Northern Rovers vs Capital

Northern Rovers aren’t used to not winning games, having won 17/21 in the NRFL and pushed things all the way to the Kate Sheppard Cup final. So a loss in that KSC final and then a draw last week to open their National League campaign – both against Auckland United – left them in unfamiliar territory. They did once draw two games in a row earlier in the year... but only once. Safe to say they were seeking to bounce back as they hosted Capital at McFetridge Park in Glenfield.

One change for Rovers and that was at goalkeeper with Ellie Blount not in the matchday squad and Georgia Craig deputising in her place. Otherwise it was all the same ladies that drew 1-1 with Auckland United – plus a very strong bench full of attacking options... including Kelli Brown, formerly of the Wellington Phoenix, who had a small cameo at the end of the previous game and would have been fizzing for more where that came from.

Capital also made a goalkeeping change with Molly Simons suspended for her red card last week. That meant that Katia Brown stepped into the team, plus there was another further forward with Dani Ohlsson promoted to the starters after being first off the bench in Capital’s 4-1 loss to Eastern Suburbs a week ago. That game was pretty close until the red card so tough to know what to expect... it always is at this time of the season, especially for the federation teams.

The pattern was clear from the outset as Rovers sought to put their stamp on the game but had to deal with a well organised Capital defence, particularly their excellent CB combo of Jayden Watts and Zoe Barrott. An early chance for Alexis Cook firing across goal. Another for Michaela Foster stabbing narrowly wide. Fozzy also whipped a corner kick off the back post via a cheeky defensive touch.

Capital dealt with most of that, including backup keeper Brown who was good and assertive, however moving the ball through their midfield towards their forwards proved difficult. Pepi Olliver-Bell and Renee Bacon did have a couple hints on the counter but not really enough to feel like anything was imminent. The best of those was a pass out from goalie Craig directly to Bacon... but Craig was able to make amends with a fine save.

It was an exciting performance from Rovers though. Michaela Foster pulling strings. Alexis Cook taking on defenders. Breeze Durham taking zero prisoners as the midfield sweeper. Rene Wasi making clever runs. Chelsea Elliott whipping the ball around from the back. Talisha Green went into the book for a crunching tackle on Cara Chung. Lots going on. Estelle Harrison was convinced she shoulda had a penalty for a trip off the ball on a long throw. Although Renee Bacon did threaten once cutting in and shooting towards the near post.

But finally the breakthrough came and no surprises that it was Micky Foster who did the deed. Five mins before the half and she leapt into a tackle to win possession then, despite the one-two with Dani Canham not quite working as intended, the ball popping off Foster’s shins, Foz was still quick enough to get there and strong enough to hold off Barrott... and at that point there was nothing to worry about. She was always gonna score from that situation.

And they should have had two almost immediately. A super ball through from Durham found Wasi on the left wing, who squared the ball when she could have shot and it missed both Estelle Harrison and Alexis Cook by a matter of inches. So close.

Not that they had anything to panic about. Ten minutes into the second stanza Michaela Foster held off Chung in a challenge on the sideline and then burst forward into the penalty area before smacking home at the near post. Two for her and two for Rovers. That was the impetus for Kelli Brown to enter the game (in place of Harrison) so it wasn’t getting any easier for Capital. Brown whipped in a cross that was air-volleyed by Wasi but the loosie spilled out to Talisha Green in stride and... bang. Thumper into the roof of the net.

The substitutions were a big contrast. Capital threw on youngsters for experience, especially in defence, whereas Rovers threw out more established attackers competing for first eleven status. Like Kelli Brown, whose old Hamilton buddy Foster was doing her best to set up. Brown had three or four decent chances but couldn’t quite catch one like she’s capable of. Maybe a bit of rustiness, is all.

Meanwhile Foster was on a hatty and a free kick on the right side of the area seemed like a great chance for it... but it was parried clear and then she blasted over with a second chance. Nah, those ones were too easy. Foster was just waiting for something worthy of the occasion. Like a 79th minute corner kick curled directly into the net (with a touch off the head of a defender on the line unable to deny it). Magnificent hat-trick from the best player on the park.

