2023 Women’s National League – Week 9
Wellington United vs Auckland United
The final round of fixtures in the men’s competition provided dead rubber on top of dead rubber. National League footy being the spectacular event that it is, the lads still offered some almighty excitement along the way... but the women’s comp was where it was truly at in week nine. Here all five games had relevance to either the wooden spoon or the grand final. In this case it was Auckland United travelling down to face a tricky Diamonds side knowing that a win and they’d be lining up at Mount Smart Stadium one week later... but anything other than a win and they risked getting pipped at the post.
Big call from AU coach Ben Bate in leaving Rene Wasi on the bench to begin with. Shannon Henson returned up front instead... and you could see the logic. United have struggled to put teams away lately. Three of their four previous games had seen them only scoring once. Wasi’s finishing has been below par amidst that although more than anything it was an issue of having three forwards who are all vertical runners and needing the variety of a typical number nine like Henson. Other than that there were going to be no changes from the side that won 1-0 against Western Springs... until Dani Canham was scratched just before kickoff with 17yo Penny Brill taking her spot in midfield. As much as their attack has left room to improve, their defence is inarguably the best in the business right now having conceded just twice in five matches.
Wellington United are always dangerous opponents. As well as also boasting a powerful defence, they have a tendency to score lots of early goals and lots of late goals. Of their 17 overall goals prior to this round, 5 were being scored in the opening 15 mins and 6 were scored after the 75-minute mark. Only 6 in the intervening hour. WU were without Sarah Alder again, so they returned to the back-four formation with Lilian Davies entering at right back. No further changes following a 2-1 win down in Canterbury. The Triple-Os were there in attack (along with Jemma Robertson) and Petone Memorial Park was the venue – one of three different home venues across five games for WU. Two at PMP, two at Newtown Park, one at Wakefield Park. Plus because they had away games against Waterside Karori and Wellington Phoenix they’ve also played at Martin Luckie Park and Fraser Park. Five different Wellington venues. Only two games outside the capital... and weirdly they won them both (Ellerslie & CU Pride).
This one was all about the duels as the two fastest forward lines going around tried to evade the aggressive ball-winning central defenders they were up against. That was true both ways though it was Auckland United who initially looked more promising – never more so than when Maisy Dewell pinged a long shot that hit the woodwork almost precisely where the post and crossbar meet. There were also a couple instances where things didn’t quite break for Bree Johnson... such as a 17th minute cross from Alexis Cook towards her fellow winger which Johnson couldn’t guide on target. Or a rare runaway on 24’ that she took a little wider than preferred and couldn’t hit the target. The Diamonds were more about early passes into space but Greer Macintosh mostly had that covered – aside from the one where she picked up a yellow card for shouldering her marker over. Pepi Olliver-Bell did spark one rapid transition down the right, leading to a super cut-back, but no shot on target was forthcoming.
Each of these two teams know their way around an early goal so of course the first half hour would be scoreless. Auckland Utd were celebrating after 35 minutes when Talisha Green ripped a shot from a corner which was saved and then headed in by Henson on the rebound... except Henson was offside so nope didn’t count. The longer it stayed at 0-0, the more it suited the Wellington side. They didn’t have anything to lose. Auckland Utd did. Their grand final spot depended on them winning. So they did what they usually do when they need a goal and leant upon the scintillating directness of Bree Johnson on the left wing...
What. A. Goal.
Give it a 1-0 lead at half-time – at which point the Diamonds subbed on reserve keeper Caitlin Cummings for the last forty-five minutes of their season... fair enough. Now Auckland United were in the familiar position of controlling things with a single-goal advantage. They’ve had a lot of practice at that lately. A quick start to the second half had them threatening more goals, with Green’s driven effort well blocked by Zoe Barrott while Johnson’s follow up was saved by a diving Molly Simons. Although not so long afterwards Ellie Kabayama had a huge chance to tie things up with a back-post volley that she stuck the wrong side of the post from close range.
Johnson stung a shot slightly wide off the laces. Lots of Bree Johnson activity in this one. Henson flicked a header over from a Harashima corner – Harashima and Haering were whipping in some wicked deliveries from those ones but credit to Wgtn Utd for dealing with it. On came Rene Wasi... though it was Natalie Olson for WU who next teased the home crowd with a cutting effort that ultimately didn’t test Aimee Hall in goal. AU might have a couple of 1-0s on their record this season but it’s always safer to score a second. And, with visions of a grand final appearance in mind, that’s exactly what they finally did after 68 minutes when Penny Brill slipped a clever pass in for Bree Johnson whose attempt was saved but all goods because Suya Haering was there to gobble up the leftovers.
