Western Springs vs Central

Into the penultimate round of the season and there was one major issue that we were yet to sort out: who’d be joining Eastern Suburbs in the grand final. Realistically it was always going to be Western Springs but having lost last week they did allow an element of friskiness into the bargain. Luckily for them, Northern Rovers couldn’t take anything off Suburbs in response so all Springs needed to do on a sunny-ish early afternoon at Seddon Fields was beat last-placed Central and second place would be all theirs with a week to spare.

Of course, Central were coming off their first win of the season having defended stoically for ninety minutes and scored two outrageous bangers in a 2-1 comeback win over Southern. Whether they could repeat that away from home against a stronger opponent was doubtful... but you never know. Matt Calvert had his hands tied with only 13 players in the travelling squad. No Jana Niedermayr who was absolutely immense in that win. Also without Holly Kleinsman who has been their most consistent forward. No Isla Cleall-Harding who scored the first goal against Southern. Plus Annie Foote was absent, the keeper missing her first start.

In their places Sophie Campbell wore the gloves, carrying on from an excellent second half substitute appearance last time, Lara Smith returned at the back, plus Milla Green and Olivia Stewart made their first starts in the front three having previously featured a small handful of times off the bench. That was a lot of fluctuation considering that last week’s win coincided with the only time Central had been able to pick an unchanged eleven.

Western Springs made three changes themselves after a disappointing 3-2 loss to Capital. Keely Taylor got the nod in goal as Angelique TuiSamoa took a week off. Jess Innes came back into the midfield although Lily Taitiumu remained as the CDM with Rina Hirano instead playing further forward. Celia Mayo also swapped in at left back. Nothing too drastic.

Springs quickly got into their midfield work and Innes almost scored directly from a corner kick with a left-footed curler that dropped and spun just past the far post. Arisa Takeda also threatened pushing forward into the area but Campbell gathered it up at the second attempt. There were a couple of hints of Green trying to run onto passes down the right wing for Central but nah, didn’t quite get there. Otherwise it was Springs doing Springs things. Hirano was well blocked by Smith from a good position. Then Sammi Tawharu and Sofia Garcia were each too unselfish in trying to set the other up rather than shooting and that chance flickered out.

It wasn’t looking good for Central, friends. Not with Taitimu and Lily Jervis both pinging inch-perfect through balls down the right wing. Suburbs were in a mood to wreak havoc... and on 14’ they scored their first. Jess Innes collected a pass slightly outside the area and then shaped around both Maddi Hughes and Rebekah Trewhitt to find space to shoot, slinging that sucker low across goal for her sixth of the campaign.

And Springs were only getting started. Some unreal skill from Hirano on the right edge nearly set up Garcia at the near post but she couldn’t catch her shot properly. Then more Sophia Campbell prowess was on display when she made a brilliant close stop against a Tawharu powered header and then somehow scraped the follow-up from Hirano off the line. Appeals for a goal but Campbell definitely gathered that thing in time. Immediately following that came Central’s first opportunity as Lilly Dowsing snuck in behind and was about to unleash when Jaedeci Uluvili recovered to get goal-side and then block the shot. Great scrambling defence (even if the initial move had opened up way too easily).

Central conceded early against Springs last time they met but equalised midway through the first half and kept it at 1-1 until the hour mark... whereupon things unravelled in a hurry and they lost 5-1. That wasn’t gonna happen this time. 21 mins gone and Tawharu dinked a smart ball into the run of Rina Hirano who thumped in her first goal since a double in that previous Central meeting back in round five. She’s mostly played midfield since then and assists have still flowed so it wasn’t a tragic goal-drought or anything... but she’ll be stoked to get back amongst it. Convincing finish. No signs of any dipping confidence there.

Good work from Trewhitt and Smith to charge down Garcia from close range as Hirano continued to get whatever she wanted on the right wing. Never accuse Central of not getting numbers back. Their problem was not getting too deep so that they could keep up some pressure in the midfield. Takeda fizzed an effort from distance that went over via a minor deflection. Tawharu whipped a shot on target from a quick corner routine. Campbell hesitated with the save as Jervis ran across her path but LJ didn’t get a touch and SC was able to scoop it up. Then she parried a Garcia strike around the post after a lovely ball in behind from Innes. Campbell also made another diver to keep Garcia out after she’d cut back inside from the right. Sophie Campbell is 15 years old, by the way. Doesn’t turn 16 until February.

More class defending from Smith stopped Hirano from adding a second despite only collecting the ball about eight yards out. Got in the way then didn’t let her turn. And you could add another stunner to Campbell’s highlight reel as she denied Garcia with her feet one on one. Not a great finish from Garcia but still a top stop. Alas, there was nothing the young keeper could do on 43’ as Hirano got down the right side again and squared for Sammi Tawharu to tap in a routine one.