Oh and then just for kicks, sub Leanna Ryan also popped up with a goal two minutes later. A goal kick was sent directly out to her on the wing, which didn’t seem like such a disaster until she faked a pass inside then blitzed past her marker and tidily finished at the near post. Count ‘em up at fiveskees. There ya go.

Strong showing from Northern Rovers as they flexed all that NRFL champion pedigree. So many attacking options. Michaela Foster was the player of the day with her three goals but there were heaps of solid contributors in the victory. Durham in particular had a strong game. Alexis Cook is heaps of fun. Couple of assists for Dani Canham. Credit to Jayden Watts and Zoe Barrott at the back for Capital who again were really solid in a losing effort... it wasn’t until 40 minutes in that they first conceded and a couple of those goals they did allow were proper bangers. But this is a young Capital team with a new coach trying to figure things out on the fly away against the NRFL champs. That’s kinda how it goes. A statement first win for Northern Rovers.

Southern United vs Auckland United

Couple notes to chuck up here first as Auckland United’s instagram served up confirmation that we won’t be seeing either of their Kate Sheppard Cup final heroes Katie Duncan or Marty Puketapu this NL season. Duncan has chosen to take an indefinite break from footy which sounds a lot like wanting to be able to spend her summer at home with the family and that’s fair enough. Meanwhile Puketapu has announced her retirement from the game. She’s only 25 years old but already took a couple years off earlier in her career and, hey, it’s not like she’s earning the big bucks at playing in Aotearoa. People have other things they wanna do with their lives. Again, fair enough. But a bit of a shame that two of the more talented players in the country won’t be partaking in the Natty League.

With that in mind, there were three changes for United after their 1-1 draw with Northern Rovers last week. Aimee Feinberg-Danieli, one of the other standouts in that cup final, was back in goal, plus Sophie Bradley and Jenna Dodd were also given starts. Southern United began as they were a week ago with the exception of the injured Emily Morison, who was replaced by the no longer injured Jasmine Prince. Southern went down 6-1 to Western Springs last week but a lot of that damage was done in the second half as their short-handed squad ran out of legs. This time they were at home – the previous time they played at Logan Park they lifted the South Central Series title.

Auckland United thought they’d scored after only a couple minutes when a loose ball fell for Aimee Barnard in the box. The AU players had all gone back to halfway for the kickoff but after a chat with the lino the ref ruled an offside. Replays suggest that was dubious... but the assistant ref did have a better view. Good news for Southern who’d conceded an early goal last week and would no doubt have talked about making sure they avoid that fate again.

Aside from that moment it was relatively even with Southern working hard and winning some good ball in midfield (needless to say Rose Morton was heavily involved). Kelsey Kennard was making sure that Milly Clegg and her mates had as little space to work with as possible. Twenty minutes gone and the game remained scoreless, although Sophie Williams and Ruby Nathan had punted shots over the crossbar from decent spots for Utd.

Then suddenly it all got out of hand for the Southerners. 0-0 after 22 minutes. 2-0 down after 25 minutes. It began almost innocuously as Milly Clegg dinked a bouncing ball back into the middle for Aimee Barnard to tap home. Think the SU defence thought it was going out for a goal kick but Clegg’s long right leg had other ideas. In the 25th minute Ruby Nathan took a touch inside on the left before shooting and Amelia Simmers appeared to have it covered but her palm away wasn’t strong enough and ball still snuck in.

United had them rattled, they were playing with pace and energy as they went for the throat. Southern did manage to hang in there for a spell and if they’d been able to take it to the break at 2-0 then that wouldn’t have been so bad. They got lucky as Bree Johnson had a shot from ten yards straight at Simmers. Also when Clegg took too long to get a shot away and was charged down. But then a Manaia Elliott shot from distance snuck through Simmers’ hands, another error from a usually reliable keeper, in the 44th minute and those are the ones you really can’t afford in this league.

Interestingly both coaches subbed their goalkeepers at the break. For Southern, Simmers probably needed protecting after a couple mistakes. Kate Hannay on in her place. For United they might’ve just wanted to mix it up. Or maybe Feinberg-Danieli’s carrying a knock. Jesse Barnard came on anyway. Southern also chucked on Jemma Wilson at fullback to try and lock up the left edge.