Hard to see Wellington United coming back from that. They’d already subbed on Cara Chung, then after the goal they sent on Natalie Brook, Sammi Preval, and Liv Deane. Good options, sure, but considering that they took off Olson, Ohlsson, and Patterson it kinda felt like maybe that was a lowkey white flag... until a frisky cross from Lily Davies was turned into her own net by Talisha Green. Quite a development. Very intriguing. A fascinating twist.
Until Chelsea Elliott scored a 40-metre bomb of a free kick and that was that.
Okay, not quite. There was still enough time for a Talisha Green shot to be deflected into the path of substitute Kate McConnell for a simple finish about eight yards out. Make that 4-1 instead. Auckland United are going to the grand final.
It would be fair to say that Cummings didn’t cover herself in glory with that Elliott free kick, though the whip and wobble on the strike made it tougher than it looked. It really was an incredible hit (though somehow only the second best goal of the day, shout out Bree Johnson). Anyway, Auckland United would’ve won regardless. One own goal aside they bossed this thing defensively and as doggedly as Wgtn Utd were able to hold on... they couldn’t do so forever.
This AUFC side have built into some beautiful form, losing only once all season and that was in week two against Eastern Suburbs when they conceded twice in the last ten minutes to get dropped 3-2. That was a lesson they soon absorbed because no lead of theirs has been allowed to slip ever since. Their last seven weeks have seen them win six and draw one, scoring 19 goals and conceding only four. Chelsea Elliott was really good here even aside from the wondergoal. This might’ve been Suya Haering’s best game of 2023, while Bree Johnson just continues to supply the crucial moments – she’s scored in four of their last five games.
In contrast, things kinda got away from Wellington United in the final month, losing three of their last four games and those losses were all against Auckland clubs (they also lost to Southern earlier in the campaign, the only game in which they were kept scoreless). They gave it a go in this one, almost getting back into it with the own goal, but overall they probably lacked the ability to control games in the midfield which puts an otherwise strong defensive unit under more pressure than can be withstood. This was the only time they conceded four times in a game and Eastern Suburbs were the only other team able to put three past WU. This lot were runners-up in the Central League. They were runners-up in the Kate Sheppard Cup. They were fifth equal in the National League (... we’ll come back around to that ‘equal’ bit after the Waterside Karori game). It’s been a pretty good year despite the lack of trophies.
Wellington United 1-4 Auckland United
42’ | AU | 0-1 | Johnson (Elliott)
69’ | AU | 0-2 | Haering (Johnson)
78’ | WU | 1-2 | OG (Davies)
84’ | AU | 1-3 | Elliott
90+4’ | AU | 1-4 | McConnell
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Western Springs vs Waterside Karori
That Wellington Utd vs Auckland Utd match kicked off at 1pm on Sunday. The remaining four games were all an hour behind that which meant that nobody knew what was happening elsewhere as they began their own matches. Everyone just had to mind their own beeswax and hope for the best. So let’s keep things suspenseful and work from fourth place to third place to second place. Western Springs were three points back but with a superior goal difference to everyone above them so basically they needed to win and hope for two out of three other results to go their way. It wasn’t likely. But it was possible. Also they did have the significant matter of Sofia Garcia trying to win the Golden Boot to worry about.
Seddon Fields was the venue but this time Springs were on the grass surface to the side rather than the artificial in front of the clubrooms (there was a fire that damaged the number one pitch, apparently). Sweet, lush, natural grass. Western Springs made two changes from the 1-0 loss to Auckland United that had probably ended their title hopes. Lily Taitimu returned to the fold, always a valuable presence, while they also swapped one young centre-back for an even younger centre-back: Kitty Jacob was on the bench while NZ U16s rep Charli Dunn made her starting debut. Ela Jerez was also in that recent NZ U16s squad and she made her sixth start here.
On the other side Sarah Morton didn’t make the trip so Saskia Vosper moved back into the sweeper role and Nicola Ross got a start... but a start up front rather than as wing-back where she’s usually featured. Renee Bacon swapped sides to be the LWB instead, allowing Nikki Furukawa, who had been playing as a second striker lately, to be the RWB again. Grace McRobie also came into the eleven. Shuffling the deck for the last game.