Sofia Garcia still couldn’t join the party as she had two more chances kept out by Campbell to ensure Central got to the break only down 3-0 when it very easily could have been double that. However Western Springs wasted no time in reasserting control as the second half got underway. Highlight of the first five mins being another strong stop by Campbell against Garcia. No joy for the American yet... but Rina Hirano was proving unstoppable and her second of the day arrived when she turned on Mackenna Chittenden and dispatched into the bottom corner. Also a second assist of the day for Tawharu.

A rare Central counter attack went awry when Hughes ran out of help, leading to an equally rare transitional Springs attack. Innes slid through beautifully for Garcia who drew the keeper out and then gave it her favourite move by dribbling past the GK... except she took it too far and the ball went out for a goal kick before she could nudge it home. Springs then made a couple changes with Sophia Dyer and Lara Colpi brought on for Uluvili and Tawharu. Dyer went up front while Colpi curiously played as a deep midfielder with Taitiumu going to centre-back. A new string to the bow for Lara Copli having mostly operated as an attacking mid or a winger.

Hirano slipped into a useful spot from a Takeda pass, looked like she was too far wide to shoot but she still managed to smack it off the near post. Gotta be careful though, because Springs then conceded a free kick about 35 metres out and if you were watching last week then you know that’s Tessa Hyland territory. Hyland absolutely went for it despite the distance... and rattled the crossbar. Hughes then volleyed over from a tricky height on the rebound. So close for Central.

Instead they leaked a fifth soon after. Dyer with space on the right. Got her head up and spotted Sofia Garcia in the middle. Sharp low square ball and Garcia finally finally finally got her goal tapping in from a couple yards out. Sophia and Sofia combining to beat Sophie.

Garcia was subbed off with her mission now complete. Helena O’Connor took her spot while Lisa Kemp also came in for Celia Mayo. Jess Innes crunched a long shot off the crossbar. Central finally went to their limited bench by making half their possible changes all at once... meaning that Christina Trewhitt joined the fun, one of the two available substitutes (disclaimer: it wasn’t actually much fun). At least Campbell kept up the funk with an outstretched save against Colpi, yet another impressive denial, though Takeda’s resulting corner kick was too sharp and Lily Jervis was able to head it home at the near post before ending up in the goalmouth herself. Mark it six. Holly Scott was introduced for Central in the aftermath thus emptying a bench which, to be honest, only really needed to be a chair.

The remaining fifteen minutes took place with very little jeopardy as Springs kept on pressing while Central dug in to keep this from getting too out of hand. They’ve had enough games conceding 8-9 goals already this year and didn’t want to add another. But Springs still got to seven when Emma Pijnenburg curled an excellent shot on target from just outside the box. Campbell put a big hand on it reaching backwards but couldn’t scrape it away. Hirano with another assist.

And then an even better strike from substitute Rhee Morrison. Left alone to collect a throw-in inside the area and she made that net swish with a sweet volleyed effort. A goal so good that it makes up for the fact that she was wearing one white boot and one black boot.

A final whistle would’ve been nice. This was all getting rather rude. A silky turn around the penalty spot from Hirano had her looking sure to complete a hat-trick only for Campbell to make another clutch save. However Campbo then dropped the corner kick and despite Lara Smith seeming to get it clear off the line it was awarded as a goal. The (men’s) World Cup has taught us that camera angles are deceptive when it comes to a football crossing a goal-line but damn have some sympathy in the 88th minute when a team’s already down by eight. Bloody hell. Officially it was logged as a goal for Jess Innes, who took the corner, her second of the day and seventh overall.

Pijenburg picked out Takeda in the area... and Campbell picked out another good save, granted not the best attempt from Takeda. It’s always hard to find the line between good saves and bad finishes, usually it’s a bit of both and that was the case there. That was the last big chance for double figures so at least there was that one small mercy for the travelling Centrallers.

A 9-0 final score in favour of Western Springs. They bounce back commandingly after an unlikely loss seven days earlier to tie the biggest winning margin of the year for any team and book their place beyond all doubt in the grand final. Rina Hirano was immaculate out there. An almost perfect attacking performance culminating in two goals and two assists. She was ably helped out by Sammi Tawharu and Sofia Garcia – although it took Garcia a lot longer to get amongst it than she’d have been happy with. Springs bossed it from start to finish. They were simply too good.

A harsh way for Central to plummet back down after their win last week. Again things got away from them in the latter stages of a game. Five of these goals were scored in the final half an hour. They’ve allowed 23 goals in the last third of matches this year which is more than Western Springs have conceded in total. Then again, that’s too far off the expected mark for a side that’s allowed 58 in 13 games all combined. There were plenty of promising moments scattered throughout this game but they can’t sustain it over ninety minutes and haven’t been able to all season. Still, Sophie Campbell. What a fantastic emerging goalkeeper she is.

