Central vs Eastern Suburbs

This will not have been a game that the Central girls were circling on the calendar. First versus last on the ladder, with Eastern Suburbs having beaten them 8-0 in the reverse fixture. At least they were at home this time, at the lush Massey Uni fields, and were also coming off their best performance having been six (long) minutes away from beating Canterbury United... only to end up losing.

Central kept the back three shape from last week, ensuring that Jana Niedermayr, Lara Smith, and Kate Bennett could all start in their best positions. Grace Smith came into the midfield after a month out. Also Rebekah Trewhitt, who last week made her return from the U17 World Cup off the bench (scoring a penalty), was lifted into the starting team as well. No Holly Kleinsman who scored the first goal against the Cantabs and helped with the penalty. She was a notable loss.

As for Eastern Suburbs, following a comfortable 3-0 win over Capital they gave Kenya Brooke her first start at the back, Olivia Page (another U17 WC squadie) came into the midfield, Erinna Wong returned at left wing-back, plus Deven Jackson started for just the second time in the last five games. Juliette Lucas was also on the bench having not played for a month. Yeah, they’re pretty good.

Lara Smith fouled Nicole Mettam right outside the area on the left edge for the first big chance of the match. No holding back from Smith, as you’d expect, though it almost cost them a goal as Mettam pinged the free kick on target only for Annie Foote to make a quality save. Sadly for Central that was merely a momentary reprieve. Soon Tayla O’Brien picked up the ball in the box and turned in search of space. She found Deven Jackson who flipped it to Mettam... and Nicole Mettam stroked that thing home with her left foot. Too much room and it was 1-0 to Eastern Suburbs literally three minutes into the match.

Central were looking a bit disjointed at the back which goes against how they’d been playing the last few weeks and the improvements they’d made (that Auckland United game aside). Eastern Suburbs are different gravy though. Their movement is something else. Still, Central were doing the typical Central thing of going hard into every tackle – such as when Pip Coakley stepped in on Mettam at the by-line. Good challenge... even if Mettam seemed to land awkwardly and needed a bit of attention from the physio before returning. Jackson also angled infield for a shot that Foote was able to wrap her hands around.

While Mettam was down, Grace Smith wandered over the sideline to talk to coach Matt Calvert. Can’t tell you what Calvert had to say but whatever it was must have been good advice because minutes later Smithy scored one of the goals of the season. Took the ball off Findlay in the middle and cowabunga...

That parity didn’t last long. Soon afterwards Deven Jackson held the ball up front, worked a quick wall pass with Mettam, then drove into the area and shot. Foote seemed to have it covered with her parry but didn’t nake enough contact hence it dropped behind her for the goal. The Lilywhites back on top after 14 minutes, Deven Jackson with yet another goal.

Georgie Furnell had a great chance for Central drifting in from the right, faking a couple ways, then striking slightly wide of the far post. But that was a rarity. Next up Brooke’s header was tipped around the post by Foote. Jackson took the corner short to Mettam who whipped in for O’Brien... and TOB saw her header bumped onto the post by Foote. Unfortunately for Central, the ball then dropped casually for Olivia Page to guide it in from about half a metre out. 3-1 after 20 mins.

This wasn’t looking good for Central, not at all, but they were doing a few things on the counter attacking which is an improvement on the last time these two teams met back in week two – when they didn’t look capable of scoring until Charlotte Lancaster came on and started bombing them from range. Tessa Hyland whacked one on target, saved by Brooke Bennett.

Meanwhile Jackson turned on a Findlay pass and shot straight into Foote’s arms. The following chance she got, she made sure the radar was working. Flick-on from O’Brien and DJ put the laces through it with a class finish. Across the keeper where there was not stopping it. 4-1 after 32 minutes as Deven Jackson scored her second... and a second assist for Tayla O’Brien already too (that first touch, jeez).

We were still awaiting a goal for O’Brien, however. The league’s top scorer. She drilled one on target but Foote made the save. Mettam also lifted a chance over the top. Then Ella Findlay hit the crossbar side-footing a cross from Jackson over on the left wing. Eastern Suburbs usually play with a back three but with Central as deep as they were, the Lilywhites effectively pushed Findlay up into midfield with only Brooke and Van Dort hanging back. The ball-playing ability of goalie Bennett (a former Central player btw) also helped allow for that.

