2023 Women’s National League – Week 6
Waterside Karori vs Ellerslie AFC
Week six kicked off at Martin Luckie Park with our only Saturday match of the round – part of a double header after Wellington Olympic had beaten Petone in the men’s comp. Waterside Karori were hoping to secure consecutive wins for the first time, having beaten Central 3-1 last match, while Ellerslie were just hoping to at least score a goal and maybe earn their first point. It’s been a brutal adjustment to the National League for that lot... however their 1-0 loss to Auckland United in the previous round was as solid as they’ve been so far.
Ellerslie made one change to that side and it was at goalkeeper with 18 year old Kelsea King deputising for the absent Petra Wedlake. The Wharfies swapped a couple of things around. Sarah Morton was good to go after missing three weeks... but she came in as a defensive midfielder rather than the back three role she’d been playing. Saskia Vosper’s been going alright and Margot Ramsay is injured so it made sense. Kennedy Bryant and Grace McRobie also came back into the starting team.
There was a raucous “Wharfies!” chant out of the huddle. The home side were fired up, they had ideas, they had ambition. They had lots of early possession. The two wing-backs were heavily involved, especially Renee Bacon, though Nicola Ross also fizzed a shot over the top. And it was a genuine shock that they didn’t take the lead after four minutes when Kaley Ward made a great angled run onto a magnificent Bacon pass only to drag her finish wide of the far post. Everything was precise except the last touch. Unusual for such a quality finisher.
Soon came an even better ball from Bacon, a stunning lob over the top that swerved into the path of Morton’s forward run but she also dragged her shot wide (albeit with a slight defensive touch this time). It was McRobie’s turn next. Jenna Barry hit a wondrous through ball and this time the shot was on target from GM but King made the save down low. Chuck in a few more blocked efforts and long rangers and the Wharfies were all over it. Ward barely missed McRobie on the cut-back. A Ward free kick almost seemed to be saved by accident as King got the better of Ward again – living up to the ancient feudal system rankings. It was a dominant start from Waterside Karori... yet no goals to show for it.
Going the other way, Britney Cunningham-Lee vs Saskia Vosper was shaping up as a tasty battle. So far Vosper was getting the best of it. BCL’s strength and mobility made her one of the few outlets that Ellerslie could rely on, the other being Cat Pretty’s deep shots. BCL almost rushed keeper Annie Foote off the ball but Foote was able to fight through it. As rough as it had been for the Ponies they’d withstood the carnage and now were beginning to drag the game further forward. King did still need to make a couple important saves against Barry, while Ward put the ball in the net from an offside position, but then Ellerslie went super close as Kim Oosterbeek headed over from a corner. Big chance. Foote also had to make a double save to deny Pretty and then BCL.
Ah but you have to take those chances when they arise. Ellerslie have struggled to do that all season and once again they were punished for it as Kaley Ward finally put the Wharfies into the lead late in the first half. KW chipped one over for Barry to chase. It didn’t happen for Barry but a sliding challenge only bumped the ball back to Ward on the edge of the area. No need for a security touch. She swung her foot and curled it top corner. Killer finish.
The Wharfies subbed on Mei Burden for Devyn Crawford at half-time, a straight swap at CB. Bryant and Ward both had shots on target as second half got going. Ellerslie have shown they can soak up plenty of pressure but when there’s no way out there’s only so long that can resistance last. There was one opportunity for Cilla Fa’afua running free on the counter attack... but Foote rushed out and stayed big to make the save. Tayla Hawes then went off injured with half an hour remaining. That was ominous. Once again the Ponies were still in range entering the latter portions of a game... and once again that range was still beyond them.
What tipped it for the Wharfies was a few more subs leading to Morton moving back into defence and Saskia Vosper out to left wing-back. Vosper’s been doing a mint job as a sweeper but that’s only part of her skill set. Remember the Wellington Phoenix used to use her as an emergency winger on occasion. Unleashed in a position that allowed her to attack, she changed the game... with help from Kaley Ward.
The second goal came in the 67th minute amidst a decent spell of pressure. Renee Bacon lifted a cross over to the far post where Vosper had space enough to bring it down and slip a clever pass into Kaley Ward maybe 7-8 yards out... and you can guess what happened next. Within ten minutes of that act there was another, Kennedy Bryant recycling the ball wide to Renee Bacon who lashed her shot in at the near post from an angle where many would’ve only braved a cross. Ellerslie were within range and then they were not. A familiar tale.