But AK Utd simply picked up where they left off. Clegg had a couple halfies, then in the 52nd minute Toni Power tripped trying to deal with a long ball from Jess Philpot and Bree Johnson was the lucky beneficiary as she poked the ball past Hannay to score. Power appealed in vain for a free kick. About quarter of an hour later a long looping free kick from Philpot kinda sorta just landed at Johnson’s feet six yards out and she couldn’t have not scored if she’d tried. Yet another soft one for Southern to concede.

Two assists for Jess Philpot... she wasn’t done there either. 73rd min and she got in on the goal scoring action with a thumping volley at the back post after a cross had flicked off Clegg’s shoulder by the looks of it. Technically gotta call that an assist. Hannay did get a hand to Philpot’s shot but couldn’t stop it. Great hit to get that power and accuracy from such a slim angle. Oh yeah and then there was an own goal with five to play. Milly Clegg turning sharply to the byline to drill a ball across which caught Freya Partridge-Moore on the shin and snuck over. Stink one for FPM who had literally just been subbed on at right back... it was her first touch. At least there were no more after that.

7-0 to Auckland United... didn’t expect that. But the youthful front four for AU was simply too dynamic to handle, particularly when combined with some bad mistakes and unlucky moments. Tough day at the office for Southern United, as they say.

Strange to see Auckland United score seven times and Milly Clegg not get any. She had a few chances but same as last week just snatched at too many... but the way she’s able to work herself into space means she’s going to keep shooting and the goals will surely flow. In the meantime she’s just gonna have to settle for the three assists she got and an excellent workrate dropping deep to collect the ball, holding it up to involve teammates, and drifting wide into crossing areas.

Ruby Nathan and Aimee Barnard had strong games too. Jess Philpot was fantastic at the back with her passing range and positioning, plus she scored that belter of a goal. Somehow an ordinarily solid Southern defence has conceded 13 goals in two games. Kelsey Kennard was really good for them. Otherwise best to flush the dunny and move on. It’s becoming obvious that the federation teams are at a huge disadvantage only having a couple weeks to prepare for this compared to an entire winter season. Southern are away to Capital next week which should give a better indication of where they’re at.

Western Springs vs Canterbury United Pride

All four games in round two saw federation teams up against Auckland club teams. Of all the feds, Canterbury Pride are easily the best poised to hit the ground running against teams that’ve been in action all year thanks to a consistent core of players over the last few years... and, you know, the whole dynasty thing. The Pride had been comfortable in beating Central last week. That made their trip north to Western Springs a fascinating little baseline for what this hybrid season is gonna look like.

Two changes for Springs from their 6-1 win over Southern United and they were significant ones: the Japanese duo of Arisa Takeda and Rina Hirano thrown in after playing off the bench last time. Two super technical players that elevate this Springs line-up into something capable of beating any team in this league. One change for Canterbury as Nelson’s own Ella McCann was rewarded for a fine showing off the bench last week. Also a strong team for the Pride. This was set up to be a cracker of a contest.

And that it was. Genuine end to end footy with both teams getting into the penalty area early and engaging defenders, both teams winning corner kicks, both teams playing quickly through their midfields. Britney-Lee Nicholson was the first to turn one of those moments into something tangible as she ran onto a wonderful long ball from Rebecca Lake, though her stabbed shot was saved strongly by Angelique TuiSamoa and then BLN’s follow-up hit the post from a narrow angle. Lake did the same thing for Nicholson a few mins later but this time TuiSamoa closed it down... and Chloe Bellamy probably shoulda done better than miss the target with the seconds.

It was the Pride creating the better chances in that initial first half hour, with Mikaela Hunt also firing over the top from a corner and Kate Loye and Whitney Hepburn both having pops from range. But it was Western Springs that scored first. Rina Hirano made a sharp interception in the midfield then played a super ball through for Sofia Garcia. Just as she did last week, the American made sure she was first to the ball and rounded the keeper before hitting that empty net. Could say Una Foyle was a tad slow in rushing up but then you’d also say the pace of Garcia is nothing to mess with (and the pass from Hirano was magic). Sneaky good finish too.

