Central vs Canterbury United Pride

Three teams entered week three having lost both games and two of them were playing each other. They couldn’t possibly both lose. Central usually get beaten but they usually have a few shocks in them per season and almost sprung one last week – they were only a goal down with twenty to play away to Wellington United (but ended up losing 3-0). Canterbury United usually do the beating, or at least they used to but they’re kind of rebuilding at the moment and don’t quite have the widespread quality of previous campaigns. Nonetheless they were tied at 1-1 against Waterside Karori last week with 15 minutes left... only to lose 3-1. Beware those latter minutes.

One change for Central at Massey University as they brought Charlotte Noakes back into the starting eleven. Canterbury United Pride retained the same defensive unit from both previous games, despite conceding four in each, but they did make the necessary change up top with Charlotte Roche given the start to try and continue her consecutive scoring streak. Charlotte Mortlock also returned to the XI. Drizzly day in Palmerston North. Time for some National League football.

Ten seconds after kickoff and Roche almost supplied her prerequisite goal, stealing a defensive pass and forcing a very good foot save from Leonie Heck. Roche had another shot on target after ninety seconds then the next time she played provider by slipping Britney-Lee Nicholson into the area but Heck charged down the shot. The Cantabs are always better when Lara Wall is able to stretch her legs on that left edge, the new Pride captain had been quiet this past fortnight but had several opportunities to cross early in this one. Including a couple where she was perhaps too eager to cross, and could have taken the ball closer instead. Which is exactly what Nicholson did in the 19th minute on the end of a Wall throw-in, showing great composure to allow Charlotte Mortlock the time to get free and then putting it where Mortlock could stab it in for an opening goal to reflect the initial proceedings.

But Central equalised immediately. One minute later. First of the season for that team. Central goals have been rare but equally as rare are Una Foyle mistakes yet both happened at once when Ruby-Aroha Gurnick’s long shot bounced awkwardly in front of Foyle, ricocheting off her shins, and Maddison Hughes pounced for 1-1. Good reward for following up the shot - coaches all around the country will be applauding.

Sometimes one goal is all it takes and with that one in the bag Central looked a far more confident team. It wasn’t like it was before. Mikaela Bouwmeester had a couple of chances. Grace Smith was crunching people in midfield. The Pride were still the more proactive side yet the river wasn’t flowing like it had been. Even when Nicholson burned a defender on the line to bear down on goal she saw her attempt cleared off the line by Aimee MacNee... then Mortlock’s follow was saved at close range. Dunno how Central survived that spell but they did. And because they did it meant that Mikaela Bouwmeester’s 38th minute goal put them into the lead. Perseverence, strength, then a bit of something special to chip Foyle from a tiny angle. What a goal.

2-1 to Central at half-time. Interesting, very interesting. A curious set of circumstances indeed. Nicholson had tried a few long shots and Roche was working hard up top. Yet Sarah Swinbanks and Aimee MacNee were putting in the work at CB for Central and the space was only really available when the Pride went wide. Canterbury made a midfield sub with Anna McPhie replaced by Lisa Evans at HT. Again, Roche had a chance within seconds but this time she couldn’t control the dipping long ball from Ellena Firth... and then Central nearly scored a third following some great work from Hughes on the right wing, leading to a Gurnick shot that required Lainey Altieri-Need to flip it over the top with her head. Keeper was beaten but Right-Back was there in cover. Crucial.

Central didn’t sit back and try to survive for the win. They were out there with designs upon scoring a third. Hughes had plenty of involvement, even getting the better of Wall a few times. Bouwmeester kept hunting right up until she was replaced on 66’. But as the minutes ticked by the Cantabs were spending increasingly more time around the Central penalty area. On came Sara Mann and youth teamer Denva Perrott in search of that precious goal. And oh what do ya know Britney-Lee Nicholson delivered it in the 90th minute...

