly... as evidenced by a few more Lancaster set pieces including a corner headed on target by Aimee Sanson that could easily have put the home team into the lead. Same deal as Lancaster attempted one of her long range bombs and it dropped off the crossbar, bloody hell.
But with 61 minutes played the talent of Western Springs did shine through as Sammi Tawharu dropped deep to collect a ball that she quickly sent into the path of Rina Hirano, who again showed the pace to beat a defender and then she calmly dribbled around Foote to score into an empty net. And on 62’ they scored again – Sofia Garcia not giving up and winning the ball back out wide after Central failed to clear it. Her low ball seemed to evade everyone until Jess Innes stretched out and scored with a shot off the underside of the crossbar. Then Hirano put a low header wide from Maggie Pederson’s cross which probably should’ve made it three goals in less than three minutes.
Central had to be careful not to undo a lot of that great work by letting the score blow out. They dodged another one as Garcia missed at the far post (an unusually wasteful day from the American) and were also perhaps getting too direct/impatient in their play which was only leading to the ball coming back at them again in a hurry. They did hold on until the 76th minute when Hirano fired in her second of the day courtesy of a half-clearance landing at her feet. Annie Foote’s own foot almost but not quite pulled off an incredible save but nah, a fourth for the Hoops.
Aaaand then in the 87th it was 5-1 as Arisa Takeda crossed in for Rina Hirano who took the ball under her control with back to goal and flipped it Jess Innes open underneath. Innes didn’t miss. A 5-1 scoreline having been 1-1 at the break, yeah probably gotta say that it did get out of hand for Central in the end. The quality of Western Springs was always likely to tell but conceding four in the last half hour means minimal flattery on the scoreboard – when in actual fact for an hour this was a genuine contest which few would have been brave enough to predict.
No coincidence that the two games that Jana Niedermayr has started at the back have seen them concede just once in the combined first hours of those matches. Then seven times in the last half hours as they tired but, you know, one step at a time. The 3-4-3 formation was a revelation. Grace Smith had a killer game in midfield. Annie Foote’s anticipation in goal was top notch, especially when coming off her line to gather. Maddi Hughes got that elusive first goal of the season for her team. Charlotte Lancaster went close a few times to a second. Always love watching Central players who are younger and smaller than their opponents but jump into challenges twice as hard. Gotta remember that Springs have a perfect record. There will be easier tests for Central and if they play as well as they did in the first half then best be careful.
Let’s be honest though, Rina Hirano was the best player on the park by a distance. The Japanese playmaker was involved in all the best work her team produced with two goals and two assists. In a game where Springs had trouble both creating and finishing at times... Hirano was a leading light. Also a couple goals for Jess Innes means she’s scored in three straight games (and from midfield, no less). Hirano and Sofia Garcia are up to 4 assists each for the season which is tied for the league lead with Danielle Canham of Auckland United. Also funky note: they subbed on their reserve keeper Maddi Day near the end. This after giving Keely Taylor a cameo stint in goal last week off the bench. Means that Springs have used three different goalies. Fair enough. You can do that when you keep on winning.
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