Southern United vs Waterside Karori

Welcome to week seven of the New Zealand Women’s National League... in which the relentless march towards the final continued. For Southern United, this was their toughest remaining fixture with only the two bottom teams to follow. For Waterside Karori it was their last chance to keep that flame burning in their debut Natty League campaign. Logan Park in Dunedin. Albeit a different looking Logan Park because there was a youth team game on the other pitch so they had the camera behind the benches rather than facing them as usual. No different for the players of course... but it looked like a completely different place for those of us watching the livestream. Just a weird observation for y’all.

First thing to notice about the line-ups was that Southern had a different keeper. No Amelia Simmers so back-up Lauren Paterson wore the gloves. The next thing was that Amy Hislop was back amongst the starters. Another thing was the return of Freya Partridge-Moore. And the other became clear as you saw the Waterside Karori eleven that travelled down. Mei Burden returned at the back with Saskia Vosper joining Sarah Morton in midfield. Nikki Furukawa also came back into the side.

What was the last thing to notice, you ask? The captains, that’s what. Sarah Morton captained Karori while Rose Morton captained Southern. Yes, not only were there sisters in opposing midfields but they both wore the armbands too. Expect plenty of smiles when those two share a footy pitch... although not as many as when they were teammates last season at Southern. Kennedy Bryant and Renee Bacon are also both ex-Southerners (albeit none of them are originally from the area). Anyway, it was Southern who took control of this one pretty much from the outset. Within three minutes Hislop had already had one disallowed for offside, while Partridge-Moore was making her presence known with that pace up the left wing.

Karori were under the pump but they did soon begin to settle, with their physicality amped up to match the always-courageous Southern Utd girls. There was even a hint of a chance for Furukawa only she took too long to shoot and was blocked. But it wasn’t enough. With 14 minutes gone it was 1-0 to SU as Kendrah Smith collected a square pass from Amy Hislop and scored yet another goal from outside the penalty area. That’s her third of the term... nobody’s keeping data on that stuff but doubtful there’s anyone with more long range goals than K.Smith (Lara Colpi does have a couple, she seems like the closest candidate). Would be fair to say that Annie Foote could have done better with the attempted save though.

Then again, a goal was probably inevitable one way or another. Soon after that, Hislop showed some mean skills and strength to barge down the door into the penalty area except she thumped her shot off the crossbar. However Hislop did then step into a bad tackle against Devyn Crawford, who got her shin jammed from a planted position and, after strapping it up and trying to continue, she’d need to be replaced midway through the first half. Grace McRobie was subbed on – she’s a striker to that led to Vosper dropping into the back three and Bryant operating slightly deeper in midfield.

Fingers crossed that Crawford is alright... yet that sub might’ve helped the team as Jess Shilton was better suited to deal with the speed of FPM. Suddenly the game got scrappy. Hustle outweighed creativity with the respective defensive trios dominating the flow. Hannah Mackay-Wright did have a header from a corner cleared off the line in search of a second SU goal, before Hislop showed off some more skills by flicking the ball over her own shoulder to drive into the area only to miss the finish. 1-0 to Southern United at the break. They’d edged it so far, no doubt about it. But they were only halfway there.

With their season on the line, Karori made a quick start to the second half... albeit that only lasted until FPM got back on the charge. One of her cut-backs found Hislop whose shot was very well saved by Foote, tipping it over the top. Smith had a long shot on target that lacked her usual power. Smith then slipped Dias into the area but Foote made the stop as the defence closed in. Then came some drama as Hislop went past Vosper only for the ref to call it back for a free kick, no advantage given. AH’s shot was saved but that was after the whistle had already gone. So yeah Southern were pushing for that second goal which, with their defence, would probably be all they needed. And it was at that point that this game reached its decisive tipping point.

Renee Bacon had the ball wide right for the Wharfies. Not much of an angle but she’s got a rocket for a boot so she tried it on regardless and Paterson was able to touch that thing onto the crossbar towards safety. Seconds later Rose Morton pressured Bryant who lost the ball and Amy Hislop scooped up the scraps and scored to make it 2-0. This match was almost level. Instead the lead got doubled.