Emphatic finish from BLN for her second of the season - she’s just been named in the Futsal Ferns squad so could potentially miss a few rounds with a tournament in the Philippines starting next week. Sarah Alder and Francesca Grange of Wellington United and Emily Gillion of Eastern Suburbs have also been called up after playing WNL this year. Anyway, wicked pass from Mortlock to spark the goal and then it was Jonelle Arthur with the assist. BLN with a goal and assist... makes sense since she was the Pride’s most consistently threatening player.

But that was all they got. Brutal for Central that they conceded so late however they still emerged with a valuable point thanks to a committed and determined performance across the board. Hughes and Bouwmeester. Grace Smith in midfield. The centre-backs were very good. Central have gotten significantly better with each subsequent game so far. There’ll be mixed feelings for the Pride, having failed to win but also having avoided defeat in the manner that they did. Ten goals conceded in three games is too much. Charlotte Roche’s consecutive scoring streak has ended at six. They’re still working on new combinations at this level but the Pride have been there or thereabouts in all three games and should continue improving. Just don’t be thinking of them as title contenders as in days of recent yore.

Central 2-2 Canterbury United Pride

19’ | CU | 0-1 | Mortlock (NIcholson)

21’ | CEN | 1-1 | Hughes (Gurnick)

39’ | CEN | 2-1 | Bouwmeester

90’ | CU | 2-2 | Nicholson (Arthur)

Wellington Phoenix Reserves vs Eastern Suburbs

The Wellington Phoenix ALW squad have been doing some exciting things in preseason. Wins against the Newcastle Jets and Central Coast Mariners should give them a running start as they seek to make the leap into the playoffs in year three. The fact that they’ve gone to Aussie for preseason fixtures against fellow A-League clubs already gives them a boost compared to previous seasons and some hearty recruitment backs that up further. Say, what’s this: an entire preview of the Wellington Phoenix Women’s season for you to peruse. Ain’t that grand.

But of course having the first team across the ditch meant no support for the Ressies as they took on the defending champs. The WeeNix won 4-0 with the aid of four first teamers in week one. They lost 5-0 without any first teamers in week two. Here they made three changes from the defeat to Southern, with Emily Humphrey and Ellie Johnson making National League debuts while Phoebe Hawes marked her first WNL start. Humphrey was in the NZ U16s squad that recently won the Oceania champs.

On the other side, Eastern Suburbs have won two out of two as defending champs but only by a spare goal each time. Haven’t seen them in full flow just yet. Nicole Cooper missed this game as a precaution after a head knock having scored a magnificent game-winning hat-trick last week (again, for those who need reminding, she nutmegged a defender with a backheel for the winning goal in the 86th minute). That meant Zoe Benson joining Charlotte Lancaster and Emily Gillion (who swapped places with captain Nicole Mettam, Metts dropping into the midfield). Ella Findlay also got a go in defence in place of Arya Blackler who had to stay behind on study leave. Still no Tayla O’Brien for the Lilywhites, the reigning MVP, but they did have Hannah Saxon on the bench in search of a debut - she was also in that U16s squad.

Third minute of the match. Nix don’t clear their lines properly. Benson flips a short pass back to Nicole Mettam. La Capitana stepped onto her left foot past and dispatched a classy finish into the top corner like she was stirring her coffee or buttering her toast.

An early goal always helps a team settle and large portions of this game were spent with the WeeNix in their own half trying to play through the Suburbs press. That’s how that first goal was scored although at other times they were much more successful with it (only for moves to break down once they crossed halfway). At least when they had the ball, their opponents didn’t. And they did go close to scoring when they won a free kick that Bex Trewhitt lifted into a stiff breeze and Ella McMillan flicked it wide with her head – had the ball not held up in the wind then she might’ve had the trajectory to put that one away. Humphrey also shoulda done more when she carried a run into the area to collect a return pass from Ella McCann. She only had the keeper to beat but was angling away from goal and sliced her shot.

