Auckland United vs Wellington Phoenix Reserves

Unlike in the Men’s comp, the WNL grand finalists were already decided heading into the final round. Auckland United, two games away from winning every major trophy and going undefeated through an entire calendar year, were one of those finalists so they had the freedom to take it easy for this fixture at Keith Hay Park. But not too easy. Still gotta give the home fans a treat. Still gotta keep that undefeated streak going. So while Chloe Knott did take the game off, most of the other rotated players were still available from the bench. Greer Macintosh and Dani Canham missed their first starts of the Nats. Alaina Granger dropped into central defence while teenagers Penny Brill and Pia Vlok got opportunities in the midfield.

The Wellington Phoenix’s ALW side had a wonderful (and overdue) win on Friday night beating Adelaide United 1-0 thanks to a goal from Maya McCutcheon - who was brilliant in that game, winning tackle after tackle in midfield. Unfortunately for the reserves, that was an away game so there wasn’t anyone freed up to play here. In fact, worse than that, they lost keeper Brooke Neary who had to fly over as cover when Aimee Danieli suffered a concussion during the week. Neary ended up on the bench for the A-League game and nearly got subbed on when Carolina Vilão took a knock. CV recovered so that debut will have to wait. That meant Charlotte Eagle was between the sticks for the WeeNix – the fourth keeper they’ve used after Neary, Danieli, and Aoife Gallagher-Forbes. Eagle was one of three changes from the 4-1 loss to Western Springs (which they were leading 1-0 at HT), the others being Holly Robins at CB and Grace Bartlett in midfield. Alysha Eglinton remained in the backline after doing a solid job filling in during that Springs match.

It only took a couple of minutes to realise that AUFC’s unbeaten run wasn’t likely to be under much threat. The WeeNix could barely get the ball out of their half against United’s incessant press. Charlotte Roche stabbed wide from one such situation after Kaley Ward pulled the ball back for her. Saskia Vosper should probably have scored with a header that she sent wide from around nine yards, again from an insufficient clearance. Beyond that there were a lot of high crosses into the area which Eagle did really well with... and Alexis Cook also smashed a volley off target from deep in the box, sparking visions of a goal of the season candidate.

Yet ten minutes became fifteen became twenty became twenty-five and this match remained goalless. Vlok and Roche both whacked shots wide. Vosper had one blocked before setting up Roche with a punt into the arms of Eagle. Chelsea Elliott had a dig from way back which only just dropped over the top. The WeeNix did offer up some slick possessions, that’s the benefit of full-time academy training. None of it led to any major chances but they were withstanding the pressure and, to be honest, they were doing so relatively comfortably. Roche flicked one over at the near post from a Vlok cross. Ward nearly snuck a header under the bar. Elliott drew a very good save from Eagle with a header off the resulting corner. Alexis Cook was the one offering the most spark but yeah nah 0-0 at half-time.

Sadly, Emily Humphrey didn’t quite make it that far. She went down while doing her defensive mahi late in the half and needed to be helped off the pitch. Hopefully nothing serious for a very promising right fullback who only recently got back from the U17 World Cup. Libby McMillan took her place for the rest of this match. On the other side, Auckland United made a minutes-managing sub during the break with Talisha Green on for Saskia Vosper at left-back.

More of the same ensued as the match got underway again. Sienna Candy did get a shot on target for the WeeNix but it was a bobbler of no serious danger to a keeper like Hannah Mitchell (who was halfway towards a fifth clean sheet in a nine-game season). Going back the other way, Eagle had trouble with a wobbly long strike from Green while Ward lifted an effort slightly wide aiming for the far top corner. McConnell couldn’t finish sneaking into the area. Sixty minutes and it remained even... but the writing was on the wall and that breakthrough goal soon arrived when Charlotte Roche, of course, was able to bang in from close range.

The goal happened from a controversial corner kick with the WeeNix feeling that Ward had taken the ball out of bounds rather than Bartlett. No comment on that – impossible to see from the stream coverage. The goal was coming one way or another. With that, Roche moved to seven for the term drawing level with Kendall Pollock (whose Waterside Karori team played on Sunday). As soon as they scored, the WeeNix subbed on Paige Satchell (in place of Cook), slamming the foot on the metaphorical accellerator. At the same time, Harashima took a rest with Granger moving to midfield and Jess Philpot on in defence.