Oh yeah, about Tayla O’Brien’s goals, number fifteen was not long in arriving. Inevitable. TOB with a tidy finish high into the net against which Foote jumped a little too early to deny. This all following a clever cut-back from Nicole Mettam. 5-1 after 38 mins.

Central’s Lilly Dowsing almost got her head on a cross that could have pulled one back. Then Annie Foote did get her foot on an effort by Jackson trying to turn in an O’Brien cross. Looked for sure like a sixth goal but Foote’s reactions said nah mate thus 5-1 it remained heading into the sheds.

There was another strong save from Foote against Jackson to start the second stanza. Annie Foote will want a couple of those goals she conceded back but she also made some top notch stops along the way. Jackson hit the post about a minute later – inexplicable how she didn’t have a hat-trick already, and it wasn’t down to bad finishing either. This was relentless pressure from Eastern Suburbs who were in absolute control of the midfield. Central sat deep and defended with courage but when the shots are flowing as easily as this there’s nothing you can do but forget about the score and try go moment to moment.

Maddi Hughes did well to cut back past Byrne and get a shot away but she couldn’t keep it down. We were still seeing the occasional foray forward from Central. Meanwhile Suburbs went to the bench in the 54th, bringing on Zoe Benson and Charlotte Wilford-Carroll. Juliette Lucas followed ten minutes later. It really wasn’t getting any easier for the Palmerston North locals.

Fair play to Central, we were now fifteen minutes into the second half and there hadn’t been any change to the scoreline since the break. But they didn’t last very far beyond fifteen minutes. Before long, Benson got to the byline thanks to a smart pass from Jackson, then pushed the ball back centrally for O’Brien to further extend her lead at the top of the Golden Boot ranks. Another lovely goal. Tayla O’Brien continuing to put daylight on top of daylight between herself and any possible competition for the MVP trophy.

Lucas and Benson forced saves. Then Benson again. With twenty mins left, Suburbs even swapped out goalkeepers with Kate Payne making her fourth appearance of the term – three of them as a substitute. That’s only two games fewer than Juliette Lucas, who started the first five games but had been out for the last four. 72 mins gone here and she capped her return with a sharp striker’s finish after Lara Smith couldn’t deal with a cross from Kenya Brooke. Another sub, Charlotte Wilford-Carroll, then scored another cracking goal from outside the box. That’s what she does.

We were now up to eight. Could Eastern Suburbs make it to double figures? Nah, settle down. Lucas stung Foote’s palms with a hard one. Jackson slithered past her marker and into the six yard box but Kate Bennett halted her progress. Then Findlay ran onto another only Foote took it away before she could pull the trigger. O’Brien had Foote diving to stop another effort. Eventually Juliette Lucas did score her second in stoppage time, following up after Deven Jackson’s latest chance was denied again by another save. But that was that. 9-1 the final score. Eastern Suburbs roll on.

That, shockingly, is the third time that Central have conceded nine times in a game this season and they also let in eight the other time they faced Suburbs. Their two games against the Lilywhites ended in an aggregate score of 17-1. Not pretty. And there really isn’t too much to say. Annie Foote must have made about twenty saves and still conceded nine. They simply didn’t have the capacity for what Suburbs could do. Maybe a bit of demoralisation was also at fault after last week’s late defeat. Ah well, at least that one’s over and done with.

It turned into a walk in the park for Eastern Suburbs but that’s only because they’re so good. Nine more goals for the team that was already leading the pack in scoring. Let’s see, we had Deven Jackson with two goals and two assists, Nicole Mettam with a goal and two assists, Juliette Lucas scored two goals, Zoe Benson had two assists, and of course Tayla O’Brien scored two and set up two herself. TOB is up to 16 goals and 8 assists from ten games. Outstanding.

Canterbury United Pride vs Western Springs

These two teams partook in a wee bit of a thriller first time around, Western Springs shooting out to a 3-0 lead at home despite the Pride having some genuinely threatening spells, before Petra Buyck came on and scored a pair of blinders to have it end 3-2. The Cantabs running out of time in their comeback attempt. The Pride hit up this rematch on the back of consecutive wins for the first time this season... albeit against Capital and Central – and they needed a couple late goals to get the Central points having been 2-1 down with ten mins remaining. Not their finest work but a win nonetheless.