3-0 was the way that it ended. No consolation goal for the Ponies, no hat-trick for Kaley Ward. Karori even took the opportunity to throw on reserve keeper Katia Brown for the last five minutes... the fourth goalkeeper that they’ve used (Alisha Perry, Annie Foote, Ariana Gray, Katia Brown). That’s a lot of goalkeepers. Brown still gets credit for the clean sheet though – the only one kept across either competition this week. Karori were led by their leaders. Kaley Ward with her fourth and fifth goals of the campaign. Saksia Vosper and Sarah Morton showing their professional and international experience. Jess Shilton and Jenna Barry were pretty handy as well. With this win they’re actually now only three points off second place. Right there in the hunt.
Regarding Ellerslie... they just look like a team devoid of belief right now. They aren’t scoring goals and that’s affecting their football, causing them to play with caution and doubt. But Kelsea King did make some slick saves on debut and the promise remains that Cat Pretty will score one of those long shots before the season is through. Maybe even next week against Central in what’s shaping as the wooden spoon playoff. With Eastern Suburbs and Southern United to follow, that’s probably their last realistic chance to put points on the board. Should be a belter of a game considering Central will be feeling the same damn way.
Waterside Karori 3-0 Ellerslie
44’ | WK | 1-0 | Ward
67’ | WK | 2-0 | Ward (Vosper)
75’ | WK | 3-0 | Bacon (Bryant)
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Auckland United vs Southern United
The closeness of this competition heading into the final month... tell ya what. Eastern Suburbs getting popped last week means that every team has lost at least once, in fact five separate teams had lost exactly once prior to this round. A couple of them also had a draw. Three of them did not and were sharing first place. The two of those with the best goal difference were these two teams. Both on 12 points with +7 GD although Auckland United had scored a couple more goals to give them the edge. This was a top of the table clash. Every dropped point from here on out could be devastating. Massive areas.
Bit of a shocker with the Southern United teamsheet with Amy Hislop, their exciting number nine, only named on the bench. Perhaps she was dealing with a knock? These things do happen. Freya Partridge-Moore was also absent after scoring last week in the win over the Cantabs. Tahlia Roome took her spot, a more than adequate replacement, while Raegan Potter made just her second appearance of the year (and her first start) in place of Hislop. Auckland United were also missing their top scorer so it all balanced out. Bree Johnson wasn’t amongst the matchday squad so NZ U20s rep Alexis Cook took her spot. Cook and Rene Wasi as wingers... that’s some searing pace out wide. Chelsea Elliott also came in for injured captain Jess Philpot at centre-back. Those were the only two changes from the narrow win against Ellerslie... which was a Thursday nighter meaning a hefty gap between fixtures for AUFC.
Same as with so many other grounds around the National League in week six, it was a gloomy overcast afternoon at Keith Hay Park. Pretty windy too. Not that Southern were bothered as they instantly set about playing the territory game... with Abby Rankin inches away from converting a Bianca Park ball across the six yard box. Yume Harashima did attempt volley from distance but other than that there wasn’t much for AU to hang their hat on. Their defenders were getting stretched. Then in the 12th minute they conceded. Rankin with a sharp pass towards the striker Potter whose touch (possibly accidentally) found its way to Bee Park in motion. Smooth finish past Aimee Hall. That’s the way to do it. First blood was blue.
That was a flip of the script because Ak Utd are the ones who usually score first. Only one of their 14 goals had come in a second half, while nine of them had been scored inside of 25 minutes. They’d scored first in every other match. In fact the only time they’d ever been behind was in the last five minutes against Eastern Suburbs... and you could see the pressure they were under, as crosses were sliced and passes missed their target and balls over the top ended up in the arms of the goalie. They were getting closer though, and it often only takes one of those passes to stick for everything to change.
Suya Haering flashed an overlapping effort across goal for AU (might’ve been better off looking for the open Shannon Henson in the middle). Tahlia Roome was finding space on the overlap back the other way. Both midfields were working some tidy triangles. It was actually a couple of defensive headers that had Amy Simmers scurrying before anything else. Then came some strange happenings after 34 minutes when Hislop was subbed on for Potter, who’d been looking fine with some sharp lay-offs up top. Must have had a knock because it didn’t make much sense to leave Hislop on the bench only to still sub her on in the first half.