Elliott went close from another corner. There was a crazy moment where Eagle was pressed by both Ward and Roche and somehow squeezed the ball away... though only as far as Vlok who drilled it across the face of goal. Rene Wasi joined the action for AU, keeping up the energy. Vlok had a decent effort from outside the box. On and on with Auckland United creating chances without needing to get out of second gear. Because second gear got them a second goal. Guess who? Charlotte Roche, nodding in from a Pia Vlok corner kick. Eight for the season and now Kendall Pollock was going to have some work to do.

Aaaaand then they immediately scored again. This time it was Rene Wasi attacking a Vlok corner from that same left side. Wasi’s initial header wasn’t up to much but her second shot had to be blocked off the line. It then bounced back to her for a third attempt and this time it ended up in the net. Sweet as. Greer Macintosh ended up replacing Talisha Green with five to go, Green getting subbed on and subbed off in the same game. Seemed to be limping a bit and they had no reason to risk anything with a grand final to play in eight days. There was enough time left for one more of those cheeky Vlok corners to bounce off the far post but that was all. Auckland United were posed some questions along the way but eventually their depth and class and experience shone through for a 3-0 win.

Similar yarns to last week for the Nix leaking those late goals... though on both occasions, Western Springs and Auckland United, they were up against teams and players that knew how to grind them down over ninety minutes. Nothing to panic about there. They were good performances, both of them. Charlotte Eagle was very much the star of this game with some very safe handling against a team that must have had at least thirty shots out there. It wasn’t a game that gave them much room to show off but the likes of Grace Bartlett, Alyssha Eglinton, Mackenzie Greene, and Katie Pugh still had their moments. It’s hard to fathom but this WeeNix team used 29 different players across these nine games. Greene and Isla Cleall-Harding were the only two who featured in all nine. Every single one of those players is vying for scholarship contracts with the A-League squad down the line.

Thus Auckland United makes it a 48-game undefeated streak. The last time they lost was a 3-2 defeat against Eastern Suburbs in week two of the 2023 WNL season. They crossed over a full 365 days without a loss back on October 10 and the count’s still growing. But that’s spanning two different seasons, the real focus is what they’ve achieved specifically in 2024 with 37 wins, 3 draws, 0 defeats, 115 goals scored, and 17 goals against. They’ve won the NRFL Premiership, the Oceania Champions League, and the Kate Sheppard Cup. One game and one trophy remains for them to raise a quadruple and an invincible season.

But sticking to this game specifically, congrats to Charlotte Roche who continues to deliver crucial goals pretty much whenever her team needs it. Her all-round game has improved so much since moving to Auckland Utd. Great to see Pia Vlok for just the second time this season. The U17 World Cup kept her busy elsewhere but Vlok already showed last season that she’s got some serious creative gifts on a footy pitch and what do ya know she delivered two assists here. Vlok is a top tier kiwi footballing prospect. Plus Alexis Cook was bright, Alaina Granger brought some lovely composure, and Kaley Ward kept her team driving towards the goals that they did eventually uncover.

Auckland United 3-0 Wellington Phoenix Reserves

63’ | AU | 1-0 | Roche (Vlok)

80’ | AU | 2-0 | Roche (Vlok)

81’ | AU | 3-0 | Wasi

Canterbury United Pride vs Western Springs

There was a sweet moment at the beginning of this match as the two sides walked onto the English Park turf, pausing in formation to form a guard of honour for Pride defender Annie Gilchrist who is retiring as a legend of the team. She hadn’t actually played for a couple of years but was back in business for 2024 where she proved the old saying that class is permanent. And the reasons she hadn’t played for a couple of years were able to walk out with her through that guard of honour. Gotta have a few mums across the league to keep all the youngsters in check.