Northern Rovers vs Canterbury United Pride

As this game kicked off, there was only about half an hour left in the first match and Western Springs were leading Central 4-0. We already know that one got a lot worse... meaning that Northern Rovers’ last remaining hope of making the final was goneskees. But this was still a big game. The Pride are arguably the form team in the comp right now and were actually only two points behind Rovers at kickoff. A win at McFetridge Park (on a seasonably, and thus unusual by recent standards, sunny Auckland afternoon) would send them up to third place ahead of Rovers, who themselves would guarantee third spot with a win no matter what happens next week. The best of the rest title was on the line.

Northern Rovers got funky with their set up against Eastern Suburbs in that exciting 4-2 loss. This time around they went back to their more usual 4-3-3 shape. Chelsea Elliott in defence. Maisy Dewell joined the midfield with Breeze Durham out. Rene Wasi also played deeper. Surprisingly Leanna Ryan was only on the bench having been one of their better performers against Subs and that wasn’t the only surprise as Courtney Noble started as the nine with Kelli Brown operating on the wing. Alexis Cook was the other winger. Looked like those wide attacking areas behind the Cantab fullbacks were going to be a priority.

Huge blow for the Pride when captain Rebecca Lake ruled out late due to illness. That caused a reshuffle with Ellena Firth moving to central defence while Frankie Morrow jumped off the bench to take over at right back. Whitney Hepburn wore the armband. Elsewhere Lauren Dabner returned to the eleven in the only other change to the team that started the 7-2 win over Auckland United. No place for Charlotte Mortlock after a double as a substitute in that one, she’d just have to do the same off the bench again, aye?

Interesting yarns as both teams employed a direct approach from the start. Nothing that quite aligned... until the tenth minute when Rene Wasi slipped a quality pass in behind the right back spot towards her own fullback Suya Haering overlapping and Haering carried into the box where she nutmegged keeper Una Foyle for the opening goal. One that Foyle will be disappointed with for sure. But consecutive games with a goal for U17 international Haering. Love to see it.

Five minutes later it was 2-0. Positive footy from Rovers up the right end of the park led to a lob over the top from Talisha Green which was headed in the wrong direction by Kendrah Smith. That allowed Alexis Cook to swoop in and slam home a volley. The first major ‘wish Rebecca Lake was here’ moment from the Cantabs (and it wouldn’t be the last).

Kelli Brown and Lara Wall were having a proper battle. Lots of shoulders involved, such as when Brown barged Wall over while she nurtured a ball over the sideline. Hepburn had a crack from miles out which dropped onto the net to give the Pride their first decent shot more than twenty minutes in. Then just as they were finally beginning to string a few passes together the Pride nearly leaked another goal as Danielle Canham collected a lay-off from Noble before swivelling around the defensive line to fire on target but Foyle had no dramas in denying her.

Brown got away with a pretty blatant push on Wall as that scrap continued. Wall later took out some of those frustrations upon Green trying to prevent a goal kick on attack. Good yarns. A knock for Ellena Firth allowed for a cheeky drinks break after half an hour – following all the rain of recent weeks playing in the sunshine was probably quite a weird experience. Firth ended up being replaced by Mikaela Hunt. Meanwhile Chloe Bellamy drilled a shot low towards the near post that Ellen Blount saved, this after Charlotte Roche had fed her through (about the only time we’d seen Roche able to play facing the goal so far). Petra Buyck pushed one past the post under close attention from her marker. Courtney Noble was booked chopping Buyck down around halfway a little afterwards. Some useful spells from Canterbury late in that half but Northern remained comfortable at the back. 2-0 was the half-time score.

Roche lashed an effort into the side-netting early second half. More of that and they’d soon be back into this contest. Yep, sure enough. A minute later Bellamy tried to work a shot from the edge of the box, drawing in three defenders as she manoeuvred before sliding wide to Charlotte Roche who’d drifted into the space created by that condensed defensive line. Roche’s shot took a deflection off Haering to wrong-foot Blount and that’ll do it. Officially credited as an own goal but regardless: the Pride were in business.

For about a minute... because then Kelli Brown found space on the right wing and although her shot wasn’t as rough as she was intending Una Foyle made a very uncharacteristic error spilling that thing out of her grasp to let Alexis Cook sneakily nudge in her second of the day. Big ol’ open goal to aim for.

But wait a second because then Lauren Dabner thumped in another goal for the Pride, striking a loose ball outside the penalty area which fizzed in beyond the reach of Blount. Canterbury had it back to 3-2.