Some nervous times would ensue for the home side when Paterson saved Kaley Ward’s effort on the goalline and when an offside McRobie fired slightly past the post. Ward had been brilliantly contained by Hannah Mackay-Wright all afternoon. One of the best forwards in the competition and she barely had a sniff. Thus Southern surpassed those scares and ended up scoring a third just to make sure. Triples is best, after all. Substitute Madeline McCormick managed to squeeze her finish under Annie Foote after a stunner of an assist from Abby Rankin – there’s no way a clinical Southern victory was going to pass by without Abby Rankin having her say.

The Wharfies had a couple opportunities to get a consolation but nah that didn’t happen. What did happen was a thoroughly professional win for the home side grinding out three more points which briefly took them top of the table, for one night only, and sets them up for a crack at the final if they can win heavily enough in their last two games or have results elsewhere do them a favour. Right now you’d have to think that Southern United are favourites to sneak into the top two. Them and Eastern Suburbs. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

HMW was at her absolute best in this game while Hislop was huge once again. Great contributions from the likes of Partridge-Moore, Morton, Smith, and even backup goalie Lauren Paterson. Waterside Karori didn’t have enough gas in the tank to go the distance. No shame in that. We’ve long since learned that this Southern United team are legitimate contenders and this was the type of win that contenders tally up.

Southern United 3-0 Waterside Karori

Goals (Assists)

14’ | SU | 1-0 | Smith (Hislop)

62’ | SU | 2-0 | Hislop

74’ | SU | 3-0 | McCormick (Rankin)

Quick interlude to remind you once more that we do National League Team of the Weeks in our Substack newsletters so if you’re reading this make sure to get amongst that too... plus the ol’ socials are stacked full of highlights as you can see so giz a follow there too if you can

Ellerslie AFC vs Central Football

Given that the Women’s National League as ridiculously close as it is, with six teams ending last week within immediate range of the top two, every game had championship ramifications in round seven. Every game except this one... yet this one was the most important of them all. It was Ellerslie (0 wins, 0 draws, 6 losses) against Central (0 wins, 1 draw, 5 losses). The two lowest scoring and highest conceding teams. The battle for the bottom. The wooden spoon in manifestation. This was the one that both teams will have had highlighted on the calendar for weeks, the best opportunity either would get for that elusive first victory.

Ellerslie hosted at Michael’s Avenue, on the artificial pitch this week. They had first choice keeper Petra Wedlake back in amongst it for the game, while Ella James got her first start after a season debut last week off the bench. She was on the wing. Central made a number of changes for the trip north with Leonie Heck returning between the sticks, while Mackenna Chittenden appeared in central defence to add some more WNL experience to the mix. Charlotte Noakes and Shannon Newlyn also popped back up in the eleven. Four changes from the 6-1 loss to Eastern Suburbs... but last week didn’t matter. This game was an island.

It felt like a rugby game at first with the teams trying to gain territory up the sidelines. For the first five mins there must’ve been more throw ins than completed passes... although a Kat Gow long shot did fly close. It took ten minutes for any hints of openness beyond the obvious energy and intent. Abby Wright struck a wicked through ball for Gow to run onto and KG took it all the way into the area but could not beat Heck 1v1. Just needed to slide it past but, to her credit, Heck rushed upon her quickly to force Gow out of rhythm.

It did feel like the Ponies were making more of the play, with plenty of space for their fullbacks to step into... but that all changed in the 19th minute thanks to a delicious long ball from Ruby-Aroha Gurnick which had keeper Petra Wedlake in two minds over whether to step up or drop back and Mikaela Bouwmeester didn’t need any more assistance than that, sneaking the ball past to give Central the lead.

Ellerslie raised their game after conceding. Cat Pretty was winning plenty of ball in the midfield while Wright kept finding space out wide. What we didn’t see much of was Britney Cunningham-Lee as she hung out on the left where things were much more condensed. But lots of good possession from Ellerslie against a deep-set Central defence – with MacNee and Chittenden doing good things. Central’s counter attack was largely absorbed by the home side with the exception of a Gurnick run late in the half which went awry when Wright was able to get in a sneaky tug of the shirt to take RAG out of her element. A few long shots for Central didn’t threaten Wedlake. This was a different style of match than both sides were used to and that was taking some figuring out. 1-0 to Central at half-time. Delicately poised.