By now it was Auckland United who were winning that territory arm-wrestle. Southern were mostly only about the counter attacks (still very dangerous, to be fair). It took some top shelf hustle for the Southerners to survive a few of those corner kicks into the breeze. Also Simmers made a wonderful double save from a Haering long shot then Canham on the rebound, before soon repeating the dose off a Wasi drive after a lovely set up from Maisy Dewell. Southern needed half-time to hurry up... and it did. Two powerful defensive teams doing powerful defensive work. Auckland United had the momentum but Southern United had the half-time lead.
Not sure what the coaches had to say to their teams during the break because they both came back out with a head of steam, serving up frantic end to end footy. Southern had the edge during that spell but never really created much. Only blocked shot after blocked shot. After around an hour they brought on Jemma Wilson for Park while Auckland United also went to their bench with young phenom Pia Vlok replacing Henson.
It was physical and it was exhausting. Toni Power made a lunging recovery block to keep Cook from getting a clean shot away after Wasi had squared a pass across the area. Just like in the first half, United began to haul things back in their favour as time went by. But unlike the first half, this time they made it count. 74th minute. Talisha Green with the cross and the only lapse all afternoon from the SU defence allowed midfielder Dani Canham to sneak in unmarked and tap home the equaliser.
Southern nearly returned serve straight away as Rankin teed up Margi Dias but Hall made a super save. Jemma Wilson was already celebrating when she realised the ball had gone wide for a corner. It was Southern who continued look more likely to find a winner after that with Hislop having one effort blocked by Green MacIntosh and then a flick header saved by a one-handed Hall. Hislop also dragged a couple of longer shots wide before, in the 90+3rd minute, making a thrilling run into the area, skipping past a couple defenders, only for Hall to thwart her once again. AU sub Poppy O’Brien did also unsuccessfully claim a penalty for a shoulder from Power. But it was hard to argue that a draw wasn’t the right result.
It’s also the result that keeps this competition in the funkiest place leading into the final three weeks... although it does admittedly suit Southern slightly better given their remaining fixtures. SU face Waterside Karori and then the two bottom teams Central and Ellerslie. Auckland United still has to face Western Springs in two weeks as well as a tricky one against Wellington United in their last fixture. You’d be a brave one to predict the grand final from here. She’s a murky vantage point right now.
Defence was the victor of the day. Both goalkeepers, Amy Simmers and Aimee Hall, had excellent games in keeping with their recent performances. Greer MacIntosh and Marissa Porteous were enormous at the back for their respective teams. Yume Harashima was great at CDM for AUFC. Suya Haering had some moments. Amy Hislop was as threatening as ever. Southern have only conceded more than once in a single game this term (a 3-2 win vs Western Springs). Meanwhile that goal was the latest that AU have scored all season and only the second they’ve managed in a second half. You know who scored the other one? Danielle Canham.
Auckland United 1-1 Southern United
12’ | SU | 0-1 | Park (Potter)
74’ | AU | 1-1 | Canham (Green)
Eastern Suburbs vs Central
No two ways about it: Eastern Suburbs got dealt a humbling against Western Springs last week, getting pumped 4-0 in a reverse of last year’s grand final scoreline. But they had won four in a row before that so points were already the board to absorb that damage. Just gotta dust themselves off and go again... with Central Football the unlucky folks to catch them in comeback mode.
It was a curious team from the Lilywhites. Kate Williamson got her first start at CB, this time going with a specialist option rather than a more established job-doer as they tried last time with Aimee Atkins. Williamson is still a teenager in her first year with the club after transferring from Fencibles at the start of 2023. They also left experienced club folks like Erinna Wong and the two Nicoles (Cooper and Mettam) on the bench against winless Central, instead giving opportunities to Hayley Miller and Sophia Dyer, plus another Emily Lyon start up front. But most crucial of all was the return of midfield dominator Charlotte Wilford-Carroll... who captained the side in place of Mettam. Notably it was Zoe Benson who played left wing-back with Charlotte Lancaster given a central attacking midfield role.