But once more they were only within range for about two minutes. Foyle did well to punch Brown’s corner kick but Green’s miss-hit follow-up was poorly cleared by Smith, bouncing off her standing leg and rolling over to Rene Wasi who did what she had to do to make it 4-2. Four goals within eight minutes of the second half kicking off. Madness.

Folks were able to catch their breath after that splurge of goals, with Lottie Mortlock introduced for the Cantabs. A couple half chances and nothing more... until the 59th min when Ella McCann lifted a cross towards the back stick. Great ball from McCann and who was there to head it home but Charlotte Roche yet again. Unbelievable strike rate from the 18 year old. Eight goals in five starts.

Rovers retaliated by bringing on Mackenzie Longmuir and Leanna Ryan, two attacking subs made in the belief that the four goals they already had may not be enough. Ryan missed her touch with her first involvement (after the Pride had turned the ball over at the back leading to an overload) otherwise she might have scored straight away. Brown then had a great chance but surprisingly failed to beat Foyle 1v1. Unusual areas from KB. But she made amends straight away by chipping a tidy left-footer into the top corner after Wasi had won the ball high up the pitch again. Slight deflection, perhaps. 5-3 to Rovers with Brown now up to 11 for the season.

Rovers won a penalty with twenty to go. One of those National League specials that we’ve seen a lot in recent weeks, especially in the men’s comp. Defender lines up a clearance and then attacker steps in at the last moment and gets kicked instead of the ball. Chloe Bellamy was about to punt the ball to safety when Leanna Ryan surged in. To be honest... kinda looked like Ryan’s leading leg caught Bellamy first so an unlucky break for the Cantabs, should really have been a free kick their way instead. No doubt the Rovers bench saw it the opposite way. Talisha Green smoothly buried that thing into the bottom corner for the ninth goal of the match to equal what we’d already seen across town in the earlier fixture.

Chelsea Elliott had to leave the game with quarter of an hour left following a head clash, never what you want to see. Brief moment of panic for Whitney Hepburn who made a clutch challenge on Ryan in the box only to hear the whistle blow... but it was for offside not another penalty. Chuck in some more set piece drama as Lauren Dabner struck a mint free kick off the underside of the bar which then hit a diving Blount and bounced to safety. Later on Roche picked up the ball about 25 metres out, carrying it a few touches before lashing her attempt slightly off frame. Then another one except she’d pushed off on Talisha Green for a foul.

Final score was 6-3 to Northern Rovers. A bonkers game of football, particularly that start to the second half. The Pride were unlucky with the penalty but were much more unlucky to lose Rebecca Lake to illness because too many crucial defensive errors crept into their game without her. Errors which had scourged them earlier in the season but which had mostly been eradicated since.

Another goal for Charlotte Roche even in a game where she wasn’t nearly as involved as she’d have preferred. Might have been given that own goal too although to be fair it was probably getting saved without the deflection. Ultimately lots of preventable goals were what killed the Pride here and ruined their chances of sneaking into third.

Third place instead goes to Northern Rovers. They earned it. Had to battle through a lot of player movement over the season same as a lot of teams but have maintained a steady core which has seen them right. Rovers’ only defeats have been against Eastern Suburbs (twice) and Western Springs. A couple other draws meant no grand final but so it goes. Two goals for Alexis Cook in this one using her pace to get into great spots. Suya Haering scored again (in both nets this time). A goal and assist for Kelli Brown. Rene Wasi was superb with a goal and two assists. It was a solid performance in which they were gifted a few chances but showed ruthlessness in taking them. That includes twice scoring within minutes of conceding – ideal responses. Good areas for Rovers, who’ll close their season out at home to Southern United next week.

Southern United vs Eastern Suburbs

Onto the Sunday slate and it wasn’t very likely that we were going to see that nine goals per game rate continue, although you’re a fool to walk into any game with concrete expectations in this league. Case and point being these very two teams. Last week Southern’s six-game unbeaten streak came to an abrupt halt when they lost to the bottom team. Meanwhile Eastern Suburbs won ten games in a row looking unstoppable until they ran into Canterbury United on a rainy arvo in Auckland and got dumped 2-1. They did bounce back with a strong win over Northern Rovers last week though.

To be fair to Southern, they dominated that game against Central but just couldn’t put the damn ball in the net a second time and got snapped by a couple incredible goals back the other way. Very unlucky how that turned out. Replay the exact same game ten times and they’d probably win nine of them. Gotta admit they missed the presence of a few of their regulars though – this is not a deep squad so when Hannah Mackay-Wright, Jasmine Prince, Kate Hannay, and Toni Power all didn’t feature it limited them just enough to give Central a chance.

They were going to have to be a lot better against Suburbs. HMW and Prince won’t return this season but they did get Hannay and Power back in the team. Good chat. They were without Samantha Woolley at left back, missing her first start of the campaign, so Freya Partridge-Moore got start number tahi of the campaign. Otherwise it was the same crew as last week given the opportunity to make some amends.