A few changes here for the Pride. Kendrah Smith returned at CB alongside captain Rebecca Lake, meaning Ellena Firth was back at right back. That Whitney Hepburn/Lauren Dabner midfield combo started its sixth game in a row so that was nice. Elsewhere Frankie Morrow returned to the frontline alongside Petra Buyck, making consecutive starts for the first time this year, and Charlotte Mortlock who was back after missing last week. Plus Canterbury’s top scorer for the championship winning Youth National League squad was Charlotte Roche offered her second start in a row having scored last week. However Chloe Bellamy was out with illness, having started every other game.

Western Springs got off the plane in Christchurch having failed to win any of their last three matches. Goals had dried up slightly against some strong opposition. So it goes. Sophia Dyer became their fifth different right back starter in five games (although she did start week one). Jess Innes also dropped to the bench with Lily Taitimu back in the midfield having played off the bench in the 1-1 draw against Southern. Those were the only two alterations.

You wouldn’t want to have gotten stuck in traffic on the way to the game because six minutes in it was already 1-1. First off Lauren Dabner lobbed over the top for Charlotte Roche, whose speed allowed her to latch onto the pass and then she thumped her strike on the bounce in just the third minute. Fine work from someone still at high school.

And yet three more minutes down and Emma Pijnenburg did one of those Emma Pijnenburg things to spin out of trouble then thread a mint ball through for Rina Hirano, who waited for the stars to align perfectly before squaring to Sofia Garcia who finished it off. Slick movement from all involved. Firth got a foot to Garcia’s shot on the line but wasn’t enough to keep it out. Already both teams had scored, crazy start. Two really flash goals too.

The Pride had come out of the blocks with purpose, whereas that Springs goal was their first meaningful chance. But after that strike things swung back for the Auckland side as they began to work the ball around swiftly. The Cantabs found themselves having to be more transitional... exactly the sort of game that offered plenty of work for the holding midfielders Hepburn and Taitimu. The energy remained high from the Pride but after the initial burst of goals it was a while until the chances resumed.

Pijnenburg whipped one on target after a Sammi Tawharu lay-off. No power on the shot but a nice move all the same. Then Lara Wall played a great one-two for CUP although her cut-back avoided all contenders. Dabner won a free kick only to punt the dead ball shot into the wall. Then a superb chip into the area by Hepburn found Roche on the move only for Lily Jervis to step in with a crucial foot. Now the Pride were getting it going again. Morrow slice a shot. Roche nodded wide from a mint Wall cross.

Except that just as the home side were sharpening their tools, Western Springs scored instead. A rare instance of WS keeping the ball in the attacking third (rather than their direct counters) led to some slick ins and outs before Taitimu flipped wide for Emma Pijnenburg who turned around the outside of Lara Wall and somehow got a snapshot off which nestled inside the far post. Another quality goal in this quality game.

That goal came in the 34th minute. There was still time for another one before the sliced oranges got passed around. The Pride were looking as dangerous as they had against an Auckland side all season and didn’t panic at going behind. Morrow had another shot on target. Roche almost got an effort away but Jervis stood her up and made the clutch tackle. A fine header from Lake only narrowly missed the target. And then Roche scored.

Yep, Charlotte Roche with her second. Morrow did well to charge onto a loose ball and keep Springs from clearing. That ball then ricocheted to Roche whose first time effort curled just in off the post. Looked like Angelique TuiSamoa misread it as she didn’t even move... though replays suggested it could have taken a slight deflection off Jervis which would explain that. Bit of leg spin on the bounce also helped Roche’s cause.

What that meant was a 2-2 scoreline at the break after quite possibly the best half of the Pride’s entire season. Sure they conceded a couple but they were playing a very strong team. Seemed to be a slight tweak in attacking shape too with more of a 4-2-3-1 style formation on display (with Roche up top, playing off the last defender). That helped get those forwards linking up in ways they hadn’t quite managed in previous games.

Meanwhile during the break the English Park crowd were blessed with the opportunity to see the victorious Canterbury United youth team being given their championship medals. Most of them anyway... since Charlotte Roche was busy scoring two goals and Ella McCann and Darsha Keoghan were preparing to be subbed on at HT. It may not have been too memorable of a season for the senior team but there’s no doubting the talent coming through. Seven wins from seven. 22 goals scored and only 2 conceded. And there was even a trio of Footy Ferns in town to help with the ceremonies – all former Pride players (Vic Esson, Meikayla Moore, and Gabi Rennie).

