Capital vs Eastern Suburbs

Aaaand we’re back, a new season of National League footy. To lay it all out, these roundups should be out every Monday/Tuesday or so. Could be on the later side of that estimation once the men’s comp turns up in a weeks and there are suddenly nine games to watch per weekend. Also probably gonna do team of the weeks in our Substack newsletter (either Monday or Friday editions depending on how soon I’ve managed to watch all the games), same as last season, so definitely subscribe to that bad boy for those ones. Plus always serving up highlight clips and the like on our Twitter and Instagram pages. Pretty confident nobody will be covering this National League season like The Niche Cache will be covering it. Chip in on our Patreon if you appreciate the mahi.

On with the matters at hand now, and for the first time in the women’s competition there are club teams competing. A hybrid version where the northern regions are represented by club teams but the central and southern regions still have their four federation teams. So it’s fitting that, on a sunny Saturday afternoon in Petone, we kicked off the 2022 season with a meeting between a federation team and a club team.

Capital Football, under new coach Maika Ruyter-Hooley, lined up in a 4-3-3 formation with Molly Simons in goal, a back four of Caelin Patterson, captain Zoe Barrott, Jayden Watts, and Cara Chung. In midfield were Lauren Owen, Lena De Ronde, and Asha Strom. Then Renee Bacon and Rebecca Otte on the wings with Pepi Olliver-Bell playing as the central striker.

Very different team to last year. The emergence of the Wellington Phoenix Academy and also the usual USA college moves have raided a few familiar names, but Simons and Olliver-Bell did start every game in 2021 while Owen, Watts, and Barrott also played significant parts last time. Breaking that XI down further, we had five players from Wellington United, three from Waterside Karori, two from Petone, and one from Seatoun.

As for Eastern Suburbs, it was tough to gauge a formation when their style was so fluid and full of pass-and-advance stuff. But best estimates are a 3-4-2-1 or something similar. Kate Payne in goal. Rachel Head captained them from the back with Lucy Carter and NZ U20 World Cup squadie Ella Findlay alongside her. Erinna Wong and Olivia Page were the wingbacks. Tayla O’Brien and Saki Yoshida locked it down in the middle. Then Nicole Cooper and Zoe Benson supported striker Juliette Lucas. Eastern Suburbs were the top scoring team in the NRFL Premier division and had four of the top five individual scorers... although only two of them started this one: Lucas and O’Brien.

The Lilywhites got things underway in a hurry by pressing high and winning a few corner kicks. Cooper headed wide from one of those. Benson had a shot tipped over the top after they’d won the ball on the press. Then in only the fourth minute of the new season a lovely corner delivery from Lucy Carter was met by Tayla O’Brien and there was your opening goal. Simple as that, nicely done.

Watts had to whip out a sliding block soon after to keep it at one... pretty much the entire first ten minutes took place in Capital’s defensive half. But a good low cross into the area by Bacon suggested that Capital did have a bit of pizzaz up front when they could advance things and to be fair they were a lot better after that initial foray. Held the ball more confidently. Steadied the game. And in the 18th minute Pepi Olliver-Bell dashed onto a ball in behind, getting there a step ahead of keeper Kate Payne, who did still get a foot on the ball but only succeeded in kicking it into POB and from there it rolled casually over the line. Olliver-Bell looked a bit bashful at the method of the goal but it was her speedy determination that earned it.

That set up a really fun rest of the half. Bacon drilled a shot across goal for Capital. Suki Yoshida and Tayla O’Brien were absolutely everywhere for Suburbs. O’Brien put a mean cross in after dashing up the right wing on a counter attack – again, the fluid nature of the Lilywhites meant a central midfielder could find themselves crossing from the right wing – and that almost caused the next goal as Asha Strom’s sliding interception scooped the ball up onto her own crossbar. Phew. Although no time to exhale because another great Carter corner delivery saw the ball bobble around in the area and O’Brien poached that sucker from inside the six yard box. Another goal from a corner for Eastern Suburbs.

It was nearly 2-2 at the break. That Suburbs fluidity allowed for a lot of stepping up in possession from central defenders and wing-backs getting well forward... which did leave them quite open in transitional play. Right at the end of the half, Bacon picked up the ball in exactly that kinda area and fed in Olliver-Bell... but 1v1 with Payne her shot went narrowly wide.