Interesting sub at the break for Ellerslie, with Cilla Fa’afua sent on for Cat Pretty. Their midfield enforcer had been going alright, and was always a threat with her long shot, but Fa’afua is a mobile forward who help free BCL to be the focal point she needed to be. Not being able to get their best player as involved as she always was during the winter season has been issue number one for Ellerslie. Despite all that, it was Gurnick who flashed the first chance of the second half ever-so-slightly over the top one minute into the stanza. Granted, the second chance saw BCL dropping in and spinning out of pressure before threading towards Fa’afua who slipped that thing into the back of the net... but was flagged for a (marginal) offside. Didn’t count but the focus was there for all to see.

Except that it wasn’t a move they were able to repeat. They simply could not turn their possession into chances... whereas Central spent less time in those areas yet always looked more capable. Particularly when Bouwmeester was involved. MB almost doubled the lead with a flicked header on target but Wedlake made the diving save then regathered the extras before Hughes could get there. Bouwmeester later smacked a free kick low on target with Wedlake also gathered up. A couple other shots that were obstructed or straight at the keeper which might’ve worked out differently. Compare that to Ellerslie who knew that time was ticking down but they couldn’t for the life of them find a way through. They never did. Central Football claimed the rare victory and as a result they’re now on the brink of something even rarer: you have to go all the way back to 2016 for the last time that Central didn’t get the WNL wooden spoon. With a four-point buffer and two weeks left that’s about to change.

It’s the same thing every week with Ellerslie: they’re inexperienced at this level and haven’t been able to own those big moments. They did have chances in this game, mostly in the first half. They didn’t take them. The goal they conceded wasn’t very different to several moments of their one except that Leonie Heck was sharper when it came to sweeping those balls behind the defence thus they didn’t lead to goals. That’s football. But this one was all about Central. They defended superbly for the clean sheet, with MacNee and Chittenden really nailing things down while Ingham was strong in midfield and the front three of Hughes/Gurnick/Bouwmeester were not only regular threats but they were smart with how they approached things too. Central had conceded 3+ goals in all six games prior to this one. They were minutes away from a win against Canterbury in week three only for it to get away from them. They did not make the same mistakes twice. Three cheers for Central Football. Hip. Hip. Hooray.

Ellerslie 0-1 Central

19’ | C | 0-1 | Bouwmeester (Gurnick)

Western Springs vs Canterbury United Pride

The first game of the Sunday selection kicked off at 2pm at Seddon Fields in Auckland with home side Western Springs having seen Southern United win a day earlier and therefore knowing that Eastern Suburbs and Auckland United both had winnable games to follow. The table is so close right now. Anyone who wants to make the final from here is likely to have to win all of their remaining games.

After a brief stumble with points dropped against Southern and the WeeNix in weeks 3-4, Western Springs have gotten back to the business of winning games, scoring lots of goals, and hardly conceding any. They recalled American keeper Mickey Mitchell with Angelique TuiSamoa not available. Also no sign of Rina Hirano but luckily Sammi Tawharu was good to go for her first start since week two. Lily Jervis returned to the eleven as well so it was a formidable team. Always full of anticipation for what Lara Colpi and Ela Jerez are going to serve up. Meanwhile the Cantabs didn’t have striker Charlotte Roche in their travelling squad, so Chloe Bellamy got the start in the only change from the 3-1 win against the WeeNix in round six. They did have Britney-Lee Nicholson back on the bench though.

The only other time that Canty played in Auckland this season, in round one, they conceded four times within 33 minutes against Auckland Utd. They also hadn’t won a game on the road this year (including only drawing 2-2 with Central)... however they started with promise in this one. Mortlock stabbed an attempt over the bar. Also saw a couple of her soon-to-be-trademarked corner kick twisters. Aimee Phillips and Lara Wall were combining well on the left, carrying on from last game. Whitney Hepburn drilled one on target from distance. Springs did have one huge moment when a wicked ball from Tawharu found Innes in the box but, rather than take the open shot on her right, she turned back onto the left foot and dragged it wide.