Not a lot more where those came from. Mostly it felt like a matter of time until ESAFC scored again... which they did when the Lancaster Bomber got on the scoresheet, picking up a loose clearance from a Kenya Brooke long throw and thumping it past Charlotte Eagle in goal. Nobody kicks a football harder than Charlotte Lancaster. That power isn’t always matched by equivalent control but when she lands them they’re unstoppable... unless you want to rip a hole in the net in the shape of your silhouette, Looney Tunes style.

Lancaster was on a mission. She spent two years with the Welly Nix and would have benefited heaps from a reserve team in the WNL but that only happened after she left. Still, at 19 years old she could easily get another crack somewhere. So just to make sure that A-League scouts were paying attention, she did it again, digging out a long shot but that dipped over Eagle for threesies. Taking advantage of a 17 year old goalkeeper’s size but that’s where that point about accuracy comes back. Lancaster got the shot on target. Lancaster got the goal.

3-0 at the break. Quick drink, a coaching yarn, and maybe some oranges if one of the parents was organised enough... and the teams resumed much the same as they’d left off with the front four of the Lilywhites all getting shots away in the initial stages. But that was a false alarm. We soon settled into something far less dramatic. After an hour, Suburbs replaced both their goalscorers. Further subs followed soon (including U16s rep Saxon), with Saki Yoshida stepping into midfield to readdress the balance. The Nix eventually threw on 14 year old Eliza Vincent for a debut. Georgie Furnell did have one good chance for the Nix striking across goal on the break but it was an uneventful second half with the damage having already been done in the first spell.

Righto then. Eastern Subs with a clean sheet victory, that’ll please the coach (it was announced during the week that Stephen Hoyle is soon to take up the role of Community Development Officer for the Hawke’s Bay region with Central Football – his brother Jim plays for Napier City Rovers and Steve did play for Hawke’s Bay United when he first moved to Aotearoa a decade ago). Actually, both coaches should be fairly happy. The Nix battled hard until the end and improved as the game went along, with two of the three goals they conceded being from shots outside the box that didn’t necessarily reflect their defensive shape. Ella McCann had some nice touches up front while Sienna Candy had her most involved game with several examples of her spinning out of pressure. Alyssha Eglinton made a difference when she came on. This was progress for both sides.

Wellington Phoenix Reserves 0-3 Eastern Suburbs

3’ | ES | 0-1 | Mettam (Benson)

28’ | ES | 0-2 | Lancaster

31 | ES | 0-3 | Lancaster (Brooke)

Waterside Karori vs Auckland United

Fascinating game right here because it wasn’t obvious which way it should be expected to go. Auckland United only lost to Eastern Suburbs but it was only a late comeback that did for them. Waterside Karori are new on this WNL scene and while they did take four points from the first two rounds they also hadn’t played an Auckland team yet. These teams did have one opponent in common though: Canterbury United. Karori beat them 4-1, United beat them 4-2. Not a lot to glean from that.

Big blow for Waterside with Sarah Morton not in the squad. Without her, Saskia Vosper channelled her A-League experience and switched to that spot in the middle of the back three. Grace McRobie also started as a forward therefore Renee Bacon took Nikki Furukawa’s spot at right wing-back with Furukawa swapping to the left (where Vosper played last week). Plus with Alisha Perry having gone off injured last week that meant a change in goalkeeper... yet it was Ariana Gray who got that gig rather than Annie Foote who’d been on the bench last time and remained on the bench this time. On the other side, Auckland United gave Shannon Henson a start at striker. Chelsea Elliott also returned as holding midfielder and Penny Brill was at right back for her first start this term. Three changes apiece.

Weird things happen in the NZ National League, that’s part of it’s immense charm. Something weird happened in the third minute of this game when Maisy Dewell stabbed in a low corner kick which keeper Gray initially scooped up with no dramas. But it squeezed out from under her and she had to reach back to grab it off the line. Apparently she didn’t do so in time because the goal was awarded via a tip from the lino. Didn’t look like it was over from the broadcast but that’s hardly definitive evidence... so yeah Auckland United had a third minute lead via an own goal.