Eastern Suburbs clinched first place with a fortnight to spare by winning last week so they understandably didn’t risk everybody for the trip all the way down to Dunedin. A whopping four changes from a winning team, how about that? Goalie Brooke Bennett sat on the bench as her backup Kate Payne made her first start since week one. Ella Findlay did the same although that only meant that Saki Yoshida returned to the eleven having played off the bench last time. There was no Deven Jackson at all therefore Zoe Benson joined the front three. Kenyah Brooke made her second start. Rachel Head was initially named on the bench but ended up starting ahead of Arya Blackler instead. Aimee Atkins swapped in for Erinna Wong at left wing-back for the final contrast. Juliette Lucas got the gig up front against her old team.

Sneaky signs from Southern as Chelsea Whittaker popped a shot wide from inside the penalty area within the opening minute. Then in the second minute they almost scored a remarkable goal when Sarah Morton slung a perfect long ball to the feet of Emily Morison who flipped it around the corner into the run of Abby Rankin... but Payne stuck out a foot and made the save. The Lilywhites slowed things down with some deliberate possession as heartbeats settled back down around Logan Park. Then Margi Dias played a sharp ball down the channel for Kennedy Bryant peeling right and her cross looked spot on for Whittaker running in only for Whittaker to get her feet tangled and miss the ball entirely.

Olivia Page pulled up sore for Subs and had to be replaced after nine minutes so Erinna Wong took her position at right wing-back. Definitely not the start that Suburbs will have envisioned. Usually they’re incredibly fast out of the gates, scoring a large chunk of their goals inside the first twenty minutes, but here they could hardly get out of their half such was peskiness of the Southern press. Suburbs kept the faith and found a bit more space via quicker ball movement yet as we ticked past that 20:00 mark the only things even resembling chances for ES had been a very long range shot from Tayla O’Brien and a sliced cross from Atkins that swerved on target.

Southern’s chances were also becoming scarcer now but their back four was sliding nicely and condensing things with that undeniable Southern Spirit on display. Completely locked in and giving everything for the cause. From Hannay launching at the feet of Lucas to steal the ball away to Partridge-Moore hurling herself through the air to concede a throw instead of a corner kick. That’s a youngster making her first start and giving no regard for her own safety in order to make an effort play. Passion is contagious.

Kelsey Kennard and Rose Morton were having especially good games... and they needed to because Eastern Suburbs were doing more than politely knocking at the door. Juliette Lucas smashed one on the turn that only just dodged the target with Hannay diving full stretch. Benson also stabbed an effort towards goal from slightly outside the box, on target but lacking in power. Full credit to the Eastern Suburbs defence which was also putting in work on the front foot. Rebekah van Dort was personally responsible for busting up a couple of counter attacks.

A tasty flick from TOB guided Benson into a shooting area but Hannay was alert to slap that thing away at her near post (unless it actually hit the post, hard to tell from the livestream). Then she fell upon O’Brien’s header from Wong’s subsequent delivery back in. You thought that was close, some persistent work from Power on the right wing ended up with Rose Morton slipped a clever short ball to Margi Dias... whose shot was deflected onto the woodwork. RVD with the crucial intervention as Dias otherwise probably woulda scored. A huge chance for each team right before the half-time whistle.

0-0 at the break... guess how many halves Eastern Suburbs have been kept scoreless in this Natty League season? Three. That’s three out of 25 as it stood here. There was the second half of the 1-0 win over Southern when these teams first met. There was the second half of the 2-1 loss to the Cantabs a couple weeks ago. Now there was the first half of this match.

Suburbs threw on Nicole Cooper at HT in the quest to prevent a fourth scoreless half this season. Tayla O’Brien was also ready to make things happen, dropping a shoulder as a throw-in came her way to create room for a shot that smacked into Kennard... who then rushed out to block Lucas. Van Dort punted a leftie effort on target. Eastern Suburbs weren’t waiting to find out.

Unfortunately with 53 minutes gone Tayla O’Brien ran head-on into Kelsey Kennard in the midfield. A big collision between two competitors and a painful one for TOB who was instantly replaced by Ella Findlay. Not gonna risk the MVP-in-waiting when grand final qualification is already secure. She was able to walk off unassisted so hopefully it was just a stinger and nothing serious. TOB had the ice pack strapped to her ankle on the bench. In the meantime her team were just going to have to chase this game without her (and without Deven Jackson – their two creative powerhouses).

RVD whipped another effort vaguely off target stepping forward. Cooper’s shot from a Wong cross was blocked (by Kennard of course). Then finally they found a way through. Mettam crossed over to Aimee Atkins who turned past one challenge as she controlled in the area, then pushed past another before crunching a shot into the roof of the net. Expertly done and Eastern Suburbs led 1-0 in the 61st minute. Took some time but there it was.