One of Garcia’s major Golden Boot threats was her compatriot Kaley Ward, who has been doing so much of the damage for the Wharfies lately. Two Americans in direct opposition (Springs also had Mickey Mitchell in goal). Garcia was the first to threaten when she ran onto a sharp pass from Jerez but Furukawa’s sliding challenge was enough to rush the shot which went flying over the top. Jerez then produced another slick run to set up a blocked Tawharu shot. Lara Colpi was getting amongst it with some classy touches. But then, the first chance they got, Waterside Karori broke away and won a penalty as Dunn was adjudged to have had a handful of Ward’s jersey. Kaley Ward took it herself and smashed in her eighth of the season to draw level with Garcia.
It had been all Springs up until then but the goal flipped it. Karori got busy on the press and Springs had to battle through - including some rough-and-tumble midfield duels. They did still look dangerous whenever they got forward but that became rarer and rarer with both sides operating a pinpoint offside trap. Kaley Ward got stung by that trap with one runaway, although the shot went wide anyway. Ward continued to make good things happen and some sharp hold-up play soon led to Jenna Barry striking one on target.
In contrast Garcia was missing her passes and struggling for rhythm. Instead it was Ela Jerez who was the best bet for the home side, who were looking like they’d do well to stay 1-0 down at the half after Ross stung the side-netting with one attempt and McRobie had another blocked by an alert Lily Jervis. Having said that, the last chances of the half did go their way: a snapshot from a spinning Jerez dropped off the crossbar before Tawharu finished the rebound from an offside position (linos were going to have Schwarzenegger biceps by the end of this one) and then a slipping Colpi lifted a 20-yarder over the top. Finally Colpi went surging into the penalty area in stoppage time but some magical footwork wasn’t enough to evade a stunning tackle from Saskia Vosper. That Wharfies back three had been excellent – especially Jess Shilton marking Garcia.
Karori subbed on Jade Morrisey at HT. Grace McRobie was the one replaced, leading to Kaley Ward dropping into an attacking midfield role. Ela Jerez got the second half going by spinning out of a move that seemed to have broken down and crunching a shot on target. She’s got so much talent. An absolute top tier prospect in kiwi football. Lara Colpi, a few years older but also a massive emerging talent, shot wide with a half-decent look as well... though that Karori high press had been refreshed and was asking riddles again.
When Karori did score again, in the 56th minute, it wasn’t via the press but by giving Springs a taste of their own medicine. A ball down the line from Ward, pace and directness from Bacon, easy finish from Morrissey in close after Bacon’s lovely square pass. It was the goal that Springs had been trying to score all day except Saskia Vosper kept sweeping across and stopping them.
By this point, Springs probably knew that Auckland United had won and they can’t have been too confident about those other results. They got lucky when Furukawa’s near post volley flashed across goal and they had to keep hustling at the back to ensure there were no further blows sustained. With twenty minutes to go their slim hopes of a repeat grand final appearance were basically gone. On came Celia Mayo, Kitty Jacob, and Megan Lee in one last hopeful shuffle. Then immediately after that they scored... and it would’ve been a double blow to Kaley Ward when she realised who it was.
Sofia Garcia with number nine for the season. Even on an off day she’s always lurking, as the best forwards do. Arisa Takeda’s free kick over the top was inch-perfect and Garcia did the rest. Karori tried to hit back but Bacon was slightly late on Ward’s cut-back and sliced it wide. Then it was Western Springs on the ascent as Lara Colpi was allowed to carry on despite seeming to trip Mei Burden in getting in behind... Annie Foote made a tremendous save as LC tried to loop it over her. They did eventually give the free kick after the lino intervened. Ten minutes left.
Garcia went close running hard to the near post but not quite flicking Lee’s cross within frame. Rhee Morrison came on for WS. Emma Kruszona for WK. For a split second the Wharfies thought they’d sealed it as Furukawa tapped home from a Ward assist... but they ruled the ball had gone out of play. Ward offered a VAR signal in her appeal, though luckily the NZ National League remains a Luddite’s paradise without any video referrals. Back up the other end, Takeda’s long strike took a touch for a corner from which Lara Colpi’s delivery ended up at the bottom of a pile-on. Bit of scrummaging going on. Weird part was that they gave it as a goal. Colpi was credited so it must’ve gone directly in from the corner kick. One last Olimpico in a season absolutely full of them.
A draw was no good for Springs... so they went and scored another one. Deep into stoppage time the home side bagged a winner and fittingly it was Colpi chipping it over the top towards Ela Jerez, who hadn’t stopped running all afternoon and she didn’t stop here either, dashing into the area and finishing for the 3-2 victory. Incredible finish. It took more than ninety minutes but they finally found some joy against that Karori backline in open play.