Juliette Lucas shot past the post on the spin for the first major chance of the second half. Not too many other shooting opportunities for the team’s top scorer although she was heavily involved in some excellent build-up play from the Lilywhites, including some slick one-touch stuff. Both teams went to the bench with double changes after the hour mark. And then: drama.

What happened was that Simon dwelled on the ball a second too long and Carter took it off her. One of those subs, Deven Jackson, then unleashed a shot with her very first touch and it was heading in for sure when Simon put a hand up and took some of the heat off to allow Watts to swoop in and clear it before it crossed the line. But Simon was outside the area. Red card. Off ya go. Katia Brown had to come on as a reserve goalie... and was instantly involved in saving Carter’s shot from the free kick (which, pretty sure should have been indirect? Might not have counted in that case).

This was a well-poised game until the red card. Suburbs were a little more progressive but it was only 2-1 and Capital had that threat up top. Then came the red. Soon afterwards another corner was headed in by Tayla O’Brien for her hatty. One small movement at the back post and she was wide open. 66 minutes gone at that point. In the 75th minute O’Brien made a magnificent run from the right edge and somehow managed to stab a shot in from a tight angle at the end of it. Wonderful goal. 4-1 to Suburbs and all four were scored by Tayla O’Brien. How about that?

No more goals in this one although there were some moments. Payne had to be sharp to palm away a Bacon attempt. Jackson did slide one home after an O’Brien feed but it was offside. Some quick feet by Olivia Page got her into a shooting position but that one was saved. O’Brien tried for a fifth on the cut but saved again, well held by Brown. And in the final few seconds Page was picked out open on the right and couldn’t beat Brown, who then made a low stop to deny O’Brien on the rebound (good confidence booster for Brown who’ll presumably be starting while Simons is suspended). 4-1 to Eastern Suburbs was the final score.

Funny story... despite how it panned out it genuinely felt like the Capital central defensive pair of Zoe Barrott and Jayden Watts were really good. Broke up heaps of play. Strong in their tackles. Good with the ball at feet. Suburbs certainly had chances from open play, can’t deny that, but three of their goals came from corner kicks and the other was a mazy run that started on the right wing. The red card was an error by the goalie. Definitely wanna work on set pieces during the week but they didn’t really get carved from open play until after the sending off. Plus Bacon and Olliver-Bell showed enough that they’ll be able to worry any team in this league.

But Eastern Suburbs had the workrates of Yoshida and O’Brien helping them control that midfield and with their swarming off-ball movement and set piece prowess they tightened the screws until the screwdriver snapped. O’Brien was outstanding. An easy player of the day... and she’d have been in that conversation even without the four goals so with them, she was undeniable. Next level. Really like the mix of youth and experience that Suburbs have in their squad. An eventful game to get the season underway.

Canterbury United Pride vs Central

Down the line at English Park in Christchurch we had the familiar meeting of Canterbury and Central. In the South Central Series, this fixture ended up as a 5-0 Cantabs win on both occasions. A familiar looking Pride team lined up here, lots of continuity from recent seasons as you’d expect from such a typically dominant team. Una Foyle in goal. A back four of Ellena Firth, Rebecca Lake, Mikaela Hunt, and Lara Wall. Whitney Hepburn and Kate Loye doing midfield things with Lottie Mortlock in the ten role (no sign of Alyssa Whinham despite being named in the NL squad). Petra Buyck and Chloe Bellamy supported Britney-Lee Nicholson – back in the National League after missing the 2021 campaign due to an ACL tear.

As for Central, they had former Cantabs player Annie Foote in goal. She’s moved up to the North Island for university and may have had some inside scouting yarns on her old teammates. Kate Bennett and Lara Smith were at CB. McKenna Chittenden and Stella Warner at fullback. Central midfield of captain Kate Mori and Tessa Hyland. Wide midfielders Rebekah Trewhitt and Georgie Furnell. Then Ashley Arquette and Holly Kleinsman up front.

The Pride immediately began this match with sharp passing and a high tempo, seeking to get their fullbacks nice and high up the lines. Yet it was Central who had the first proper shot, Furnell stealing a loose ball and cutting back to Arquette who struck over the top. Central definitely had a bit about them on the break and their 4-4-2 shape allowed them to sit tightly in a block that restricted what the Pride could get up to.