Auckland United also had their speedy forwards running and causing trouble – Rene Wasi and Bree Johnson - leading to quite a bit of sloppiness at the back from the Morton-less Karori defence. Sloppiness that they could handle... but it meant they weren’t progressing things smoothly, hence their service to their forwards was from too deep to matter. United kept winning corners and eventually they scored from another one, Harashima with a whipped delivery that Gray came for but couldn’t grasp amidst pressure and Chelsea Elliott was there to pop it over the line. Then Harashima scored one for herself, from open play this time, with a stop-shot from the edge of the box after Talisha Green’s finely placed cut-back.

The annoying thing for the Wharfies is that this was self-inflicted stuff – although big credit to the AU midfield for swarming as they did, Dewell and Harashima on the charge. It stemmed from getting stuck in their own half. When they were able to get out of there, usually via the running threat of Renee Bacon, it was a different story. Especially once Kaley Ward finally began getting touches. Ward got three assists last week and coulda had another in the 41st minute when she ran around the edge and picked out Furukawa, who got three goals last week but scooped this one over the crossbar. Furukawa did do a lot better with her next shot and Aimee Hall had to dive to push it clear.

That took us into the break. Auckland United, for the third game in a row, had scored multiple first-half goals... but they were still searching for their first in a second half. Meanwhile Karori were still searching for their first in this game and they had to keep searching after Hall made a wonderful lunging save to deny, guess who, Furukawa after 49 mins. Ward later found some hints of space in the area but was closed down both times, no room to breathe amidst that United defence. Then Hall was back at it for Ward’s next shot. Aimee Hall’s a curious character. She’s an Australian keeper who last season was with Western Sydney Wanderers (making the bench three times) and prior to that was a training player with the Wellington Phoenix when they were stuck over in Oz – almost getting a gig when Lily Alfeld was away on international duty but she wasn’t yet 18 so the Nix couldn’t sign her as a foreign player, a pesky technicality. That was the game when Charlotte Lancaster was the designated emergency bench goalie.

Ah but with a little over twenty mins remaining we found something that Hall could not save. Margot Ramsay with an utter beaut of a strike, pick that one out. The Wharfies were on the board after all that trying. Needless to say it was Kaley Ward who got the assist for a sharp pass from wide to meet her midfielder in space. Ramsay had a really strong game last week and wasn’t far off that level again this time, giving her team a lifeline in this contest.

Auckland United decided to throw on Pia Vlok, amongst others. Vlok was one of the breakout talents of the U16 squad with her classy attacking skills and even on WNL debut she was able to supply a few eye-catching touches. More than a few, actually. Vlok was basically the heart of AU’s attack while she was out there. The heir apparent to Ruby Nathan’s role at the club... Nathan’s also an accurate player comparison for Vlok if you’re trying to see something there. We’re gonna need a lot more Pia Vlok minutes before this season is done. That girl’s got something.

Waterside didn’t go down without a fight... but they did go down. Lots of long shots and energetic runs but no clear moments to get that second goal and thus they suffered their first defeat of the National League. It was that poor first 25 minutes that cost them. After that it was much more even (granted AU were playing with the knowledge of a three goal lead), although it has to be said that Auckland United have made a habit of quick starts.

All nine of AU’s goals have been scored within the first 33 minutes of matches and they’ve scored within the opening five in all three games. Yet they’ve also been outscored 3-0 in second halves. That’s not normal. But it’s won them two outta three. The Wharfies will just have to try and bounce back next week... they’re clearly capable, but this National League stuff can be ruthless level and a sloppy start can have you three goals down before you realise it.