Then Western Springs scored anyway. Quarter of an hour gone. Tawharu again showing that vision to find fullback Tiana Hill in space in the right corner. Hill had time to pick a sharp ball across the six yard box, which the Pride didn’t manage to cover, and Sofia Garcia tapped in her league-leading eighth goal of the term.

The Pride showed no panic, getting forward and launching a few deep shots. But Springs showed no chill as Takeda picked a ball forward for Tawharu who fed Lara Colpi on the run and the quick feet from LC took her past a defender and into space where she slammed a mint finish into the closest bottom corner. Just another banger from Lara Colpi. S’pose it wasn’t such a good start from Canterbury after all.

Or was it? Because they very quickly got one back. A slick Phillips run followed by Nicola Dominikovich’s tenacious work in preventing Springs from clearing their lines led to a cross fizzed over into the middle. Again, Springs didn’t deal with it properly. So Chloe Bellamy spun on the loose ball and pinged it home for 2-1. That’s more like it. Lara Wall drilled one narrowly wide across goal soon afterwards... although there were a couple more significant moments for Garcia as the half drew on, forcing a good save with one shot before scooping another over the top. Each team had one further highlight in that first half and both of them came from 1v1 situations Bellamy with a great ball towards Anna McPhie who was denied by Mitchell. Colpi finding Garcia running through only for Foyle to make an even more impressive stop. Then it was half-time.

Canterbury United made two subs coming out of the break: Darsha Keoghan on for Charlotte Mortlock and Jasmine Barney making her WNL debut in place of Lainey Alteiri-Need. Presumably in service of rotation, since Mortlock had been one of their stronger players holding onto that ball in midfield and LAN is an American import fullback. In their place came a couple of youth team grads to try and turn this one in their side’s favour... which nearly happened immediately as Lara Wall flashed a ball across goal that none could get a touch upon.

Yet the home side steadily restored their dominance after that and goalkeeper Una Foyle was the main reason that the Pride clung on as they did. She did great to close down Colpi after Jaedeci Uluvili had stepped into the attacking half fed a sharp pass forward. Sorta just assume that Colpi’s gonna score whenever she’s involved these days but nope. Good save. Though that one paled in comparison to the leaping one-hander that denied Jerez in the 60th minute. Alas, it wasn’t much longer before they got one to stick. A smooth team goal that involved Tawharu holding the ball up from a throw-in, Jerez throwing a fake to get past a defender, Takeda chipping in a smart cross that Garcia only barely missed, then Tawharu cleaning up with a pull-back to Jerez who buried it.

The Pride then emptied their bench with Hepburn, Phillips and Bellamy replaced by Britney-Lee Nicholson, Lisa Evans, and Jayda Stewart. Quality in depth there... but the calibre of players they took off did suggest we were deeper into rotation mode. Western Springs also made a couple subs, letting loose Celia Mayo and Megan Lee for Garcia and Tawharu so yeah this one was winding down. Not before Lara Colpi scored another goal though. Seconds after Dominikovich had missed the target at one end, a one-two between Colpi and Lee put LC in behind with only Foyle to beat. This time she saw it through.

Springs cleared their bench all the way down to reserve goalie Keely Taylor, the third-stringer getting some minutes. She actually conceded a goal in her short cameo. Good run from Lisa Evans then a bottom corner finish from Nicola Dominikovich. Almost the last kick of the game, salvaging a bit more dignity on the scoreboard – which they probably deserved on the basis of the whole game. They winless away form continues but they still got some game time for a few depth/youth players, plus that was Dominikovich’s fourth of the term. Liking Anna McPhie in this more advanced role these past two games as well. Una Foyle is still one of the best in the country. Should be a belter between them and Wellington United next week.

Western Springs will be a little annoyed at a couple of defensive lapses because otherwise this was another commanding performance from them. Lara Colpi is nudging towards fringe MVP candidacy with the way she keeps going. Sofia Garcia remains the golden boot leader. Though their player of the day was the striker who didn’t score: Sammi Tawharu with two assists and all sorts of solid hold-up play. She’s a facilitating forward who makes others around her better – that’s four assists for the term overall despite missing a couple of games. Only Zoe Benson has more.