Springs thought they had a second before long as some class hold-up play from Sammi Tawharu saw her flip a reverse ball in for Lara Colpi but the flag went up for offside as Colpi dispatched it with assuredness. It was a close call, that’s for sure. Then again so was the goal and that one stood so it balances out. A silky run from Hirano soon after was then denied only by an even better save by Foyle. Yet the Pride were still peppering the opposite goal themselves and some lovely interplay between Hepburn and Nicholson ended up with Bellamy lifting a cross over which McCann headed off the post. Either team could have feasibly been leading at the break but 1-0 to Western Springs it was.

Canterbury came out strong and TuiSamoa had to make a good stop off a Hunt header. Then it was defender Lily Jarvis’ turn with a magnificent block to stop McCann in the area. Bellamy had a shot on target following a bit of space for Lottie Mortlock out wide. However Sofia Garcia almost doubled the home team’s advantage running onto a ball that she fired high and soon it really was 2-0 as Emma Pijnenburg took a perfect first touch in the middle then fizzed a perfect ball through the line for Lara Colpi. She had one denied in the first half but there was no stopping Lara Colpi this time. 52 minutes gone.

Aaaand then it was 3-0. The Pride had only just made a triple sub to spruce up their attack but before they could get up to anything, Tawharu laid a ball off for Hirano whose looping shot hit the underside of the crossbar and went in off Foyle as it dropped. Credited as an own goal as it hit the back of her outstretched arm. Bit of a weird one. Two assists for Rina Hirano this game though. 3-0 to Springs just before the hour.

Jervis made another strong tackle to prevent Hunt getting a shot away. McCann had a chance that was a bit too soft – yet another save by Angelique TuiSamoa all the same. The Cantabs had no choice but to go for it which left them vulnerable to a fourth goal... good thing Lara Wall was able to slide in on Colpi or else that might’ve been what happened. Same deal as Tawharu headed home but the goal was disallowed for a push in the back. Maggie Pedersen also had a 1v1 to secure the points for Springs but couldn’t convert.

Meaning that as Petra Buyck, an Auckland native who went to Baradene College, came off the bench and scored a wonder goal storming forward on the run then thumping one inch-perfectly into the top corner... suddenly the door was back open at 3-1 with ten to play. Again Jervis made a spot-on challenge in the area this time against Bellamy. Wall was really coming into the game now at left back and her pace got her into a spot where maybe she could have shot instead but she chose to square towards Lisa Evans yet it was slightly out of stride so Evans’ shot was easily saved. Sophia Dyer hit the post for Springs at the beginning of injury time, another chance to put the result beyond doubt. Then Petra Buyck scored another screamer, this time a deep free kick curled in via that left boot of hers.

But there wasn’t enough time remaining. Canterbury did win another corner through some Lara Wall endeavours but Lily Jervis (of course) came up with a clearing header and that was that. 3-2 to Western Springs in a thrilling match. The Pride had more chances but Springs were more clinical. Both teams played confident, attacking football. This was a week of one-sided match-ups but this game right here was an exciting exception.

Picking standouts, it’s hard to look past Angelique TuiSamoa’s performance in goal. Save after save after save and when she was finally beaten it took a pair of absolute screamers to do so. Lily Jervis was also great in defence although it was Rina Hirano who had the most to do with Western Springs emerging victorious and Lara Colpi continues to look like a wonderful prospect. She’s tiny in stature but huge in production. A goal and two assists already for the 17 year old this season.

For the Cantabs there was quality from Kate Loye and Whitney Hepburn in the middle as always. Mikaela Hunt and Lara Wall also had strong games. But there’s a bit of inexperience up front for them outside of Britney-Lee Nicholson and it’s just that finishing touch that’s eluded them a few too many times in both games so far. Regardless, they proved here with that final flurry that of all the federation teams they’re the ones who can topple any of these northern teams on their day. This was Western Springs’ day though. Two wins from two. That’s the way to do it.

Eastern Suburbs vs Central

Finally it was over to Madills Farm in Kohimarama on a lovely Sunday afternoon. The sun was shining. The home side were honouring Lucy Carter who was playing her 100th senior game for the club... and also potentially her last going by the club’s Instagram and same deal for Kate Carlton too.