So... remember how Central came back against Southern via a couple of brilliantly unlikely goals? Yeah well National League karma has a curious way of evening out in the long run and when a Sarah Morton deep free kick was only headed away as far as Emily Morison, the Southern midfielder figured she’d lift it high back into the box again. Morison got right underneath it and sent that ball into orbit... and with the wind playing its part that thing drifted and dropped and beat a retreating Kate Payne to land over the goal-line. An outrageous and surely accidental equaliser... but as Bob Ross would tell you there’s nothing wrong with a happy little accident.

Suburbs were going to have to find another one. Cooper had helped tie things together since joining the game, drifting between the lines in a Deven Jackson-lite impression. Then Ella Findlay worked her way into the danger zone via a one-two with Yoshida... but rolled her ankle in the process. This was a bad one. Findlay was in heaps of pain and unlike O’Brien would need to be carried off the pitch by a couple teammates. Not good. At that point coach Stephen Hoyle would probably have canned the last fifteen minutes and left with a draw if he’d been given the option, just to ensure the injury plague stopped then and there.

Problem was they couldn’t replace Findlay. The Lilywhites had already used three sub windows but one of them was made at half-time which doesn’t count, so it’s not like they were prohibited. They simply didn’t have anyone left to bring on. The two remaining players on their bench were Arya Blackler and Brooke Bennett. One was a late scratch from the starting line-up and thus was already injured. The other is a goalkeeper. Could’ve done a reverse Auckland United and put the keeper on as an outfielder but then she’d have to find a new kit and they’d have to figure out where to play her and it’d all get complicated (assuming it’s even allowed). So instead they simply finished the game with ten women.

A cross from Mettam on the left didn’t sit up for Wong, while there were also a couple corner kicks for Suburbs. Atkins curled a free kick on target aiming for the near post which Hannay bumped into as she grasped her hands on that shot. All the while Findlay was still getting physio attention off the pitch at that end. Southern’s plan was to push the ball in behind and keep running although most of those ended up rolling through to settle in Payne’s gloves. On came Zara Pratley, the only substitute that SU have used in consecutive weeks (and they didn’t make a sub at all the game prior).

It remained 1-1 as we ticked over the ninetieth minute. Van Dort skipped past a pair of challenges to fire another close one wide. Partridge-Moore bought a lottery ticket from distance but didn’t get a winner. But Chelsea Whittaker did. Yeah she did. Collecting the switch from Toni Power isolated on Van Dort, there was no way past the Subs captain but she did have room to cut back in onto her right boot... and make it go swish with a superb finish. 92 minutes gone and Southern United had taken the lead against the top team in the motu.

Mettam was able to roll out of a challenge and shoot but didn’t get enough on it to test Hannay. No time for anything else. Final score 2-1 to Southern United. You lose to the bottom team one week then beat the top team the next, how good is the NZ National League?

Absolutely outstanding work from Kelsey Kennard at the back while Rose Morton and Chelsea Whittaker were very good. And can’t overlook the Kate Hannay factor. In the nine games that Hannay has started, Southern have won five, drawn four, and lost one (16 goals scored, 7 conceded). In the three games that Hannay has not started, Southern have lost all three (2 goals scored, 15 conceded). Slightly misleading stat since Hannay did play the second half of week two and conceded four of those goals. But only slightly, because that contrast is massive and losing to Central without her only reinforces it.

Would Southern have won this had Suburbs finished with eleven players? Maybe, maybe not. The goal came about from a bit of space in transition which may not have been possible with a fully stocked midfield... plus you’d have to imagine the Lilywhites were mentally kinda drained from seeing so many injuries to teammates. This was a disaster trip to Dunners. Arya Blackler ruled out before kickoff, Olivia Page exiting early on, Tayla O’Brien limping off second half, and then Ella Findlay looking like she could have suffered a pretty brutal one later on. The result is disappointing but doesn’t really have any consequence. If they’re to lose a few of those players for the grand final, particularly TOB who has been the top performer across the entire competition this year, then that’s a far worse fate. We pray it ain’t so.

But shout out to Southern for a resounding bounce-back performance full of all that typical Southern grit. Every team that has played them twice has conceded at least five total goals against Suburbs... except Southern who only allowed two – one in each game. Oh yeah and by virtue of the head to head split over Canterbury United... this win means that Southern United claim the imaginary Federation Cup if they can match the Pride’s result in the final round. The best of the feds. Southern are away to Northern Rovers. Canterbury are at home to Capital.