Western Springs 4-2 Canterbury United Pride

16’ | WS | 1-0 | Garcia (Hill)

19’ | WS | 2-0 | Colpi (Tawharu)

22’ | CU | 2-1 | Bellamy

65’ | WS | 3-1 | Jerez (Tawharu)

71’ | WS | 4-1 | Colpi (Lee)

90+4’ | CU | 4-2 | Dominikovich (Evans)

Wellington United vs Eastern Suburbs

After rebounding in style from their chunky loss to Western Springs, the train was back on the track for Eastern Suburbs. Points on the board means they’re the one team whose grand final chances are entirely in their own hands. Wellington United away at the Petone Memorial Park turf would not be an easy match-up, particularly with the home side holding onto their own last hopes of making that top two... but then that’s how it’s supposed to be in a National League.

Wellington United pushed Western Springs all the way in a 2-1 defeat last time. They made one change to that team with Jemma Robertson back after missing the previous three games. Eastern Suburbs made three changes. Aimee Atkins returned at centre-back plus the two Nicoles also got back amongst it. Mettam in the midfield (with Ella Findlay sliding into defence) and Cooper up front. Charlotte Lancaster was in her element at left wing-back trying to repeat her magic trick of scoring four goals and providing an assist a week earlier.

You know what always gets a game going? An early goal...

Jemma Robertson with the reverse ball. Natalie Olson with the finish. The underdogs with the headstart. Fantastic stuff.

Charlotte Lancaster set about trying to fix things with a couple of blasted crosses from the left... the first smacked into Lily Davies and the second into her own teammate Charlotte Wilford-Carroll. Both of them were fine. It was just a funny instance. Almost as funny as when CWC bowled over the referee soon after. Subs had plenty of ball and most of it was going down the left through Lancaster... although the one time they went the other way, Sophia Dyer squared for Zoe Benson who ought to have done better but her shot caught her shin and rose over the top.

Turns out that feeding Lancaster was a smart idea. Twenty minutes into this thing, the Lilywhites got themselves on the board as Benson slipped a clever ball in for Lancaster, one on one angling in from the left. There was a moment there when she adjusted to pick her spot and we do see a lot of instances in this league where that situation gets away from players, where the keeper rushes them and they fail to convert. But Lancaster’s finish was utterly perfect. Direct into the bottom corner just inside the post. Precision. Then two minutes later she ran onto a long ball from Atkins and set up Nicole Cooper to make it 2-1, fantastic cross and a simple finish from Coops.

Olson had a chance to square things up again but her strike for the Diamonds struck the base of the post. Then Suburbs were thwarted from a Lancaster corner when both Gilchrist and Jemma Catherwood made goalline clearances within a split second of each other. But Gilchrist couldn’t quite scrape the ball off the line when Cooper head’s 31st minute header went in off the post. Benson with a lovely cross for her second assist of the day and fifth of the season. Eastern Suburbs up 3-1.

The Lilywhites were playing at a great tempo and finding joy against a stoic Diamonds defence by stretching them wide. Far too often one of their CBs would get dragged all the way out leaving space in the middle that Gilchrist had to drop in and cover. They weren’t even playing badly – in fact the workrate of their forwards was super impressive. But the defending champs turned up with a point to prove.

Yet the defending champs also conspired to begin the second half even worse than the first by conceding inside of a minute this time. Some good persistent work from Robertson on the wing got it started yet this was a very odd goal. Ella Findlay fought past Natalie Olson to seemingly cut out the cross... only to slip and have the ball land on top of her. It was probably a handball, to be honest, except that Hope Gilchrist then smacked it into the net anyway so nobody had to worry about that.

The Diamonds made a double change soon after the goal. On came Dani Ohlsson and Sarah Alder with the aroma of blood in the water. Those two immediately combined to put the ball in the back of the net, Alder with a long free kick and Ohlsson with the finish... but there’d been a flick-on in between which meant that Ohlsson was offside. As you were.

Both keepers did well to save long shots from CWC and Robertson. Miller got onto a cut-back from Lancaster, who was still surging into space down the left, and rocked it onto the post – possibly with a touch from the Molly Simons, hard to say. Suburbs sent on Emily Gillion for her first appearance since going away with the Futsal Ferns (WU’s Alder was also in that squad, though she played last week). Cooper got goalside of her marker but couldn’t get enough contact on Lancaster’s cross to beat Simons. Then both teams made further subs, including a season debut for WU’s Bella Cartman (the WNL’s premier podcaster).