The Wharfies did appear to tire as the game went on. Teams who press hard often do – and even that defence had to cover heaps of yardage tracking those Springs runners all day. They might have some frustration about whether that equaliser should’ve been awarded, particularly as it was their second set piece concession. But that doesn’t take away from how well they defended as a unit all game. Especially Saskia Vosper though Burden and Shilton had their moments too. Kaley Ward was again the focal point of their attacks, although she missed out on that Golden Boot by one goal. Renee Bacon chipped in as she usually does. Oddly, that Ward penalty was the first goal that the Wharfies scored in the opening half hour of any game.
WKAFC would have finished ahead of Springs with a win but instead they end up tied exactly with Wellington United. Like, same points and same goal difference and same goals scored and everything. They drew when they met in week one too – you literally cannot split them. Maybe Karori’s fewer yellow cards will come into account? Nah, they were tied. Let them be tied. Just adds more fuel to the fire when the next winter season begins.
Fitting that Western Springs would lean on goals from Lara Colpi and Ela Jerez to win them this game. They were their best performers the entire game, working harder than anyone else whilst also offering more funky pizazz. Sky’s the limit for those two. Remember that when Western Springs won the Kate Sheppard Cup final it was a late Jerez goal from a Colpi assist that did the trick. It was Sofia Garcia who took the Golden Boot though. Even on one of her off days she still made a difference because that’s what the best strikers will do.
Also might just add that as crazy as those Olimpico goals may be... they’re not uncommon. Not in this league where the average age of players is quite young and that includes goalkeepers. There were six penalty kicks scored this WNL season... this isn’t something that’s been tallied up but genuinely would not be surprised if there were as many goals directly from corner kicks as from penalty kicks. It is what it is. This one wasn’t as thrilling as, say, Charlotte Mortlock’s one the other week but that’s fine. Goals don’t have to be thrilling. Also gotta give credit to Charli Dunn who played around 70 minutes at CB with a level of physicality that players her age aren’t supposed to possess. Lily Jervis had a strong game alongside her too. Plus Arisa Takeda is always top class. There’s nobody better in her position. No grand final place for Western Springs... oh well they’ll just have to wipe their tears with those Kate Sheppard Cup winners medals.
Western Springs 3-2 Waterside Karori
9’ | WK | 0-1 | Ward [p]
56’ | WK | 0-2 | Morrissey (Bacon)
74’ | WS | 1-2 | Garcia (Takeda)
90’ | WS | 2-2 | Colpi
90+4’ | WS | 3-2 | Jerez (Colpi)
Canterbury United Pride vs Eastern Suburbs
Right so we’ve established that Auckland United made it through and that Western Springs eventually won their game via a crazy comeback – albeit a comeback so late that Eastern Suburbs folks won’t have known about it until full time of their own game. The concurrent Southern United result was the real worry but Eastern Suburbs first had to make sure they took care of their own backyard before worrying about the neighbours.
There was a presentation for Whitney Hepburn before this game, the long-time Pride midfield enforcer, who thus became the first Pride player to make 100 National League appearances. Lara Wall also got some recognition as she was making her 50th app for the team. Plus prior to this match there was a youth league curtain raiser in which the Pride U17s won 1-0 against Fencibles to secure back to back NYL titles. The first team’s had a tough year trying to rebuild things but don’t think for a second that the Canterbury women’s football procession of talent has ceased.
The red card for Una Foyle last week meant Maddi Iro got her second start of the term in goal for the Pride. Sara Mann got boosted into the right back spot while Charlotte Roche and Britney-Lee Nicholson were also back amongst the starters. Meanwhile Eastern Suburbs were in do-or-die mode so they picked as strong a team as they could manage. Back came Brooke Bennett and Charlotte Wilford-Carroll who’d each been injured for the shock loss to Ellerslie last round. Those were the only two changes... although the big story was the presence of Tayla O’Brien on the bench. Last year’s MVP finally available having missed the entire WNL to date. Imagine if she rocked back up and scored a couple decisive goals to send the Lilywhites to the final.
Hectic days as this match began with both teams sprinting end to end. Suburbs were a little sharper with their passing through the midfield but a few too many still went astray while other moves broke down due to offsides. The Pride had Charlotte Mortlock attacking space and Lara Wall and Sara Mann getting lots of touches as attack-minded fullbacks. Both teams were trying to be positive. But Eastern Suburbs really should’ve taken the lead after 14 minutes when Charlotte Lancaster lifted a Zoe Benson cross over the top with an open goal in front of her. The cross was flying at knee height so tougher than it looked but someone of Lancaster’s quality ought to bury that.