Central had to make the trip to Madills Farm without their midfield leader Grace Smith after her red card last week. Helpfully they did have Liz Ingham ready to go as a replacement, while Saskia Pelham made her first start of the term on the wing and Megan Thomas returned to the line-up at fullback. Isla Cleall-Harding was named amongst the subs, the NZ U16s representative in line for appearance tahi of the WNL.
These two sides are at opposite ends of the table, with Eastern Suburbs expected to romp towards victory, yet Central have begun to show a sneaky knack for creating chances these past few weeks. Especially when Mikaela Bouwmeester and Maddison Hughes are able to link together... as they did after only five minutes with Hughes winning a corner after dragging a save out of Brooke Bennett with the first clear chance of the contest. Suburbs seemed to be having trouble both adapting to having fresh combinations up front and also playing into a sturdy breeze. No kidding: Central hardly had any ball in the first ten minutes and yet they had all the shots (nothing closer than that Hughes attempt though).
However that breeze can come in handy sometimes, like when Wilford-Carroll’s chip over the top held up for Lancaster to get there and fire a shot on target and win a corner. That was about when the home side began to figure things out. Ella Findlay wasn’t far away with a driven long shot. Lyon had one that never quite sat up for her. Then in the 21st minute Hayley Miller picked up the half-cleared scraps of a CWC cross and stuck her laces into it for 1-0.
That did not prove to be the floodgate opening moment they were hoping for. Suburbs continued trying to push the ball in behind the lines but despite some decent movement from Lyon they weren’t getting much from it. Sarah Swinbanks and Aimee MacNee have proved all season that they can scrap it out when needed. The game was pretty much entirely in the Central half... but there’s wiggle room within that ‘pretty much’ and in the 41st minute a misplaced pass by Williamson led to a tantalising cross from Hughes. That cross narrowly missed Bouwmeester in the middle but Arya Blackler wasn’t able to clear it and Bouwmeester slid the little round thing over the line to make it 1-1 at the midpoint. Hmmm. Could they?
No they could not. Eastern Suburbs went with the half-time trick of subbing on Nicole Mettam. That was a good idea. Within a minute of the restart, Mettam had whipped a perfect switch of play out to Dyer on the right. She then collected the ball back and drilled a tasty cross along the six yard box where Lyon wasn’t able to convert it but Charlotte Lancaster sure was. Into the top corner. Don’t even worry about it. The Lilywhites were back in front... and this time the floodgates were for real.
A minute later Lancaster drilled a low cross towards Hayley Miller who scored her second of the day. Then six minutes after that a magical first touch and turn and switch from CWC put Lancaster into a bit more room on the left – note that Lancaster and Benson had swapped places at HT, another very clever alteration from manager Stephen Hoyle – and although the goal was a bit of a fluke it was still the benefit of heavy pressure. Lancaster went for a cross, sliced it, and it sailed just over Sophie Campbell’s leap for 4-1.
That was enough of a buffer that they didn’t need to risk Wilford-Carroll any further... she’d been absolutely brilliant in her 55 minutes. Nicole Cooper replaced her, while Aimee Atkins came on for Lyon at the same time. A short spell later it was also Annie Byrne for Dyer and Erinna Wong for Blackler. Isla Cleall-Harding had gotten amongst it for Central a little earlier... not the most happily portentous time for a season debut.
It ought to have been fives on the hour when yet another smart Lancaster delivery led to Benson and Cooper both having efforts saved by the prodigious reactions of Campbell in goal, then Cooper got blocked with the third try. Campbell made another superb stop against Cooper soon after – one more reminder that Sophie Campbell (born in 2007) is a top tier Aotearoa goalkeeping prospect. Findlay ought to have done better with a Byrne cross that she kinda messed up. This wasn’t getting any easier for Central. The fifth goal eventually went in on 66 minutes and it was Charlotte Lancaster once more. A hat-trick against her old team... her celebrations were definitely more muted than Luis Toomey for the Eastern Suburbs men against his old WeeNix team.
She did save a smile for her fourth goal though. Had to. It was the best of the lot. A deep free kick from Findlay (who’d just dusted herself off after attempting an overhead kick – on target but straight at the keeper and the landing looked a wee bit heavy on the ol’ hipbone), which dropped inside the six yard box with Lancaster sprinting onto it and lashing a half-volley into the roof of the net. Takes some outrageous technique to be able to do that. Jeepers.