The chances just weren’t flowing for Subs like they had been, with United slowing things down by keeping much more of the ball. The worry was that this approach would limit them going forwards, with Saki Yoshida regularly sweeping things up for ES, and that did indeed prove to be the case. But it had to be done. There was one big chance with ten to go where Ellie Kabayama struck one straight at Bennett with numbers in the area (to be fair, there might’ve been a foul on Yoshida in the build up that didn’t get called). However a few too many stoppages down the stretch prevented them from applying the pressure they wanted to.

So it was that the game wrapped up with Eastern Suburbs claiming the points. That 20-minute explosion in the first half was the difference, a level of prowess that WU never reached... but the Diamonds were still super unlucky to come away with nothing. The way they started both halves was awesome and those second half adjustments changed the course of the game. Hope Gilchrist had another blinder. Zoe Barrott and Caelin Patterson at the back too – Patterson moved to right back during the second half and it was only then that they finally got some kind of handle on Lancaster. Jemma Robertson and Natalie Olson in attack. They’re out of final contention now but that’s fine, they’re not the sort of team to phone it in.

New additions to both teams means that lots has changed since then... but Eastern Suburbs might still feel this was revenge for the Kate Sheppard Cup semi-final that they lost 1-0 at home to this lot. Two goals for Nicole Cooper. Two assists for Zoe Benson. One of each for Charlotte Lancaster. For a while there it felt as though they were going to romp onwards to a huge win but they really had to fight in that second spell – hence why CB Saki Yoshida ended up being their best on pitch. Still, that’s what the top teams do. Eastern Suburbs continue their march towards the grand final... although with the competition as hectic as this they still can’t afford another defeat. She’s gonna be a thrilling last fortnight, she is.

Wellington United 2-3 Eastern Suburbs

5’ | WU | 1-0 | Olson (Robertson)

21’ | ES | 1-1 | Lancaster (Benson)

23’ | ES | 1-2 | Cooper (Lancaster)

31’ | ES | 1-3 | Cooper (Benson)

46’ | WU | 2-3 | Gilchrist

Wellington Phoenix Reserves vs Auckland United

For the final kickoff of the week, at 4pm on Sunday at the Fraser Park turf, we had Auckland United trying to keep up their grand final hopes against a WeeNix side hoping to keep up the good work that their entire club has been up to lately. Saturday was a magical Wellington Phoenix afternoon/evening as the women’s and men’s teams both ruled over the Brisbane Roar in a Sky Stadium double-header. What’s more is that those two teams, which were both so futile in front of goal last season, combined for seven goals between them. Plus this notoriously slow starting club has both teams with at least six points after three rounds. And they won the Boy’s U17 Nationals too. ‘Twas a golden weekend... so could the Women’s Reserves keep it going?

There was one particularly enticing name on the WeeNix teamsheet: Rebecca Lake. The long-time National League icon did get a few minutes off the bench as a closer for the first team the day before, interestingly used as a defensive midfielder. She was used in her more familiar central defensive position here which broke up the usual back four for the first time in four weeks by allowing captain Ella McMillan to move into midfield, same as she did in the week one win over Ellerslie. The defence also included first-team scholarship player Zoe McMeeken again. The rest of the midfield was unchanged from the 3-1 loss to the Cantabs last time, however Michaela Robertson did get her third appearance of the term on the wing. No sign of Kelli Brown, Alyssa Whinham, or Daisy Brazendale - none of whom were involved with the first team this week.

Auckland United drew 1-1 with Southern last round and that was a pretty commendable result which keeps them in the finals hunt. No need to change things. They merely brought Bree Johnson back and that was that. Rene Wasi played as the central striker, with Johnson on the left and Alexis Cook on the right. The second time that trio have started together... probably the fastest front three in the competition. That pace was clear early on when Wasi chased a loose back pass after five mins and might’ve done better with the stretching touch that she sent wide of the frame. Having said that, it was the WeeNix who were setting the initial tone. Their high press was making it tough for AU to play through and that led to McMillan punting one chance over the top before McMeeken drew a magnificent save out of Aimee Hall from closer range.