However the array of set pieces that the home team were winning was going to take a toll sooner rather than later. 12th minute and a corner kick was pulled back to Rebecca Lake who tried her luck from outside the area. Annie Foote saved it well diving to her left but the rebound fell to Whitney Hepburn who made no mistake. Not usually Hepburn’s specialty, the defensive midfield extraordinaire popping up with a goal, fair play.

Unfortunate scenes soon after when Central’s captain Kate Mori had to be stretchered off after going down with an ankle injury in the midfield. Aimee Sanson came on to replace her. Credit to Central though, they didn’t stumble. Stringing three passes together was a tough one for them but off the ball they worked extremely hard to make it as tough as possible for their hosts. Rebekah Trewhitt was often dropping all the way deep from the right wing to double up with the threat of Wall up that sideline. Looked like a back five at times but pretty sure that was circumstantial because Trewhitt was also often one of the furthest forward for Central.

That resistance was pierced in the 37th minute after another example of a swarming Pride team being able to win the ball back in the attacking half. Buyck was the one with the interception. She hit the ever-busy Lottie Mortlock in a hint of space outside the box. Mortlock played a lovely reverse pass to Chloe Bellamy... who cut back past two defenders and unleashed a shot into the bottom corner. Super goal.

Couple subs for the Cantabs at half-time with Kendrah Smith and Ella McCann both entering the contest. Buyck and Bellamy were the two to be replaced which required a bit of a shake-up: Smith went to CB with Lake moving to RB, McCann (who’d played half a game for the youth team just beforehand) came on as striker with Nicholson moving to the right wing, Firth moved into the midfield, and Loye went to the left wing.

Lots of shuffling but nothing really changed as Hepburn drilled a shot past the post and Nicholson had a spinning effort slapped away by Foote in goal (thought she was sure to score from that position). Mortlock took a heavy touch off a great Nicholson cross or else that would’ve surely been three. Loye had an attempt saved from the same move. Outside of the two goals, these chances were as good as anything the Pride created in the first half. Finally in the 62nd minute Kate Loye did this...

Both teams made changes in the aftermath, including Central swapping out both fullbacks. The Pride threw on Lisa Evans up front who immediately starting running in behind and also dug a shot over the top after some mean work from Mortlock out wide. Then came some more subs and Annie Foote was quick off her line to charge down a shot from Frankie Morrow who’d just entered proceedings. As good a save as Foote made all afternoon and there were plenty of candidates. Central had a couple moments right at the death, Sanson striking over the top and Hughes unable to pick out a teammate after an interception. 3-0 was the way it ended.

Easy mahi for the Cantabs, to be honest. They gave the whole bench a run and threatened throughout – although there was some disjointedness due to all the changes. Mortlock looked exciting in that ten role, especially the way she carries the ball at pace through the lines. Their defence was very composed with the ball – something that escaped them at times last year. Sorta got the feeling they didn’t get out of second gear but in fairness some of that was due to Central’s workrate. Kate Loye and Whitney Hepburn both had great games in the midfield and were rewarded with goals. The Pride are looking sharp.

But gotta save plenty of praise for Central whose defensive pairing of Lara Smith and Kate Bennett were strong throughout, particularly in how they covered the balls in behind, and Annie Foote was hugely promising behind them with the gloves. Having a reliable goalie who’ll make all the expected saves is such a boost in this league. Central did get a few things going in attack... but almost all of them were flagged offside. There’s pace to burn if they can get the timing right. Quite a lot to be proud of for this Central team despite the way the scoreboard looks... pretty sure there were at least six teenagers in that starting eleven.

Western Springs vs Southern United

Southern United were the only federation team who didn’t seem to publically announce a squad (unless I missed it) whereas Western Springs were the only club team that publically announced a (mostly unchanged) squad for the National League portion of the season. The Southerners were pretty much as expected. Last season’s top scorer Amy Hislop is playing college ball in the States now (University of Texas Rio Grande Valley) while Renee Bacon and Lena De Ronde have moved up to Capital... but otherwise it was largely the same ladies that won the South Central Series a year ago. Heavy prominence for Dunedin City Royals who took Northern Rovers to penalties in the Kate Shepp semis which’ll offer some confidence.