It had been a slightly more open game prior to the sixth goal, with Central advancing far enough for a few long range attempts. It would be so again. However there were no more goals so it’s okay to relax. Lancaster did hit the crossbar as she continued to terrorise, and Cooper had a 1v1 denied by the reaching leg of Campbell, but 6-1 was the way it all wrapped up. And just in time because even by Madills Farm standards the dogs were encroaching. That place is dog park first, football pitch second. There was even a pitch invader after one of the goals. Two if you count the pigeon that tried to ruin a Lancaster free kick earlier. The Madills Farm Wildlife Reserve. More classic National League areas...
Four goals and an assist for Charlotte Lancaster. Get her back in the A-League, surely. Lancaster isn’t the most efficient player but she does things that nobody else can. She has the hardest shot in the WNL and is not afraid to use it. If you can cope with a few shots that sail high and wide then you’re going to see some absolute bangers. Plus her crossing is getting really good and she’s strong with decent pace. As soon as she moved to left wing-back it was a different game. Credit also to Hayley Miller for a tidy striker’s performance. Charlotte Wilford-Carroll was brilliant. It took forty-six minutes to get there but this was the emphatic bounce-back that they were looking for.
For Central... there’s not much they can do on days like this. Even still, Sophie Campbell managed to impress despite conceding six. Bouwmeester and Hughes remain a dangerous combination. Just gotta find a way to bring Ruby-Aroha Gurnick and her lighting pace into that mix to make it a trio. That might be something to ponder next week when they host Ellerslie in the battle for the wooden spoon.
Eastern Suburbs 6-1 Central
21’ | ES | 1-0 | Miller
41’ | C | 1-1 | Bouwmeester
46’ | ES | 2-1 | Lancaster (Mettam)
47’ | ES | 3-1 | Miller (Lancaster)
53’ | ES | 4-1 | Lancaster (Wilford-Carroll)
66’ | ES | 5-1 | Lancaster (Benson)
79’ | ES | 6-1 | Lancaster (Findlay)
Canterbury United Pride vs Wellington Phoenix Reserves
It’s been an unusual season for the Pride of Canterbury. They did beat Ellerslie two weeks ago but then fell back to earth with a 2-1 loss away to Southern United. Four points from five games ain’t what this federation is used to... but they’re rebuilding so that’s how it goes. One of the reasons they’re rebuilding is that the pesky Wellington Phoenix have seven ex-Canterbury players on first team contracts, robbing all their bloody talent.
With the A-League Women’s on international break this week (and no Football Ferns games), in theory the entire Phoenix club was available for the trip down to Christchurch’s English Park. But luckily for the home side there were no WeeNix starters who hadn’t already featured at some stage of this WNL season. The only first-teamers were Zoe McMeeken and Daisy Brazendale who are scholarship players. Sienna Candy and Alyssha Eglinton returned to the XI. NZ U17s striker Angela Pivac and defender Mackenzie Bryant were on the bench in search of their first appearances of the year. Meanwhile the Pride were unchanged from the side that lost to Southern... which in fairness is probably their best eleven (maybe give or take Chloe Bellamy who had to be content with a spot amongst the subs again).
The WeeNix’s two positive results have come via large contributions from A-League players. When that lot haven’t been there it’s had to be a more developmental approach where errors have had to be tolerated. They didn’t have the big guns here and some initial messiness playing out from the back had them in trouble. A more clinical Pride team would’ve been two-up in no time at all. Even still, Whitney Hepburn was convinced that her touch from a Charlotte Mortlock corner kick had crossed the line. No goal given. Not that it mattered because roughly sixty seconds later they won another corner from the other side and the same thing happened. Nobody stopped this one from crossing the line. Hepburn with the eighth minute breakthrough. Then entire game had taken place in the Phoenix’s half to that point.
For her next trick, Charlotte Mortlock decided not to bother even using a teammate and simply curled in an Olimpico goal of her own...
Mortlock then tried to add to that from open play, with a low shot smacked on target that Charlotte Eagle was able to wrap her hands around. It had been a horrendous start from the Nix though they did begin to regain their equilibrium after that thanks in part to the midfield drives of Eglinton and also some improved corner kick defence (Trewhitt heading over, Eagle claiming a couple others). But the territory balance was still completely skewed. The press from the Cantabs was overwhelming (of which Mortlock was also a huge contributor). Anna McPhie had a couple of chances, including one that was expertly saved by Eagle. There was just one time, a single lone instance, when the Nix got as far as the opposition penalty area in that first half. It was a corner kick in stoppage time... and they very nearly scored but Trewhitt couldn’t turn the loose ball on target then Lara Wall cleared it away as Ella McCann tried to pounce.