Ah but the thing about having pacey forwards is that you don’t need to be bossing possession to get them involved. Counter attacks work even better. The WeeNix had been on the surge but they turned the ball over near the penalty area. Yume Harashima slipped a quick escape pass towards Maisy Dewell nearer to halfway. Dewell threaded a remarkable ball through for Alexis Cook to chase. Cook then outgassed McMeeken (which takes some serious legs). At the last moment, ZM lunged in desperately but only managed to supply a convenient deflection to take her NZ U19s teammate’s shot past keeper Charlotte Eagle for the opening goal.

Auckland United settled into the ascendency after the goal, boosting their passing stats as they searched for space down either flank. But they slowed things down in the process and were almost caught out when Ella McCann stole the ball off Chelsea Elliott at the back. Hall made a remarkable save diving with one hand only for the ball to fall for Mickey Robertson... who hit the post with at least half of an open goal in front of her. Very uncharacteristic. Still, the WeeNix kept plugging away and late in the half they managed to tie things up when Alyssha Eglinton’s in-swinging corner from the left was nodded over the line from pretty much on the line by Ella McCann.

It was a half that Auckland Utd had to have felt they dominated and yet they were stuck at 1-1 with only the prolific shot-stopping of their goalie preventing them from a deficit. They knew full well that anything less than a win would be devastating for their final dreams. It’d soon emerge that they had absolutely nothing to worry about... because they took this thing to the marketplace in the second half. Beginning with Bree Johnson dashing through to score within literally a minute of the resumption. That pace up front once again.

The Nix Reserves came close to a quick counter-punch when Phoebe Hawes ran onto a loose ball and crunched it off the crossbar, then Mickey Robertson couldn’t get a clean strike on the follow-up. The Phoenix defence have made a habit of positive in-game adjustments and they actually did managed to limit the threat of that pace the rest of the way – McMeeken vs Cook was a belter of a duel. So United changed their approach by subbing on Shannon Henson and Pia Vlok. The Nix then made a couple of 70th minute changes which heralded the end of Bex Lake’s afternoon. Tidy from the A-League defender, especially as an organiser... and as soon as she went off the slippery slope appeared.

First came Yume Harashima stepping onto a ball outside the area, drifting past a defender, and then whacking it top bins. A wonderful goal in the 72nd minute. Three mins later Talisha Green scored an even better one blasting a low volley bottom corner from the edge of the box, capping a superb performance full of energy, combativeness, driving runs, and long throw-ins.

Those were two superb goals. The next was a goalkeeping mistake as Eagle couldn’t grasp a corner kick from Dani Canham that then went straight into the net. Then in stoppage time Penny Brill was able to pop one home as well, the substitute getting in on the act. Four goals in the last twenty minutes. Final score was 6-1 to Auckland United who not only add an important three points but also give their goal difference a timely boost.

It got away from the Nix in the end but they were in range with twenty to go. Some better finishing, including from their pros, and they’d have had a hope there. Live and learn. That’s now six goals for Ella McCann while Alyssha Eglinton and Ella McMillan continue to prove themselves as academy standouts. On the other side we had a goal and assist for Alexis Cook as Auckland United scored six with six different scorers. It was runners in behind at first, then it was individual class later on. Not much else to say other than that they did what needed doing and now have set up a monstrously enticing meeting with Western Springs next week. It’s all there for the taking.

Wellington Phoenix Reserves 1-6 Auckland United

19’ | AU | 0-1 | Cook (Dewell)

43’ | WP | 1-1 | McCann (Eglinton)

46’ | AU | 1-2 | Johnson (Cook)

72’ | AU | 1-3 | Harashima

75’ | AU | 1-4 | Green

84’ | AU | 1-5 | Canham

90+4’ | AU | 1-6 | Brill

If you rate the reads on TNC then please support the hectic hours that go into all this with a nudge on our Patreon or a Paid Substack subscription – our eternal thanks to those who fund what we do

Also helps to whack an ad, do all the sharing/reposting stuff, or make a direct donation

Keep cool but care