Again the Pride started with a buzz. McCann fed Roche over the top but TuiSamoa got out just in time. Lake headed over from a Dabner cross. Dabner also split two defenders to find Keoghan in the box but she struck wide on the turn. Then came a mean move from Springs which saw Lara Colpi work a give-and-go with Hirano then feed Garcia... who blasted high. Also Pijnenburg struck from a deep position off a corner, her attempt deflecting off Jervis before Hirano scooped it over. Two really excellent chances gone to waste by Springs’ two most accomplished attacking players, surprisingly enough.

The Pride pushed back with a few nudges at goal but nothing which tested TuiSamoa. Then Tawharu played Hirano in behind the CUP backline, beautifully done, beating the offside trap... only for Rebecca Lake to get in there with a legendary challenge. Just fantastic last-ditch defending. Soon Morrow sliced into the side-netting for the Cantabs from an opportunistic effort – gotta be honest, the one thing lacking for both teams was the finishing. Pretty iffy.

Carrying on, Wall blasted past her marked but also fired into the side-netting. Morrow did superb to get a cross in only for Sophia Dyer to intervene at the back post before TuiSamoa smothered the loose ball. Going back the other way, Hirano fed Garcia all the way through on goal and the American rounded the keeper... before realising the flag had gone up. Must have been close.

There were now less than ten minutes to go and all three results were realistic. Even aside from the ones that had gotten away, both teams would have one more massive chance to take the three points. Canterbury’s came first when Ella McCann slid onto the end of a cross from Lisa Evans only for Angelique TuiSamoa to make a jaw-dropping one-handed save to keep the scores even. One of the best stops all season...

Then Western Springs had their main moment as Pijnenburg showed strength to hold off Evans in her own half, then stepped forward into space where she saw Sofia Garcia already making a run for it. Pijnenburg’s early ball caught the Pride defence flat and SG was all over that. Dashing through and dribbling around the goalie, as is her trademark move, before popping the ball into an empty net. Huge shouts for offside from the defence... annoyingly the play unfolded from so deep that Garcia wasn’t in the frame as Pijnenburg hit the pass. Can’t therefore offer an opinion as to whether she was on or off... but the last one went against her so there ya go. 3-2 to Western Springs.

So, remember how the Pride had a late comeback to beat Central last week (including a stoppage time penalty winner)? If you’ve watched enough football then you know that the late drama giveth and the late drama taketh away. Ninetieth minute winner against them this week, spoiling what had been a top notch performance otherwise. Bit too sloppy on the finishing – though that was gonna be true of whichever team lost (and both if they drew). Charlotte Roche is a name you’ll wanna get to know very quickly. Two class finishes plus even at 16 years of age she’s got the strength and speed to be a menace in the National League. Rebecca Lake and Lara Wall were superb as always. And Lauren Dabner’s really settling into that midfield role now, alongside Whitney Hepburn who had a typically solid game.

But ‘twas Western Springs who departed with the points. Very useful win to maintain that buffer that they’ve got in second place, plus it ended that three-game winless spell. Sofia Garcia went six games without scoring prior to last week, she’s not got 3 goals in 2 games; 7 goals overall means she’s fifth on the ladder. Emma Pijnenburg has also crept into the top ten for assists with another one here to go with her nicely taken goal, plus she played a role in the first goal. Pijnenburg’s eye for an incisive pass is such a thrill. Also thought Sophia Dyer did well at right-back, hopefully putting an end to the merry-go-round that’s been there since Maggie Pedersen got injured. And cannot possibly understate that crucial 86th minute Angelique TuiSamoa save.

Capital vs Northern Rovers

Bit of televised action here at the Petone Memorial turf. Northern Rovers got back to winning ways last week with a Kelli Brown inspired second half comeback, ending a three-game skid. They’d won 5-0 against Capital in week two albeit thanks largely to a Michaela Foster hat-trick and they’ve since seen her move on up to the Wellington Phoenix. However as coach Ben Bate told the cameras pre-game, that opens up an opportunity for the next player in line as everybody takes a step forward. Bit surprised to see Suya Haering on the bench again and Talisha Green still at left-back. But that Alexis Cook/Kelli Brown/Rene Wasi trio was untouched and there was also a first start for 16 year old Mackenzie Longmuir in midfield.