Lancaster also had a couple of headers from crosses that she didn’t properly connect with. She did get great contact on a running finish after a one-two with Miller but Iro gave it the red denied stamp with a stretching save. So far the off-ball energy from both sides was trumping the on-ball ingenuity, though that kinda thing does tend to wane as fatigue sets in later in halves. Suburbs went close again on the runaway as Mettam fed Lancaster but the end shot was saved by Iro, Lancaster not hitting the corners with her finishing the way she has been lately. But that’s no drama because Mettam’s next act was to put one on a platter for Zoe Benson to sample.
Suburbs had worked hard for that goal... but that fatigue thing works both ways and the Pride were able to get a few more things going towards the end of the half. Unfortunately for Suburbs, they weren’t able to withstand it... at least it was a ripping goal that broke them. Right before the break was due, Chloe Bellamy smacked a spinning volley past the reaches of Brooke Bennett (which alone is an impressive achievement) and yeah that might be the highlight of the entire season for Canty Utd. She struck it so sweetly.
Wouldn’t ya know it, the Pride then picked up where they left off when the second half began, winning a few corner kicks before eventually scoring from one of them. Charlotte Mortlock with the delivery, of course. She’s gained a serious reputation for her corner kicks this year. As for the goalscorer? None other than Whitney Hepburn in her centurion appearance. Sometimes the Great Spirit gets sentimental.
To make matters worse for Eastern Suburbs, Brooke Bennett got injured in the process and would need to be replaced by Caelin Tremain. At least they had a goalie on the bench ready to go – Charlotte Roche had to put the gloves on for the Pride last week. With Canterbury winning, the game got frantic again. Suburbs wanted to attack attack attack in search of a couple goals just in case, while the Pride fancied themselves on the counter attack (even more so after Aimee Phillips was subbed on).
Funky times as Iro made further saves against Miller and Wilford-Carroll. However she couldn’t repeat it when substitute Emily Lyon snuck through onto a CWC through ball. Great pass from the midfielder. Looked offside from Lyon, to be honest, but there could easily have been someone out of frame playing her on. Nicely taken goal from EL for her second of the season, the 17yo being one of several West Coast Rangers players who’ve popped up at other clubs for WNL. Pretty high strike-rate with those Rangers loanees too. Kendrah Smith and Marissa Porteous have been amongst the best players in the entire competition for Southern United.
It was definitely Eastern Suburbs creating more. Iro made two more of her best with a kick-save against Lyon and then a reaction stop versus a header from Findlay (which may have been more off a defender). Lancaster fizzed a long shot wide after burning her marker on the left wing. There wasn’t a moment to catch a breath. It didn’t seem like the finishing from either side was going to allow for a winner... but then it turned out that Charlotte Lancaster was simply waiting for the right moment. The eighth minute of added-time, to be specific.
Very similar to that chance she missed in the first half, wouldn’t you know it? That was Lancaster’s eighth goal of the season to go level with Kaley Ward for second. Neither of them able to keep pace with Sofia Garcia’s nine (Lancaster played one fewer game, to be fair). The goals title might have evaded a Suburbs player but the assists title did not as Zoe Benson’s six led the way across the league. This was a really good Suburbs team despite having to retool without several of last season’s key players. The likes of Bennett, Lancaster, Wilford-Carroll, and Yoshida have been superb. Zoe Benson and Nicole Cooper not far behind. They could easily have been back in the grand final defending their title... but they slipped up against Ellerslie last week. That’s how it goes.
The Pride retooled a whole lot more and you could tell from watching them. It took awhile before they were comfortable in their midfield combinations and their defence required a few weeks to settle. In attack they had good options but weren’t able to pick consistent line-ups. Even still, this was a breakthrough season for Charlotte Mortlock (again one of their best in this match) who proved her capacity as an influential creative player both from open play and set pieces. Lara Wall had one of her better games here too, while Maddi Iro looks a wonderful prospect with the gloves. Anna McPhie seemed to come into more prominence over the last month in a more advanced midfield role. And how good was that Chloe Bellamy goal!?