Auckland United vs Capital

Over to Keith Hay Park in Auckland for the last game of the penultimate round where Auckland United were attempting to stop conceding so many bloody goals. At least three conceded in ten consecutive games, including seven last week amidst goalkeeper dramas (outfielder Maya Vince having to don the gloves for the second time this season). That’s not gonna win you very many games... frustrating thing is they’re scoring enough goals to win games, they just can’t score them at the rate they concede them. But matches against Capital and Central to close the term do appear to give them a realistic possibility to finish on a high note. Last time these two teams met it was a 4-4 draw. More where that came from, please.

Auckland United were boosted by keeper Aimee Feinberg-Danieli recovering from last week’s knock to take her place between the sticks. They also called up Jennifer McMurray to start at right back, only her third start of the term. Jess Philpot therefore partnered Georgia Martin at the back with Sophie Bradley moving into a defensive midfield spot. The rest of the team was unchanged – remember they were only 2-1 down against the Cantabs with an hour gone in that match prior to the goalkeeping change. On that note: Rivalina Fuimaiono was on the bench. A reserve goalie! What a blessing.

Capital beat Western Springs last week in what was the upset of the season for about 24 hours until Central beat Southern and trumped them. Made great use of the wind in Wellington and scored some timely goals. They were without the services of Pepi Olliver-Bell so Rebecca Otte took her spot in the front line. Molly Simons also returned as goalkeeper with Katia Brown slipping back to the bench. Those were the only two changes. Also, didn’t get a good shot of it with the cameras on the same side as the benches at this ground but yes the sunglasses on the bench did continue. At this point it’d be bad luck to stop.

Manaia Elliott and Ruby Nathan each got touches in dangerous areas in the opening stages. That’s what the home fans wanted to see. Probably less so Maya Vince getting called for a handball, must have been muscle memory from those goalkeeping cameos. Speaking of goalkeeping, it wasn’t Molly Simons’ finest moment when she misplaced a pass out from the back directly to Elliott who then burst past Zoe Barrott’s attempted tackle, staying on her feet as advantage was played, and blasted a shot that Simons dove over the top of. Good direct work from Manaia Elliott. Very avoidable fourth minute concession from Capital.

Olliver-Bell’s absence was felt when Nicola Ross made a sizzling burst up the right edge only to have to turn and pass backwards with nobody to cross to in the middle. Up the other end Caelin Patterson picked up a yellow card after only eight minutes as she tripped up Bree Johnson on the run. Then a bit more Elliott panache saw her dribble past two markers on the right wing before her low square pass was cleared away. Didn’t lead to anything substantial but the run was magical.

As was the pass from Olive Lynch-Gerrard as Capital suddenly blitzed their way to an equaliser. From defence to attack in an instant, Lena De Ronde poked the ball free near her own penalty area and then OLG threaded through for Renee Bacon who was already on the move. That wonky Auckland Utd backline again getting got against a through ball, same formula that the Cantabs used against them. Bacon might have scored herself but took the generous option in squaring for Rebecca Otte who thus had the simplest tap-in imaginable. Back even after 15 minutes.

Vince side-footed a McMurray cross on target but directly at Simons. Bacon dragged a shot past the near post. Both teams were sniffing further goals. Nathan cut one back from the by-line which rolled all the way back to the edge of the area where Penny Brill had a punt for another simple Simons save. Capital kept plugging away with crosses from that right edge but it was United who were almost celebrating when some slick Nathan work fed Bree Johnson angling in from the left. BJ held off her marker but slid her finish achingly wide across goal as she bore down upon the six yard box. Nathan literally did the old: “yes... oh no not quite” stunted celebration thing. Must have been a touch from the toe of Simons because a corner kick was given. If so: incredible save.

With half an hour gone, Capital took the lead. They continued to spend the bulk of their energies on that right wing area and this time Renee Bacon went with the high looper of a cross, struck first time as De Ronde laid the ball into her path, and it wasn’t how she envisioned her fifth goal of the season going in but it hovered over the top of Feinberg-Danieli and then plummeted under the bar before she could recover. From one goal down after four minutes to 2-1 up after thirty.

Bacon almost one-upped herself as her corner kick glanced off the front of the crossbar. Then an amazing chance for Capital as a long ball towards the penalty area was delicately touched across by Ross, perfectly setting up Otte from about the penalty spot only for RO to push it the wrong side of the upright. Bacon couldn’t reach a cross from Otte a little afterwards with a hint of offside. Auckland United were in a tricky position... so Ruby Nathan turned Zoe Barrott down the wing (no easy task against one of the nation’s best defenders) before slipping an inside ball to Manaia Elliott who was fouled by Patterson. Penalty. No doubt about it. In fact Patterson was kinda fortunate to avoid a second yellow card. It wasn’t a card-worthy challenge but penalties often do come with that double jeopardy outcome.