Waterside Karori 1-3 Auckland United

3’ | AU | 0-1 | Own Goal (Dewell)

20’ | AU | 0-2 | Elliott (Harashima)

22’ | AU | 0-3 | Harashima (Green)

68’ | WK | 1-3 | Ramsay (Ward)

Quick pause to remind the brethren and sistren that we do a Substack newsletter every Monday and Friday and it always includes National League Team of the Weeks, both men and women so get amongst that if you dig the good yarns

Southern United vs Western Springs

Game of the round? Obviously that remained to be seen but after Southern United’s impressive beginning they did shape as the trickiest test yet for Western Springs (two wins from two, 11 goals scored and zero conceded). Particularly down in Dunners – that’s a very long day trip for an Auckland team, as Eastern Suburbs have already found out. Unchanged line-up for Southern after they demolished the WeeNix a week prior, including a continuation of their new back three formation. Two swaps for Western Springs. Maia Vink gave Angelique TuiSamoa her first start in goal and also welcomed Lara Colpi back for the absent Sammi Tawharu. Liz Savage played as the nine with Colpi a central playmaker beneath her. Kate Sheppard Cup hero Ela Jerez was on the bench after helping Aotearoa qualify for the U17 World Cup.

Southern were bright from minute tahi, wasting no time getting into the midfield battle (and what a midfield battle: Lily Taitimu & Jess Innes vs Rose Morton & Kendrah Smith) and honestly they should have taken the lead in the eighth minute when Abby Rankin ran into the area, cut back and drew two defenders, squared for Jemma Wilson... who shot straight at the keeper from penalty spot depth with nobody else around her. Big chance gone begging and instead they conceded when Lily Taitimu got the last touch on a goal-mouth scramble off a corner kick. Stacks on the mill but Taitimu claimed it and we’ll take her word for it.

The off-ball movement from Springs was troublesome, dragging the Southern defence out of shape. In past years, Southern would have struggled with that but this year they have alternatives. They can simply pass their way out of such pressure. So that’s what they did. Amy Hislop is always primed for flicks and tricks so she loves a bouncing ball and there were plenty of those on the Logan Park turd. She volleyed one towards goal for a close miss herself before whipping another over her shoulder for Abby Rankin to dash onto. Rankin rounded the keeper but ran out of room. However the intentions were clear and on 32’ the Southerners drew level.

It stemmed from Toni Power stepping up and crossing into the area from deep. A slight flick-on by Abby Rankin met Margi Dias who took an awkward touch (she’s not much bigger than a hobbit so the aerials are a bit of a menace) and then unleashed an off-balance shot. It seemed for sure like the ball was going wide but nah mate it skipped off the turf and nestled in off the post... to the surprise of even Dias herself. With that, Western Springs had finally conceded their first goal of the season after 211 minutes of footy (not quite as long as Christchurch United in the MNL, who lasted 250 minutes before Yousif Al-Kalisy scored a banger against them).

You know that old wives yarn about how bad news comes in threes? Yeah, well, your nana didn’t lie. That Dias goal began a five minute spell of some of the most incredible footballing activities you’ll ever see. That goal was scrappy but there was nothing scrappy about the ferocious bomb that Kendrah Smith launched for a stunning long-range free kick goal. Nor the first-time volley that Margi Dias struck running onto a throw-in to make it 3-1... Springs went 211 minutes without conceding and then letting in three goals in three minutes. But Lara Colpi did get them back into the race with a missile launcher that was just as good as those previous bangers. Honestly, three unreal goals and they were all scored within 120 seconds. Only in the NZ National League can we bear witness to such sacred events.

It shoulda been 3-3 in the 39th min but Liz Savage couldn’t get her feet right to pop a bouncing ball home from six yards and Morton cleared it away off the line. Amy Hislop sliced a defender seconds later only to hit the side-netting from a similar range with the near post open to her (hint of offside about that chance so perhaps it was for the best). Lara Colpi blasted another on target from a trick free kick but Amy Simmers was able to hold that one down low. Simmers did get beaten to a ball by Savage, rushing off her line and getting caught out, but Mackay-Wright blocked the Garcia shot that followed. Then Hislop forced a save on the end of a Rankin cross with the last major act of the half. Incredible stuff. 3-2 at HT.