Canterbury United Pride 2-3 Eastern Suburbs
39’ | ES | 0-1 | Benson (Mettam)
45+3’ | CU | 1-1 | Bellamy (Wall)
50’ | CU | 2-1 | Hepburn (Mortlock)
70’ | ES | 2-2 | Lyon (Wilford-Carroll)
90+8’ | ES | 2-3 | Lancaster (Benson)
Southern United vs Ellerslie AFC
Western Springs’ 90+5th minute winner might’ve kept them in the hunt for the grand final until Eastern Suburbs’ 90+8th minute winner came along. But even that result would only be a consolation prize if Southern United took care of business at home against the bottom team Ellerslie. The Ponies did spring a stunning upset against Eastern Suburbs a week earlier in a top vs bottom clash... now they had to try and do so again if we were going to have a repeat of an all-Auckland final.
Southern United had it all in their own hands and made just one change for the cause after a 4-1 win vs Central. That was regular forward Margi Dias returning after missing that last game. Otherwise all the usuals were there for a squad that tends not to rotate very much anyway. Neither do Ellerslie for that matter. The Ponies brought back Kim Oosterbeek and Cilla Fa’afua who usually start for them anyway. Oosterbeek was absent for the last game while Fa’afua has been the first sub off the bench in the previous two. All set to see if there’d be one more wicked twist in this typically spectacular season.
If the opening minute was anything to go by then yeah that was a distinct possibility, as Britney Cunningham-Lee showed a burst of pace down the left wing the likes of which hadn’t been very common this season. They just haven’t been able to get her into such situations but jeez she burst past Hannah Mackay-Wright and Marissa Porteous in the same run which is hard enough to do individually let alone catching them both in the same dribble. Alas, her feed inside was deflected to Kat Gow who wasn’t able to finish from the corner of the six yard box, Lauren Paterson pushing it wide for a corner.
Yeah... that probably needed to go in. Because Southern soon began to put the squeeze on. They were claiming possession over and over again in the Ellerslie half, pressing well and intercepting and winning challenges. Kendrah Smith had a pot-shot off target. Amy Hislop maybe shoulda scored as Freya Partridge-Moore squared one into a delicious area but Hislop was a step behind and could only get a stretching toe on it. Tayla Hawes was able to get in the way of the next Hislop attempt. None of this was very encouraging for Ellerslie... or for Eastern Suburbs or Western Springs.
Soon ol’ Hislop turned two defenders with one cut and then fired another shot on target. BCL did have a pop for the Ponies up the other end, albeit nothing to threaten Paterson – who held onto the starting goalie gig even with former starter Amelia Simmers back and available. An even better chance for Hislop followed, dashing onto a Rose Morton intercept/through ball combo special before cruyff-turning Anita Trudgen... but couldn’t hit her spot and Petra Wedlake made a good save.
Another sliding doors moment occurred in the 25th minute when Paterson wasn’t able to fully clear a ball under the looming shadow of Fa’afua, the ball squirting out to the sideline where Ellerslie right-back Abby Wright lifted it first time towards goal... and it dropped onto the crossbar. HMW might’ve had it covered if it had dropped under but that doesn’t mean that SU were able to ease the tension because Paterson then had to make a supreme save tipping a shot from Leigh Aitken over for a corner. Phew. That was nuts.
Two huge chances that didn’t go in. It’s a bit cheeky to be asking for a third... Southern United simply don’t go offering that many lifelines. Thus after 32 minutes they went on ahead and scored one of the finest goals of the entire season. A magnificent move that began with a Rose Morton intercept (of course it did) and ended with Margi Dias swinging through a majestic volley. Somehow Morton also got all the way forward to get the ball back and provide the assist too.
A few minutes later, Kendrah Smith punted in another great finish and Southern United were 2-0 up and on course for the grand final. Keep in mind that Ellerslie had scored three goals in eight games and had less than sixty minutes to match that against one of the top defensive teams in the competition. This was right around the time that the Auckland United game was finishing so yeah might as well start printing the posters and filming the promos now. Rose Morton and Talisha Green staring each other down.
Dias and Hislop had further chances before the break and Southern made sure to huddle up for a few words prior to the second half kick-off, keeping the focus sharp. They got underway again with Morton still stealing possessions and Hislop still turning defenders inside-out. FPM missed a great chance at the back post, her first touch causing her to rush the shot. The Ponies rolled the dice by throwing on Vibha Godha and Lyric Davison. Nothing changed. Marila Rocha couldn’t turn the tide either. Nor Hannah Barclay and Courtney Beale. Ellerslie had emptied the bench by 70 minutes.
The only thing missing was an Amy Hislop goal. She had another close call on 78’ when she ripped one off the near post with Wedlake trying to recover her position. She also got a little selfish after a sneaky run along the byline, shooting into the side-netting when a cross was available. You can understand it though. On another day she’d have had a hat-trick. If she had scored a hatty then she’d have shared the Golden Boot title... oh well.