Capital came into this game after a 3-0 loss to Eastern Suburbs with their only two wins coming against Central. There was that 4-4 draw with Auckland United but against the other three Auckland sides they’d lost all four games by a combined 15-1 scoreline. Hard yakka incoming against a Rovers team that seem to be regathering their touch lately. Only one alteration from the previous game and that was captain Zoe Barrott being fit enough to start alongside Caelin Patterson at the back, with Jayden Watts dropping to the bench as a result. Speaking of that Capital bench, must have been quite a glare...

Something something Wellington something on a good day something.

Made sense that Rovers got things underway with plenty of ball, playing a lot of the game in the Capital half. However the first proper chance came for Pepi Olliver-Bell going the other way as she ran in behind (great pass from Rebecca Otte) but, having taken a touch past the keeper Ellen Blount, she ran out of space and it escaped away for a goal kick.

Kelli Brown was getting touches and that’s always a worry for any defence. A clever ball down the line for Wasi. A shot that went slightly past the post via an unseen deflection. But Capital ensured that the first twenty-odd minutes were pretty even, with Nicola Ross getting up the right wing from fullback a couple times and Renee Bacon showing some intent.

However that all changed in a hurry when Molly Simons passed the ball straight to Rene Wasi who took one touch to settle and then calmly slotted the ball past Simons from just inside the area for the opening goal. About a minute later Mackenzie Longmuir had a crack from outside and although Simons got her fingertips to the shot she only succeeded in pushing it a little further into the top corner. Not a bad way for Longmuir to announce herself to the National League. Excellent goal.

The second goal was tough for Simons, she might have stopped it had she gone a split-second earlier but it was going to be tricky. The first was entirely on her shoulders. But that’s not who Molly Simons is as a keeper. More reflective was when she made a great save to push away a Greer MacIntosh header from a corner amidst further Rovers carnage. Chelsea Elliott also had a decent header while Alexis Cook had a shot blocked from a useful spot. Simons also did well to chop back past a pressing Brown, who seemed to tweak her ankle as Simons stepped past her. KB was okay though.

Rebecca Otte needed a check after colliding with MacIntosh, providing a much-needed break in proceedings for the home side who’d been evenly matched for the first twenty then found themselves getting pasted over the next ten mins. The pause did them good and they were able to slow things down the rest of the way to the half. Rovers were also content to move the ball more cautiously from the back after taking the lead. Bacon almost got through one time but for a heavy touch. At the other end Brown whizzed in a wicked cross that didn’t get the destination it deserved – Brown was working hard and drifting around to get involved but that often left them without a presence in the middle.

However barely two minutes into the second half Kelli Brown’s strategy paid off when she dropped deep and looped the ball over for Rene Wasi running into the area. Simons saved Wasi’s first attempt but the second was stylishly guided in with a stab of her right boot. Tidy work for Wasi’s second goal or the contest and her fourth of the season. Such an unselfish player, it’s about time she climbed up the Golden Boot standings a few spots.

That was a killer blow for Capital who’d made two attacking changes at the break with Danielle Ohlsson and Sammi Preval coming on. Rovers also did the same thing they did last week by throwing on young fullback Suya Haering at left back with Talisha Green swapping to the right. Haering almost scored her team’s fourth but she nudged her effort wide on the end of a sharp low cross from Brown, who was still mostly playing facilitator but very nearly scored after beating the offside trap from a Wasi pass only to smash the crossbar. Longmuir also had a long shot saved soon after, trying to repeat the dose from the first half. Rapid footy from Northern Rovers.

It was enough that, ten mins into the spell, Capital’s coach Maika Ruyter-Hooley figured there wasn’t much point in leaving Zoe Barrott out there if she wasn’t a hundy percent and the result already probably gone. On came Jayden Watts in her place. Meanwhile Dani Canham fizzed a shot on target... although there was also a decent header from Ohlsson that didn’t go far wide. Lena De Ronde ran onto a bouncer too but hit it way over. Then it was back to the other end where a sizzling run from Cook set up Brown with Simons making a strong save to turn that behind for a corner. From that corner Leanna Ryan struck wide on the spin from close range, only she couldn’t get her angles right or that woulda been a fourth.

Brown thumped another attempt slightly high. By the time we reached the final twenty mins, Rovers had used all five substitutions... the first time all Natty League that they’d done so. Only Southern United have still not done that. One of those subs was Shannon Henson... and guess who delicately turned home a fine cross from Talisha Green on 75’? Shannon Henson, obviously. Made a difficult finish, having to contort herself to get the right contact on a ball around hip height and slightly behind her, look pretty simple.