They were dangerous days when Springs conceded a foul in what will henceforth be known as Kendrah Smith Territory. Smith had a dig and hit the wall this time, but her follow up volley fell right into the path of Hislop... who couldn't get a clean shot away. That was an increasingly rare thing for the home side though. Western Springs were ramping it up and Amelia Simmers was having more and more to do in goal for SU. But Southern have never minded sitting deep when they have to and with a war-ready back three of Toni Power, Hannah Mackay-Wright, and Marisa Porteous they were handling the jandal. Springs threw on Ela Jerez. Southern made a few subs themselves (including replacing HMW who was on a yellow). So far they’d kept their head above water but the boat was filling up fast.

But then: DRAMA. Tiana Hill got a yellow card for sliding in on Rankin out on the sideline. Sprigs were up. Can’t complain. However the assistant on that side saw it more harshly than that and called the ref over to say as much. The punishment was upgraded to a red card. Bit controversial... Hill is a rugged player but she’s not a dirty player and both sides seemed to have accepted the initial yellow. That red card changed the game quite significantly, levelling out the flow of attacks which allowed Southern to slow things down via a succession of corner kicks. Springs still had some moments but it wasn’t like it had been. Southern United held on to win 3-2 thanks to that remarkable three-minute burst of goals.

What a game that was. Only downside was seeing Liz Savage carried off on a stretcher near the end with what appeared to be an ankle injury. Savage has been outrageously effective so far and the league is better with her involved as much as possible – fingers crossed it’s nothing serious. Springs weren’t bad. Jaedeci Uluvili had another solid game in defence while Lara Colpi was excelled in that central role. Ela Jerez showed some hints off the bench too. But a few magical goals from their opponents took it away from them.

Got to say that Southern United are the real deal after that, bloody hell. Kendrah Smith has been one of the signings of the season coming down from West Coast Rangers and her clubmate Marisa Porteous just had her best WNL game yet. Amy Hislop and Margi Dias have known quantities of prestige but spare some love for the mahi of Abby Rankin. One of the most underrated talents in the whole competition. Southern have six points from three games and have already played both of last year’s finalists. This train has no brakes. It cannot slow down.

Southern United 3-2 Western Springs

11’ | WS | 0-1 | Taitimu

32’ | SU | 1-1 | Dias (Rankin)

34’ | SU | 2-1 | Smith

35’ | SU | 3-1 | Dias (Hislop)

36’ | WS | 3-2 | Colpi (Innes)

73’ | WS | Red card for Hill

Ellerslie vs Wellington United

One more game for the round and it was Ellerslie hosting Wellington United, the Ponies versus the Diamonds. Two best nicknames in the competition. Ellerslie were at least hoping to score their first goal of the campaign... thing is, they’ve actually been alright outside of a pair of terrible starts. Four of the seven goals they’ve conceded have come within 25 minutes. They made two changes to the team that lost to Springs with Abby Wright making her second start at fullback and Kathryn Gow doing the same on the right wing. One change for Wellington United who were seeking to remain undefeated: midfielder Sammi Preval returning to the eleven after a bench outing versus Central. All three of Ellerslie’s games have been in Auckland so far but they travel to Canterbury next week to make up for that. This was Welly Utd’s first match outside the capital city.

Scrappiness abounded in the opening stages with the midfielders duelling it out. But in the 15th minute we got a bit of history. Cat Pretty with a superb switch of play to find Kathryn Gow wide right, who chipped a tasty cross into the middle where Britney Cunningham-Lee came flying through to head Ellerslie into the lead. No poor start this time... they had a National League goal and a lead to go with it.

The Diamonds were better in possession but Ellerslie had a press going and almost bagged a second when BCL nicked the ball off keeper Molly Simons and Pretty tried to lob her from range only to narrowly miss the target. Not as narrowly as Natalie Olson did in the other direction though, her dipping long shot popping off the crossbar after 25 mins. Pepi Olliver-Bell was charged down by keeper Petra Wedlake after a super pass from Jemma Catherwood, while Jemma Robertson also blazed over and POB just wide so Welly Utd were creating too. But not cleanly enough. Wedlake was picking off all their crosses. Ellerslie remained 1-0 up at HT however that wasn’t the case for much longer... because barely two minutes into the second half they made it 2-0. Anita Trudgen with the overlapping delivery from the left and Caelin Patterson got caught in the wrong place at the wrong time for the oggie. Seemed to clip the post on the way over which is what threw everyone off. Now we really had a game on our hands.