A comprehensive first forty-five. Yet you’d have to admit that the windy conditions had a large role to play in both those wicked corner kicks and also the difficulty that the WeeNix had in getting out of their own half. Neither team made changes at the break however it was a much improved Nix team that returned. They were using the width a little more and even getting a shot away via a McCann header. But it wasn’t enough. Nine minutes into the spell they let in a third as Aimee Phillips tapped in from close range, kept onside as Nicola Dominikovich dragged a shot that turned into a perfect cross.
The Pride took the opportunity to make some substitutions, giving Chloe Bellamy, Jonelle Arthur, and Sara Mann nearly half an hour of action. Onwards this game went with the same patterns... until a clever nudge over the top from Marie Green put Ella McCann through on goal only for the striker, who has five goals already this season, to put her shot wide with only the goalie to beat. Angie Pivac popped up soon after that, amongst others. Mackenzie Bryant got her nod near the end.
Eventually the Nix did get one back, as Zoe McMeeken charged through an attempted clearance and finished smoothly for her second of the campaign. Doubt that’s the first goal she’s scored on this turf through the years. Additionally, Pivac had a shot deflected wide while the Nix got to fire in a few corner kicks with the breeze blowing heavy. Their last ten minutes were much better than the first ten, that’s for sure. Alas, there were no more goals in this one. It ended 3-1 to Canty, the Pride claiming their second win of the year.
It was a spectacular performance from Charlotte Mortlock - who was part of the U17 World Cup squad last year. She was swarming for interceptions, playing confidently with the ball, and of course hurling in those remarkable corner kicks. Anna McPhie was also a menace in a game which allowed her to push forward from midfield more often. Chuck in nods for Whitney Hepburn and Aimee Phillips and Lara Wall too. The Cantabs got in front swiftly thanks to their tireless work out of possession, refusing to let the Phoenix out of their defensive zone. Established that lead in a hurry then managed it from there. A more clinical team would’ve run up the score some more but that’s now where CUP are at right now so it’d be rude to demand as much.
Similar with the WeeNix. This was them in youth team mode and that’s going to mean mistakes. They struggled to adapt to the set piece threat at first and it ultimately cost them... yet despite that CBs Marie Green and Ella McMillan mostly defended really well. Alyssha Eglinton continues to look like the real deal. Charlotte Eagle made some saves and a few high claims. And of course Zoe McMeeken’s level up continues. A supreme athlete. Credit to them for fighting all the way to the final whistle. The way they got dominated in the first half was kinda rudimentary but this team has to be allowed room to learn from those things. They’ll get there. Let them grow.
Canterbury United Pride 3-1 Wellington Phoenix Reserves
8’ | CU | 1-0 | Hepburn (Mortlock)
11’ | CU | 2-0 | Mortlock
54’ | CU | 3-0 | Phillips (Dominikovich)
83’ | WP | 3-1 | McMeeken
Wellington United vs Western Springs
Heading into this round, the top five teams were separated by only two points. That became top six after Waterside Karori’s win on Saturday. Both of these clubs were part of that mad scramble with 10 points each... although they were very different 10 point tallies. Wellington United were just beginning a four week stretch in which they face the three top Auckland teams (plus Canterbury) whereas Western Springs just whalloped Eastern Suburbs 4-0. One team still had to prove they could win these kinds of games, the other had nothing to prove and everything to gain if they could keep on trucking. Oh yeah and this was also a rematch of the Kate Sheppard Cup final. Slightly different teams, granted, as Springs have brought back their Japanese stars while United have been able to scoop up a few guest players. But that cup final was extremely close and this one always ought to be too.
Western Springs made... zero alterations to the glory of last week. Why would they? Captain Lily Jervis did return to the bench though Kitty Jacob held her spot for now. Sam Tawharu joined her amongst the substitutes so there was quality running deep for the Hoops. Wellington United came from two goals down to beat the WeeNix last time and one of the players who helped spark that comeback was Natalie Olson... she was rewarded with a start here. Sophie Dijkstra too – her first start of the term (even though she’s already got two goals to her name). Newtown Park was where it was at. Important game for both sides. Let’s rock.