Ruby Nathan placed the ball on the spot... and missed. Looked like it trimmed the outside of the post on its way wide, Nathan placing it low to her left but getting the angles slightly wrong. It happens. Let off for Capital, who could have been up by a couple or they could have gone into the sheds all level. In that light they’d have settled for a 2-1 lead as the orange slices were passed around.

Amy Price replaced Olive Lynch-Gerrard when the teams emerged for the second half. Pretty soon Otte had punted a pass over the top towards Dani Ohlsson who didn’t back herself for pace or else she might have gotten clean through on goal. Similar problem for Otte herself after Capital pressed and won the ball high up the park but Otte shot from outside the area rather than having the confidence to get any closer.

About a minute later Auckland United subbed on Alosi Bloomfield and there is a trend of AUFC being way better when Bloomfield is on the park (injuries haven’t always allowed for that sadly). Next thing, Nathan was dropping a shoulder again to turn past a marker – fast becoming one of her trademark moves – and she whipped a cross towards the back stick... where Bree Johnson couldn’t get a foot on it. Okay that one didn’t work out... but not so long afterwards Bloomfield chipped a clever one into the area where Bree Johnson was ready to roll. Simons got her angles a bit wonky but Johnson was gonna stick that thing past her no matter what. Lucky 13 for the season, second only to Tayla O’Brien’s 17 goals.

That made it 2-2. Auckland United brought on Emmelin Bowala and Issy Gerrand to chase the victory, with Ruby Nathan curiously being one of the players replaced (along with Maya Vince) just as Nathan seemed to be getting into her stride. Then again, it was Manaia Elliott who’d been bossing this thing from the start. A long ball from Bloomfield gave Elliott something to chase and she made up huge ground to get there before Patterson and force Simons into a challenge outside her area. That didn’t go well. Molly Simons has had some excellent performances this season but this won’t be one she remembers fondly. Sent off after 62 minutes... her second red card of the season. Stink buzz. She’ll be suspended for next week so that’s her season done and dusted. Katia Brown was subbed on in her place.

Brown fumbled a shot from Bowala but did well to save Elliott’s follow-up. Then followed an excellent save to keep Ross’ misplaced defensive header from sneaking inside her post. An air-swing from Georgia Martin wasted a great chance from an Elliott cross. Then Brown did the same against a Manaia Elliott free kick that looped over the top of her and in to give United the lead. Well, it had been coming. Capital down to ten players and scraping by under pressure, something was gonna snap eventually. 70 minutes gone and 3-2 to Auckland United.

In that instant it was hard to envision Capital getting back on terms again. But actually it only took ten seconds from the kickoff to where they absolutely should have. Bacon slipped a sharp pass behind the line and AFD rushed out only to get beaten to the ball by De Ronde. Feinberg-Danieli’s willingness to leave her area and sweep behind the defensive line had been very helpful in this game but on this occasion the pass was too precise. LDR held off the challenge of Martin and only had to push that thing into an empty net from about ten yards out (albeit with Emma Leaming hunting her down) and she missed. Sliced wide with her left boot. Hate to say it but that was an open goal gone begging.

AFD hoovered up a ball in behind intended for Otte. The United keeper needed two goes to get it into her hands but no dramas. AUFC might have done well to sit deeper and cut out that space behind their line given what an achilles heel it’s been for them, though you also have to respect them continuing to feed Johnson and Elliott as much as they could. Elliott went close with a lefty strike over the bar. Then again, so did Otte at the other end only her attempt went wide instead of high. But there weren’t actually very many more chances. Jess Philpot came up huge to dispossess Bacon near the very end. The game ended 3-2 to Auckland United.

Seriously, you could roll a pair of dice and whatever two numbers came up would’ve make an accurate scoreline in this game. A 6-6 draw? Yeah, it could have been. Or anything else from there on down. United won it by finally keeping a team to fewer than three goals again and it will have been pretty easy to dish out the player of the day award to Manaia Elliott having scored two goals, won a penalty, and also drawn a separate foul that got the oppo keeper sent off. She may be tiny but she’s deceptively quick and strong and didn’t captain the U17 World Cup team by accident.

Bloomfield made a real difference when she came on. Feinberg-Danieli wasn’t flawless but she had some key moments for a team that’s had more than its share of goalkeeping issues this season. Johnson and Nathan were dangerous as always. This right here snapped a four-game losing streak for United – Capital lost their first four games and otherwise only Central have had a losing streak as long. Also guess what? This win sends Auckland United ahead of Capital on the table thanks to both goal difference and the head to head split.

Guts for Capital... but they had the chances to win this one and didn’t take them. Even after their keeper was sent off they still did things. Oh what they would have given for Pepi Olliver-Bell’s speed a few times there. Renee Bacon was their best while Asha Strom and Nicola Ross did some impressive work. Overall they’ll be pretty bummed to have flown back to Wellington with nothing to show for their trip.

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