Carter held her place from the Tayla O’Brien inspired 4-1 win over Capital last week but plenty others did not as coach Stephen Hoyle made five changes to his team. Carlton started alongside Carter at the back. Annie Byrne came in at right wing-back. Proficient goalscorer Deven Jackson came into the frontline. And there were also two former Central players picked: goalie Brooke Bennett and left wing-back Aimee Atkins. How about that.

Central themselves made just one change from an encouraging 3-0 loss to Canterbury in which they were a lot sturdier than many would have predicted. That one change was Tessa Hyland replacing injured captain Kate Mori... same as she did in the first half last week. Also be aware that they had a secret weapon on the bench: (currently un-signed) Welly Nix and NZ U20s utility Charlotte Lancaster. Back playing for the home federation.

Didn’t take long to see which way this game was going. Eastern Suburbs are such a well-drilled attacking team and against a Central team as youthful as this it almost wasn’t fair. Only the older Kate Bennett was really coping with the Grown Woman athleticism of a lot of those Suburbs players. They held on for eleven minutes. Then an Aimee Atkins corner kick was expertly headed in by – guess who – Tayla O’Brien.

Pretty soon O’Brien had headed an Annie Byrne cross off the bar. Then another header saved from another Byrne cross. When she buried a simple one dashing into the area soon afterwards, following some great play between Annie Byrne and Deven Jackson, she could have had four goals inside twenty minutes. Instead just a cheeky double. O’Brien picking up where she left off last week. (This game was on Sky Sports so way harder to get highlight clips, apologies for that - if we get enough Patreons I can afford a better laptop, maybe).

Central were set so deep and inviting pressure that they couldn’t handle. When they weren’t able to clear their lines in the 21st minute it was instantly 3-0 as Nicole Cooper pounced to score. Then Juliette Lucas made it four. Cooper lobbing the ball over and despite having numbers back they allowed it to bounce and Lucas was too strong to stop when given that room. And before we’d even gone half an hour Byrne’s speed got her onto a loose ball in the box and she smacked in a fifth which seems to have been credited to her although it should’ve probably been an own goal. Either way, a deserved reward for Byrne who was looking unstoppable down the right wing.

The good news for Central is that the rate of humiliation did slow down. But closer to half-time Juliette Lucas chested in her second from about three centimetres off the goal-line after Aimee Atkins had done the ol’ kick and chase to beat her marker. Nothing was going Central’s way – otherwise Holly Kleinsmann’s shot late in the half would have nestled inside the net instead of donking off the post as it did. Honestly, it was 6-0 at the break and it could have easily been more. Suburbs were dominating the midfield and their movement up front was way too slick.

In no time at all it was seven as Deven Jackson was able to stay with the play after her initial touch from Byrne’s cross was blocked. Quickest to react and a sharp finish gave her a goal that she’d more than earned for all her efforts. At that stage you were thinking it could go well beyond double figures. In reality, it only got to eight. 7-0 to Suburbs after 48 mins but the only remaining goal they’d score was Tayla O’Brien ghosting in for her hatty around the hour mark. Jackson’s reverse ball was blocked yet O’Brien carried on her run and slipped in her third of the day. After scoring four goals last week. Wowzers.

The last half hour was largely spent watching the fourth official raise the substitution board. Both teams emptied the benches, a process that had already begun when Central threw on Charlotte Lancaster and Pip Coakley at HT. Lancaster settled into the midfield and brought some expected niggle to things. Got a late yellow card for smashing into O’Brien on the slide. Also had three or four shots trying to unleash that rocket left foot but wasn’t able to get the radar working. Kleinsmann also had another chance touched onto the post while Georgie Furnell forced a save. Central were arguably worth a consolation goal in a much more competitive second stanza... though let’s be honest the damage was already done. 8-0 to Eastern Suburbs final score.

Tayla O’Brien was once more superb. Controlling the midfield and still finding time to push forward into the box and score copious goals. Juliette Lucas showed why she was top scorer in the NRFL along with a mint array of lay-offs. Deven Jackson was involved in heaps, cashing in with a goal and an assist. Also Annie Byrne didn’t start week one but it’ll be tough to keep her out of the team again following that display of speed and skill. Eastern Suburbs have built a reputation as a team that scores in large bundles. This is why.

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