Despite the deficit, Welly Utd had shown enough to suggest they had goals in them and POB nearly supplied one with a cutting shot that Wedlake left some fingerprints upon. Hope Gilchrist tried her luck with a free kick attempt as well but it wasn’t looking good for them as we reached the 60 minute mark and Ellerslie still led by a pair. Wasn’t looking good at all.

Would you believe that Wellington United went on to win it 5-2 from there? Because they did. Thrillingly. Spectacularly. Remarkably. It began with Cunningham-Lee on the charge and Caelin Patterson making a superb transitional tackle before Gilchrist fed substitute Lilian Davies on the right and her cross was met by Pepi Olliver-Bell at the far post to make it three games in a row with a goal for her. Deri Corfe is the only player to have scored in each round of the MNL. Pepi Olliver-Bell is the only player to have scored in each round of the WNL. That goal came in the 63rd minute. In the 67th a corner kick was spilled by Wedlake to allow Canadian midfielder Ellie Kabayama to slap in an equaliser.

Kim Oosterbeek missed a wonderful chance to put the Ponies back in the lead with a header that she simply didn’t get enough contact on. Then BCL went storming into the penalty area but the attention from Patterson was just enough to prevent her being able to finish. Needed to stick a dirty toepoke onto that one and Cunningham-Lee woulda had her second. BCL also reckoned she shoulda had a penalty soon afterwards on account of a sliding challenge from Zoe Barrott. Must’ve been a toe on the ball because the ref was having none of it.

Those are the moments that you rue when it all goes astray. Ellerslie had hauled back the momentum with a few good chances at 2-2, which remained the state of play after ninety minutes. However ninety minutes ain’t the sum total because there were seven minutes added on due to stoppages and that ledt quite a lot of room for further activities. Like when a Catherwood cross wasn’t fully cleared and Sophie Dijkstra, the substitute, picked out the bottom corner for the Diamonds lead. Or when Ellerslie threw numbers forward after winning a corner but Molly Simons clutched it out of the air and fed Catherwood on the counter who carried the ball from goalbox to goalbox and won a penalty which Dijkstra converted. Or when Dijkstra threaded a ball forward for POB who caught the keeper out of position and then punted her second of the day to make it 5-2 with the last kick of the game.

Ellerslie started this game with a plan to finally put a ninety minute performance together and they did exactly that... but forgot to factor in stoppage time and lost 5-2. The National League runs rampant once again. But the Ponies are getting used to it, slowly yet surely. This was Cunningham-Lee’s most effective game yet, while Trudgen is a weapon out wide and Pretty a force in midfield. A hint more poise and they’d have regained the lead in that strong spell between the 70-80 mins. Maybe next week.

Don’t look now but Wellington United are second on the ladder. Seven points from three games. Yet to face any of the major contenders (aka the top three Auckland clubs) but so far so good. This is the team that finished second in the Central League and second in the Kate Sheppard Cup. It’s been a silver season so far... fittingly they won this game thanks to two goals each from Pepi Olliver-Bell and Sophie Dijkstra, breaking up what had been a 2-2 scoreline as the regulation ninety expired. Dijkstra was only subbed on after 84 mins yet still found time for two goals and an assist.

Ellerslie AFC 2-5 Wellington United

15’ | E | 1-0 | Cunningham-Lee (Gow)

48’ | E | 2-0 | Own Goal (Trudgen)

63’ | WU | 2-1 | Olliver-Bell (Davies)

67’ | WU | 2-2 | Kabayama

90+2’ | WU | 3-2 | Dijkstra

90+7’ | WU | 4-2 | Dijkstra [pen] (Catherwood)

90+9’ | WU | 5-2 | Olliver-Bell (Dijkstra)

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