Amelia Simmers was in goal. Tahlia Roome and Toni Power at fullback with Hannah Mackay-Wright and Kelsey Kennard in the middle. Rose Morton captaining from CDM. Emily Morison and Abby Rankin ahead of her. Then Margi Dias at striker with Chelsea Whittaker and Samantha Woolley on the wings. The only ones who weren’t in the SCS-champs a year ago were Roome (who did play for SU the year before) and the ex-Central duo of Rankin and Woolley. There was talk that Jasmine Prince, joint top scorer of the Southern Premiership in 2022 along with Hislop, both on 19 goals, was going to start but was injured pre-kickoff.

Western Springs hosted this one on their Seddon Fields turf. Standard, reliable 4-3-3 formation for them with Angelique TuiSamoa in goal, Lily Jervis and Jaedeci Uluvili at CB plus Sophia Dyer on the left and Maggie Pedersen on the right. Midfield trio was U20 World Cup squadie Emma Pijnenburg with Lily Taitimu and Lara Colpi. Then Sofia Garcia, Sammi Tawharu, and Celia Mayo across the front line.

Southern didn’t win the SCS by suddenly turning into a Brazilian national team impersonator. They won it by doing Southern things: strong defence, physical midfield play, huge energy, and timely goals. That was the plan again as they held a firm defensive line but also sought to apply pressure on the Springs defence up top, leading to a very patient start as Springs mostly just knocked the ball around. Until Lily Jervis whacked one over the top and American goal scoring expert Sofia Garcia beat Simmers to the ball to score a fourth minute opener...

Too much space between defence and goalie. To be fair to Southern, they never made that mistake again. Back we settled into that same pattern as Springs moved cautiously into the midfield then lost the ball then Southern couldn’t string any passes together so Springs got it back and lather, rinse, repeat. Pijnenburg did have a couple shots off target. Then Southern copped another blow as Emily Morison was hurt in a collision in midfield and after some head injury assessment precautions would have to be replaced less than 20 mins in by Megan Walker - Walker to left-back, Roome to left wing, Whittaker into the midfield.

The Southerners had played with ten for a few mins while Morison was checked up, then those reshuffles followed. They’d already had an injured player in warm-ups. Tricky situation for SU and they conceded again on 25 mins as a lovely cross from Celia Mayo was headed in by Sofia Garcia. Credit to Southern for sticking to the game plan because ten minutes later that front three mobility had them back in it. Clear mistake by Dyer getting pressured and playing a blind pass back infield. Dias stole it and then smoothly popped it in at the near post. A needless error from Western Springs’ point of view but reward for Southern in continuing to press.

In fact they should have been even at the break thanks to an almost identical chance for Dias. This time Dyer, well aware of her poor pass just before, hesitated and held onto the ball instead. Toni Power took it off her and fed Dias... who tried to be a little too cute when keeper TuiSamoa already knew she was angling for that near post again. TuiSamoa may just have gotten a sneaky touch as the ball struck the post and was cleared. 2-1 to Springs at half-time.

That was enough of a scare that Springs made two HT changes, bringing on their star Japanese duo of Rina Hirano and Arisa Takeda. Mayo and Dyer were the pair replaced – Takeda to left back and Hirano into midfield with Colpi moving to the wing. They also seemed to be operating with more width in an attempt to stretch the Southern backline and... well, it worked. Clever thinking from coach Ryan Faithful.

Ten mins into the half, Pedersen played a mint pass down the line to Colpi who took her time in picking out a teammate in the middle – love that composure – and Hirano was able to whip that thing into the net on the run. Right afterwards, 57th min, they scored an even better version of the same goal as Pijnenburg turned her marker and carried forward into space before hitting Colpi with room out wide. In came the cross and Sam Tawharu did the rest. Bang bang. Two assists in two minutes for seventeen year old Lara Colpi.

Toni Power headed over the top from a Dias corner with twenty to go which may have sparked something. Instead Maggie Pederson sliced an attempted cross all the way over Amy Simmers on 72’ for a fifth goal. Hannah Mackay-Wright went down with a twisted ankle with quarter of an hour remaining but she was able to strap that up and continue – sorta had to given they were running out of subs. However Springs had one more up their sleeve as Sofia Garcia thumped in a low shot to complete her hatty right at the end. A comprehensive 6-1 win for Western Springs. They were the stronger team in the first half but they absolutely romped it in the second.