Ellerslie weren’t really threatening so no worries there. Southern United moved closer and closer to the final with every passing second. But the triumph wasn’t complete until Hislop drew a foul in the area, skipping past yet another defender and this time getting tripped. Hislop actually missed the penalty... but was granted a retake since Wedlake had shuffled off her line too soon. A pity for Petra because it was a bad take from Hislop and she’d have saved it by simply standing put. The retake was much better. No stopping that one. Hislop finally had her goal and Southern United had a 3-0 win. The Southerners are going to Mount Smart Stadium, folks. The championship game beckons.
It’s been an incredible rise for Southern United. A continuing presence of key players, specifically the core from that South-Central Series championship, have been driving an increasingly competitive squad over the last few years... and the presence of new signings like Smith and Porteous plus the returning Hislop have taken them over the top. This team conceded a mere six goals, keeping four clean sheets (two for Simmers, two for Paterson). The have the hardest-working midfield in the competition and they can score goals from a variety of sources with Hislop (7), Dias (4), and Smith (4) leading the way. Players from other regions have gotten better after joining them. This team always seems to have a cohesive identity (although the mid-season switch to a back three has helped expand that). Nothing but good things to say about Southern United. This game was exactly the routine performance that they needed to confirm their top two status. Rose Morton was brilliant. Smith and Hislop and Partridge-Moore all close behind. In the end it was Toni Power that trumped Pony Power.
Kendrah Smith and Marissa Porteous might’ve enjoyed that one more than anyone because they’ve come down from the West Coast Rangers team that Ellerslie leap-frogged for WNL qualification. It was great to see the Ponies grab that tremendous fighting victory last week because they’d otherwise not had a lot of reward for their toil. Lessons will be learned. Players will be better for the experience. That’s a better squad than their results suggest and the quest now is to regather in 2024 and get back here again.
Southern United 3-0 Ellerslie
32’ | SU | 1-0 | Dias (Morton)
37’ | SU | 2-0 | Smith (Partridge-Moore)
90+1’ | SU | 3-0 | Hislop [p]
Wellington Phoenix Reserves vs Central Football
We weren’t to know as this game kicked off, but that Ellerslie defeat (expected as it was) made this game redundant by confirming the Ponies for the wooden spoon. That meant that Central Football avoided finishing last as they have done in every season from 2017 onwards. It also meant that the Phoenix Reserves avoided that fate in their maiden season. Pakipaki to both teams for what they’ve managed to achieve despite having such young and inexperienced squads.
Naturally, they both still wanted to win this last round fixture though. Especially on the off-chance that Ellerslie did something crazy – both the WeeNix and Central’s only win each came against Central. The Phoenix also got a draw against Western Springs with probably their strongest selection thanks to a number of senior players being involved. Didn’t get that here. Zoe McMeeken was the only one. Elsewhere there was a first start for Brooke Neary in goal after debuting off the bench last week for the injured Aimee Danieli. Rebekah Trewhitt was back after a week off. The M.Greene/M.Green combo continued at centre-back (Mackenzie and Marie, respectively). Plus there was a starting debut for highly-touted striker Angela Pivac. Starting club debut, that is. She did start a game for Northern Rovers last year... at age fifteen.
Exciting times for Central with winger Lilly Dowsing currently away with the Samoa national team for the Pacific Games. She’s now a capped senior international (in a squad that also features Angelique TuiSamoa and Jaedeci Uluvili of Western Springs, Jayda Stewart of Canterbury Utd, plus several other NZ-based players – Stewart scored a late penalty for a 3-2 win over Tahiti in game one). There were two changes for Central from last week’s loss to Southern. Those being the recall of Sarah Swinbanks, plus also a first start of the campaign for Isla Cleall-Harding who was teammates with many of this Nix team (including Pivac) at the recent Oceania U16s Championships.
Central won a corner kick almost straight away after feeding Maddi Hughes on the right wing. But Fraser Park soon bore witness to the WeeNix passing as swiftly and deliberately as they have done all season. They fancied themselves against a team below them on the ladder. Pivac offered some surprising strength up top. Phoebe Hawes and Alyssha Eglinton both had shots from outside the box saved by a diving Sophie Campbell, who was even more impressive against a Georgie Furnell 1v1 soon afterwards.
Not to suggest that this was a one-sided affair, since Central were battling well in midfield and looking sturdy at the back. McKenna Chittenden’s been good for them lately, having her at RB instead of CB really bolstered that wall of defence. Mikaela Bouwmeester, who’d scored in three games in a row, flipped a shot on target from Charlotte Noakes cross. In short: it was a good competitive game.