Ela Jerez stung the palms of the United keeper before Natalie Olson skimmed the woodwork down the other end with a long shot. Both sides threw exploratory punches in the initial minutes though it was Springs who predictably settled quicker. It took a stunner of a one-handed save from Molly Simons to keep Lara Colpi from adding another wondergoal to her collection. That only delayed the inevitable because from the corner that followed, Jess Innes curled in one of those wicked in-swingers of hers and it was probably going in directly but Lily Taitumu removed all doubt from the equation by adding a final touch.
Corner kicks can lead to funny things. The Diamonds got one of their own five minutes later, after a few Hope Gilchrist midfield skirmishes had hauled them into the other half. Dijkstra did the honours with that delivery and swirled it sweetly towards the near post where Pepi Olliver-Bell headed in her sixth of the season. Goal. Back on level terms after 15 minutes.
POB had a chance to go level with opponent Sofia Garcia, who is on seven goals, when Lilian Davies crossed one over but she side-footed it over the top after 23 minutes. There was some decent stuff going on for the Diamonds. Wouldn’t go so far as to say they were on top but they were certainly holding their own, controlling possession at the back and seeking out opportunities to set their wingers in motion. Overall the defenders for both teams seemed to be calling the shots, as you’d expect considering the quantities of renowned tacklers in this one. Uluvili, Gilchrist, Barrott, Taitimu, etc. Hard to get much going when that lot are on form (no wonder the two goals had come from set pieces).
Nevertheless, they say there’s an exception to every rule. This time that exception belonged to Lara Colpi. She’s been so good this season. She was one of the best in the Kate Sheppard Cup final. She’s been even better since she moved into a central role, picking up for the loss of Liz Savage due to injury. And it seems as though she scores a goal this good every couple of weeks. Lara Colpi is fast raising her reputation into the very top tier.
Half-time came and went with Springs maintaining that narrow lead. Taitimu had the opportunity to add to it after a slick feed from Colpi (of course) only for her shot to fly straight into the hands of Simons. Rina Hirano also had a close one that she punted into the side netting. Western Springs were creating chances. The issue for United was that they were not. Despite some decent footy they weren’t actually testing Angelique TuiSamoa at all. Jemma Catherwood stabbed a lovely ball across goal for no takers and even that was a rarity. But they remained close enough that Springs felt the need to bring on Jervis and Tawharu after 58 minutes. Can’t be messing about when the standings are this slippery. WU had already chucked on Dani Ohlsson at the break. They added Sarah Alder to the conversation alongside those Springs subs.
WSAFC were capable of more goals. Garcia and Tawharu both had cracks from good positions to make that perfectly clear. Not that they’d need any more if Wgtn Utd couldn’t summon something and that didn’t seem likely as we ticked into the final twenty. Springs just gave them nothing to work with. Arisa Takeda was as good as ever. Lily Jervis helped lock it down alongside Jaedeci Uluvili... and that lot only had to go to work in the abnormal instances that Innes and Taitimu hadn’t already done the job. A third goal for insurance would’ve gone down alright but they got away without it.
2-1 to Springs... another huge three points as they march towards another potential grand final appearance. Lara Colpi is amazing. Takeda, Innes, Taitimu, etc. This isn’t always definitive when it comes to results but Western Springs do most likely have the strongest first eleven in the comp. The defensive grit they displayed here will serve the cause nicely. Don’t think Wellington United will be making that grand final now... but that was always unrealistic and to be honest they still raised their reputation with this one. Very good defensively. Battled away in the midfield the whole time. Pepi Olliver-Bell got another goal. Hope Gilchrist is one of the best in the entire WNL. Jemma Catherwood catches the eye every game. Take what Springs did to Eastern Suburbs a week ago and a narrow defeat here looks perfectly fine in context.
Wellington United 1-2 Western Springs
10’ | WS | 0-1 | Taitimu (Innes)
15’ | WU | 1-1 | Olliver-Bell (Dijkstra)
39’ | WS | 1-2 | Colpi (Innes)
Another remarkable week of National League footy... if you rate the reads then please support what we do on Patreon or with a paid Substack so we can afford to giving this league the coverage it deserves
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Keep cool but care