Sofia Garcia kept up her goal scoring abilities from the winter season while Tawharu – who was involved in a Footy Ferns squad late year during travel restrictions – also got one along with her always impressive hold-up play. Jess Innes was a rock in defence and Lily Taitimu did plenty of work in the middle. Lara Colpi had a strong game. Maggie Pedersen showed some fizz. And there were glimpses of why Emma Pijnenburg is such a highly rated prospect too. Magnificent way for them to begin their Natty League campaign.

The opposite was true for Southern... but this was a difficult day for them. The fed teams don’t have long to gel together compared to the clubs who’ve had all year to build combinations. The continuity from last season (and beyond) does help but it’ll probably take a couple weeks for a team like Southern to get into their stride. Doesn’t help when there are injuries either. Even still, Rose Morton continues to look unsurpassable as a defensive midfielder and Margi Dias offers some flair up top. They were clearly the second best team on the field but a close first half was much more reflective of where they oughta be as a team than what followed.

Auckland United vs Northern Rovers

Somehow the fixtures conspired to serve up a rematch of the Kate Sheppard Cup final almost exactly one week later. Two teams that clearly know each other well after also meeting in the NRFL Prem this season. A week can be a long time in football though. Auckland United, hosting this one at Keith Hay Park – making this the only game played on actual natural grass in week one – may have only been seven days removed from lifting the KSC but they made four changes to their cup final team.

No Martine Puketapu, who scored the winning goal in that final. No Katie Duncan, who won the Maia Jackman Medal. No Aimee Feinberg-Danieli who was so impressive in goal that game. Also no Bella Richards who’d been good in midfield. None of that quartet were even on the bench so perhaps they needed another week of recovery. Or maybe they’ve all got unannounced A-League gigs coming up.

In their place came Jesse Barnard in goal, Aimee Barnard in the forward line (with Milly Clegg shifting to the middle), Sophie Williams in midfield, and Manaia Elliott at right back with Jess Philpot sliding into central defence alongside Georgia Martin. Elsewhere it was as expected with Emma Leaming at left back, Alosi Bloomfield CDM, Ruby Nathan in the ten role, and Bree Johnson on the left wing.

Gonna assume that the Barnards are twins seeing as they have the same last name and the same birthday and play for the same football club, you know? Feels weird that one twin would be a goalie and one an outfielder... but that’s the same case with the Kelly-Heald boys at the Wellington Phoenix academy. Alby is a goalie while Lucas is a defender. Makes is easy for backyard footy when one sibling actually wants to go in goal.

Pretty funky to see Manaia Elliott with Auckland United suddenly. A Waikato native who at last check was still playing for Melville but she was in the 2021 FFDP wave so must’ve picked up some AK connections. She went to St Peter’s Cambridge with Aimee Feinberg-Danieli so there’s that for starters. She’d have also recognised a couple opponents as Michaela Foster and Chelsea Elliott as well as NR sub Kate McConnell were all teammates of hers and AFD’s in the last WaiBOP squad (2020). That squad also had U20s backup keeper Rylee Godbold, current Cantab duo Kate Loye and Lisa Evans, and Welly Nix duo Grace Wisnewski and Kelli Brown. Bummer that there’s no Waikato presence this season but at least there are plenty of Waikato players scattered around.

Northern Rovers only made one change to their KSC final XI: Leanna Ryan (a Timaru native but she also played a fair bit of footy in the Waikato region) dropped to the bench with Rene Wasi a welcome surprise inclusion up front (Alexis Cook moving to a wing). Ryan had several chances to score in that cup final which she wasn’t able to take, most notably when she hit the post in the second half. Wasi was someone who would have been a lock for that U20 World Cup team a year ago but injuries didn’t allow it. Good timing for a return. Otherwise it was Ellen Blount in goal, back four of (right to left) Talisha Green, Chelsea Elliott, Greer MacIntosh, and Suya Haering. Breeze Durham, Estelle Harrison, and Danielle Canham in midfield. Alexis Cook and Michaela Foster on either side of Rene Wasi in the front three.

Alright, lots of housekeeping done, now let’s rock into the game itself where the first moment of note was a chance for Dani Canham picking up space on the right side of the area running through from midfield but her shot was too close to Barnard and thus saved. Soon afterwards Canham had another chance pouncing as Barnard spilled a Foster cross but Canham slipped as she hit it and fired wide. Meanwhile there was plenty of physicality on show already. Ellen Blount got hit sliding out for a through ball. Talisha Green crunched into opposite number Emma Leaming. Manaia Elliott was slammed in the face by the ball. No prisoners taken.