Some quick feet from Furnell on the wing nearly set up a WeeNix goal. The initial cross wasn’t cleared and Phoebe Hawes probably should have scored when it fell her way but Sophie Campbell happens to specialise in sharp saves so here was another. Unfortunately for her, she may have had the Nix attackers covered but it was her own defence that eventually beat her. A 28th minute own goal from Sarah Swinbanks after a low corner kick from Hawes had fizzed towards the near post. Should have been comfortably cleared. Bugger.
That was the way it remained into half-time. Each team would have some bright spots – the Nix through their passing, Central through their pressing – but the respective backlines were too good in those open play situations. It’s been noted from week one how Zoe McMeeken’s operated as an inverted fullback so cool to see Rebekah Trewhitt (one of several ex-Central players in this squad) doing similar things. In fact she was much more involved than ZM was in this game... perhaps because McMeeken was needed to deal with Hughes. Furnell was the other main force for the Nix, another ex-Central player working in combination with Trewhitt on the right. But yeah nah lots of promise, not so many chances.
Sienna Candy replaced Angie Pivac at the break so it was only a 45-minute stint for the young striker... although let it be known that Candy is even younger. A 16yo replaced by a 15yo. Candy actually scored a double in a 4-1 youth team win (U17s) in the game beforehand, a game that keeper Brooke Neary also partook in (as did later Nix subs Mackenzie Bryant, Gigi Freeman, Libby McMillan, and Emily Humphrey).
The Nix continued from where they’d left off with a few half-chances, lots of possession, and the occasional necessary defensive effort. Central kept scrapping away and getting a few things going in transition. But neither team looked like they were actually going to score. If the defenders didn’t sweep things up then the shots lacked power or accuracy. The introduction of Saskia Pelham did give Central a little more juice and an increasing amount of this match began to take place in their attacking half. The WeeNix wrestled it back for a bit with a Hawes shot that whipped over the top from a great position. On we went. Central kept rushing for that big opportunity. After 85 minutes it finally arrived.
They’d been on the attack with a corner kick that was cleared beyond the penalty area. Ruby-Aroha Gurnick recovered it and smacked a fantastic shot on the turn, ripping it onto the crossbar before Mikaela Bouwmeester waited patiently for it to drop and then headed it home. The late equaliser. MB’s fourth in four weeks... except hold up not so fast they called it offside. Yeah so about that...
It wasn’t even close. There were several dodgy offsides this week however this was by far the worst. It was a botched call. These things happen, officials make mistakes too. This was a particularly bad one but because Central hardly created anything else it ended up being a decisive moment. Christchurch United had a bad one disallowed against Auckland City in the MNL but went on to score three times and win anyway. Central did not do that. It ended 1-0 to the Phoenix Reserves, who finish eighth with wins over the two teams below them – a win in the first week and a win in the last week.
Such a pity for Central because they probably deserved a draw from that performance. The WeeNix might’ve won 3-0 with better finishing but that’s their problem. Central defended stoutly and took the scrap to the Nix in the midfield. They just couldn’t break through for shooting chances often enough and when they did they copped a bad decision. Also they scored a very soft own goal. Ah well... at least they didn’t finish last. Sophie Campbell was impressive once more. That Chittenden/Swinbanks/MacNee/Thomas back four did quality things. Liz Ingham was a midfield menace. And Maddison Hughes and Mikaela Bouwmeester have proven handfuls for most defences all season. Only time will tell if this was the last time we’ll see Central Football in the National League.
The Phoenix Reserves may have won but they’ll be annoyed at how inept they were in the final third, despite some great lead-up play from the likes of Georgia Furnell, Phoebe Hawes, and Alyssha Eglinton. Finishing is often a weakness for younger players, it’s something that naturally improves with experience so no major worries. It’d be very hard to look beyond captain Ella McMillan when picking a player of the season. Such a great leader for this team whether she’s in midfield or defence, a great tackler and a smart distributor. Brooke Neary managed to keep a tidy clean sheet on starting debut as well. It was mentioned in the men’s write-up that those WeeNix used 32 different players across their nine games. The women’s WeeNix went even further. They had 28 different starters and five more who only appeared as substituted to take them to a chunky sum of 33 players. That’s a lot of prospective Phoenix talent.
Wellington Phoenix Reserves 1-0 Central Football
28’ | WP | 1-0 | Own Goal (Hawes)
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