Olliver-Bell couldn’t do the same from an Ohlsson delivery just outside the near post. Back the other way Ryan pounced on a Brown cross to the back stick but hit the side-netting. Really good chance, Ryan will feel she should’ve buried at least one of her two big ones. Not that it really mattered. Northern Rovers did it pretty comfortably here on the way to a 4-0 victory.

Rene Wasi delivered two very timely goals. Her running is always great but her passing was up there too in this match. Kelli Brown didn’t score – though she had one last chance taking the ball away from Simons near the goal-line but Cara Chung blocked here at the last moment – but she did get an assist and should’ve had more in a strong performance spent largely in service of teammates. Also gotta pump up Talisha Green’s tyres after another excellent showing from the Rovers captain both defensively and also getting forward with an assist. Back to back games with an assist for TG. Also you can guarantee that coach Ben Bate will be stoked with the team’s first clean sheet since week three.

Weird thing is it didn’t feel like Capital played badly at all. A 4-0 loss is slightly better than the 5-0 loss away to this crew earlier on. Not enough chances created but there were a few where had they been sharper than they could have made this game friskier. One of their better midfield efforts, actually. Asha Strom, Lena De Ronde, and Rebecca Otte doing a lot of disruptive work. Nicola Ross is looking more confident at fullback. It was a heavy defeat but not too heavy. Onwards.

Auckland United vs Southern United

Last but not least was a very curious meeting between an Auckland United team that’s rediscovered a penchant for scoring goals – mostly since Ruby Nathan and Manaia Elliott returned from the U17 World Cup – but also seems to concede them equally as regularly... and a Southern United team that doesn’t concede very often and also only seems to score exactly as many as they need. Auckland Utd are in the Playing For Pride zone. Southern Utd are still a very good shot of finishing as the best of the federation teams. Last time they met it was a 7-0 win for AUFC yet the fortunes of each have swivelled in opposite directions since then. Copious goals versus stingy defence (and vice versa)... which would win out?

There was a new goalie for Auckland United. No Jesse Barnard and no Aimee Feinberg-Danieli meant that Rivalina Fuimaono was scouted to take the gloves... with no replacement on the bench. Bit of a concern given that they’ve already had to chuck an outfielder in goal once this season (thankfully that wouldn’t have to happen here). AU are the only team to have used three starting keepers this season... although Western Springs have used a third off the bench. To be fair, Fuimaono is at least a Samoan international. Elsewhere Georgia Martin was back at CB alongside Sophie Bradley with Jess Philpot therefore sliding to RB. No Aimee Barnard, neither of the Barnard sisters were available. Jenna Dodd joined the midfield crew. A few changes there. But most importantly the front three of Bree Johnson, Ruby Nathan, and Manaia Elliott that has been so good for them lately was untouched.

Southern welcomed Kelsey Kennard’s return at centre-back (alongside the immaculately in-form Hannah Mackay-Wright). That allowed Sarah Morton to start in the midfield alongside sister Rose - last week was only Sarah’s second start but she’s had some very influential showings off the bench. That in turn meant that Chelsea Whittaker moved into the front three with Margi Dias dropping to the bench. Toni Power also reclaimed her right back spot back having begun on the bench last week.

A long free kick from Philpot met Johnson dashing in behind but her first-time effort flew wide of the goal. Philot also had a shot herself while Alosi Bloomfield and Nathan both flexed their quick feet and silky touches amidst a bright start from the home side. Heading the other way, a lovely ball through from Power almost cut United up as Sarah Morton ran onto it but Fuimaono stole it from her feet, sharp goalkeeping. Kate Hannay then did similar to charge down Bree Johnson when it looked like a goal might be beckoning.

S.Morton put Kennedy Bryant into acres of space with a pass from inside her own half. Bryant dragged the shot pretty badly but that was not the first time that Southern had found heaps of room hitting them quick behind the fullbacks. Soon after that Whittaker worked a shot on her right foot inside the box but drove it over the bar.

And yet Auckland United did score first. Again it came via a long free kick from Jess Philpot. Mackay-Wright got her head to it but it skimmed behind her where Bree Johnson was hunting. Hannay saved Johnson’s first attempt but the ball bounced back off her and she recovered to slide home her second. In off the post, which deceived the retreating Hannay. Did look a lot like the ball had hit Johnson’s hand after the initial save but the ref disagreed. Goal given to Johnson... who reaches double figures with her tenth of the campaign. Second only to you know who.