Milly Clegg introduced herself after 16 mins as some close control amongst pressure somehow allowed her to get a shot away but it was straight at Blount for an easy save. A tease of what she’s capable of. Then it was Canham’s turn again as a great ball in by Foster was controlled and struck into Barnard’s hands when maybe the first time effort was the superior option. 17 year old Canham getting into some dangerous areas though.

Aside from than that Clegg shot, all the chances had been for Rovers to that point but then Bree Johnson chipped past Talisha Green and went down in the area. No penalty, there was contact but maybe not enough of it, however that seemed to swing things back for the cup champs. Auckland United had Clegg slice one wide before Blount had to soar back in a hurry to her near post to push away a Ruby Nathan corner that was heading directly in. Clegg had a crack from 20 yards that was saved low. Nathan pounced on the rebound but chipped it off the far post.

Same as in the Kate Sheppard Cup though, the game continued to see-saw in 10-15 minute segments and by the end of the first half it was the turn of Northern Rovers again. Cook and Wasi combined with the resulting cross only just avoiding Fozzy in the middle. Estelle Harrison put a diving header wide from the second cross. Then in the 42nd minute we finally got an overdue goal. For all the great moments we’d already seen fail to result in goals... this one was an underwhelming chance with maximum reward. Dani Canham cut back onto her left foot but scuffed her shot... yet the scuff caused an awkward bounce and messed with Barnard’s timing. Somehow the ball crept in for a 1-0 Rovers lead. Killer assist from Breeze Durham btw.

Just before the half-time whistle, Bree Johnson smacked a shot off target. Couldn’t force a save but one thing was clear about this United forward line: they were going to shoot at any opportunity. They came out for the second stanza forcing things. Harrison made a great block off an Aimee Barnard shot after Clegg had a cross defended. Rovers retaliated with Foster, now playing through the middle, having a couple dangerous efforts – one off target, the other tipped over. Clegg responded in turn with a silky run on the break but again a shot too close to Blount.

This was wildly entertaining footy. Harrison side-footed a volley over and then was replaced by Leanna Ryan. Inexplicable how Rovers weren’t able to double their lead on 66’ via an almighty goalmouth scramble in which was there was way too much was going on to describe but Rene Wasi was involved in some of it. Hack after hack and the ball never crossed the line. Two mins later Ryan fluffed a chance from the left. They’re probably regretting those missed chances about now because then Milly Clegg did a bit of this...

Clegg had been frustrated with her finishing to that point, all her shots off target or straight at the keeper. But that’s only because when you can create room to shoot basically any time you get the ball within range then there are goals on offer. Simply gotta hit those corners of the goal. When she finally did, she scored. Simple as that. Milly Clegg doesn’t even turn 17 until November... with an U17 World Cup coming up next month you can be absolutely sure that she will play a big part in that squad. As will many others that we’ve seen in week one of the WNL.

Rovers had the better of the final twenty mins. A MacIntosh header was pushed over from a corner. Shannon Henson headed wide from a wonderful Foster cross, really shoulda done better there and she knew it. Ultimately both teams had to settle for a 1-1 draw which, given how many chances each of them failed to put away, was probably about fair. Similar areas to the Kate Sheppard Cup final. This was the only game of week one that didn’t end in a win by at least three goals so that was nice.

Northern Rovers got strong showings from Michaela Foster (as always), they just didn’t finish enough of what she created. Rene Wasi gave them some added class while 17yo Suya Haering looks like an outstanding left back prospect. She’ll surely be on that plane to India for the U17 WC too. Ellen Blount was flawless in goal as well – nothing she could do about the goal but she saved everything else, error free.

As for Auckland United, the draw probably suits them better given they were the fourth placed finishers in the NRFL up against the champions (despite beating them a week ago in the KSC), plus they were playing from behind. They’ll be sweating on Bree Johnson’s fitness after she went down off the ball late on. But quality from Milly Clegg keeps them in any game, while Ruby Nathan also had a strong showing and Alosi Bloomfield was excellent in that defensive midfield spot. Credit to Manaia Elliott as well – an absolute menace in the tackle despite being one of the smaller girls out there. Great game. More of this, please.

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