That was a surprisingly soft concession from Southern United. You know what though? Within three minutes Sarah Morton had picked up a return ball from Whittaker on the run, feeding Kennedy Bryant on the other side of the defensive line, and KB did it easy from there to put that ball in the ol’ netty thing. Except the flag went up. Was definitely a hint of offside, thought she might have held her run just enough, but apparently not. The freeze frame game suggests it was probably the right call.

Auckland Utd got that offside trap right a couple more times towards the end of the half... yet the pressure was mounting. And in the 45th minute Southern scored one that counted. Again it was that movement behind the fullbacks, this time Chelsea Whittaker collecting the ball from Sarah Morton and squaring to Kennedy Bryant, whose clever lay-off to Morton had stared the move. Bryant swung her boot through it first time. Ideal placement. Good goal.

1-1 at the break. Sarah Morton then had the first chance of the second half running into the area and shooting high. Fun thing about Sarah Morton: always smiling. No matter what happens. Would have been positively beaming had Whittaker beaten Fuimaono to give SM an assist seconds later but it was straight at the keeper who pushed it clear.

Hectic beginnings to the half and we were only four minutes into it when Alosi Bloomfield was subbed off, Maia Vince replacing her in midfield. Dunno if that was injury-related or tactical but the pressure didn’t cease – Sarah Morton forcing Fuimaono into another stop, then an even better save against Prince following up. Another instance where Southern should have done better with their finishing. Issy Gerrand came on at right back for Auckland with Philpot sliding centrally. Coach Mauro Donoso clearly not enjoying the signs out there.

Ruby Nathan almost gave AU something but Rose Morton got back to get a foot in. Bree Johnson had gone close attacking a Philpot free kick just before. But then Jasmine Prince got free yet again down the right wing, Abby Rankin with a good ball to find her, and Prince’s low cross into the six yard box was tapped in by Kennedy Bryant... who one minute later completed her hat-trick with a long shot that Fuimaono couldn’t get across to in time. Not the best hit... but unlike her teammates she was getting them on target which was what counted. You can always trust a K.Bryant to back themselves shooting. Suddenly it was 3-1 to Southern.

Georgia Martin, who’d been the one AU defender really holding it down, got caught on the ball by Prince but Fuimaono plucked JP’s shot out of the air sharply. However Ruby Nathan also hit the crossbar with a dipper from outside the area, she’s getting a bit of a reputation for those kinds of shots lately. Almost but not quite got her team back in it. Donoso emptied his bench with a triple-change (Southern making sub #1 at the same time). 66 mins gone and zero AUFC substitutions remaining. Yet it was Southern’s one sub, Emily Morison, who then fed Chelsea Whittaker to make it 4-1. Assists in back to back weeks off the bench for Morison. And a first goal of the term for Whittaker, a Southern stalwart who’s started every game. Love it.

There was still a quarter of the match remaining at that stage though there were no more goals to be scored. Fuimaono nearly made a howler missing one through her legs as she bent to pick it up but Jess Philpot had her covered with the goal-line clearance. A bit later Philpot made an even better one, sliding in as Bryant thought she’d slotted a fourth. Good work from sub Margi Dias setting that up.

That’ll do. 4-1 to Southern United, the most they’ve scored in a game this season and still they’ve yet to concede more than once in a game since that week two thrashing against this same opponent. This win extends their unbeaten streak to five games. Kennedy Bryant’s been excellent for them this season, here she got the personal reward with three sweetly taken goals. Sarah Morton’s movement and Jasmine Prince’s pace were also huge factors. A few whispers on commentary that this may have been the last game for both Prince and also Hannah Mackay-Wright – if so they’ve gone out in style. Prince is apparently off travelling. Mackay-Wright has surgery booked in. Not only has MHW been playing absolutely brilliantly this past month but she’s been doing it on a sore ankle and a broken toe.

For Auckland United... not ideal. They took the lead but it quickly got away from them after that. There was a hefty wind blowing towards the goal Southern were attacking in the second half, yet that’s no excuse because it also suggests they didn’t take enough advantage of it in the first half. Ruby Nathan didn’t get the highlights this week but there was more than enough evidence of what a superb attacking prospect she is for anyone who hasn’t already been paying attention over the past month. Some massive defensive moments and some killer set piece delivery from Jess Philpot too. But this team has conceded at least three goals for eight games in a row now and you’re not winning bugger all like that.

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