Canterbury United did beat Central last week but they had to work surprisingly hard for it. With that win in the bag, snapping a three-game losing streak, they got to play without pressure for their home fans. That included a few future-orientated changes to the team with Scarlett Gray making a third start in goal, Amber de Wit making a second start in midfield, and Darsha Keoghan making her first start this year also in midfield. Plus they recalled Kate Loye, Britney Lee-Nicholson, Claudia Wilson, and Denva Perrott to the starting side. No Nicola Dominikovich, Charlotte Mortlock, or Anna McPhie... meaning that Lisa Evans was the only player in the eleven who’d scored a goal this year. Apparently Dominikovich and Mortlock (and Grace Johns) have re-signed in the Aussie NPL and were therefore ineligible... which seems inconvenient.

On the other side, visitors Western Springs found some form scoring ten times in consecutive wins against Central and Wellington Phoenix... admittedly two of the weaker sides but at least they were comprehensive. Only one change for them and that was Anya Stephan stepping back into the side... but they did switch things around with Tiana Hill at left-back and Arisa Takeda in the centre.

Aimee Phillips used to play for Canterbury United, in fact she used to be one of their best players. But she’s moved to Western Springs for this National League which was why she was able to punish her old buddies by setting up a very early goal. Nice and direct, lifting a cross into the middle for Kitty Jacob who headed it sweetly into the top corner. Barely three minutes into the match.

The Cantabs were under some heavy pressure. They were getting mobbed in midfield leading to chances upon chances. Jacob nearly got her noggin on a cross from Hill on the other side, which Savage then touched wide at the back post. Rina Hirano turned and shot in the area but Gray made a really excellent stop on the dive. Frisky times... though when they did get up the other end they managed to pose a similar threat, with Amberley Hollis making a mean reaction save against De Wit. Springs then blew a massive opportunity to score again after Hirano went skipping to the byline with some great skill only for Jacob to miss the cut-back and Phillips to kick it straight at Gray.

From there, the Pride tried a few long shots through Kate Loye and Lisa Evans but Hollis handled all that with ease. Nothing amazing there but it did reflect how the Pride were beginning to stretch the pitch out and bypass that Springs press (most of the time). And if Margi Dias was a little taller she might have reached Nicholson’s square ball across goal. Amber de Wit also caused some hiccups with a deep shot that bounced awkwardly in front of Hollis. This was better from the Pride.

Until Rina Hirano showed what the home side were missing when she stepped into a half-clearance in the Canterbury area and thwacked a superb half-volley shot into the top corner. Top class bit of finishing. Only issue was that it was disallowed for unclear reasons. The ref initially seemed to give it but the lino threw a flag up to chalk off what would have been a special goal. Phantom offside call. You get them sometimes. Canterbury United fortunate to only be down 1-0 at the break.

Aaaaand then it very quickly got away from them. First they conceded a Perrott own goal on 49’, flying in from a deflection on Indigo Kirk’s shot from the edge of the area following some nice work by Anya Stephan getting to the byline. Second, they conceded on 52’ when Phillips lifted a clever ball to the back post where Liz Savage stuck a foot out for the tap-in. A second assist for Phillips against her old team and more canny goal-hoarding from Savage who has scored four times in the final three weeks of the season. The Swans scored in the fourth minute of the first half and the fourth minute of the second half and comebacks tend to be scarce from there, especially without nearly all of your known goal-scorers.

There was a moment of Vintage Annie G when she made a lunging challenge in the box to dispossess a charging Hill. Then the substitutions began, with both teams able to clear their outfield options at the expense of any remaining fluidity in the match. Last day of school term vibes. But it was nice to see Dorothy Yek get some more minutes after her goal last week and even nicer to see Jacinta Borer of Nelson Suburbs get a WNL debut for the Pride. Western Springs were the more assertive team but this game died long before its final breath. Good ol’ 3-0 win for Western Springs on the road.

It was a bit of a stitch-up for Canterbury United to be without so many of their best players hence we can’t blame them for being short of capacity. This was a very young team with Amber De Wit having only turned 17 last week which is still a few weeks older than keeper Scarlett Gray. Denva Perrott’s still youth team eligible, as is Megan Simpson (who didn’t play this game) and Dorothy Yek (who came off the bench). They started so well with 10 points from four matches, including memorable wins over West Coast Rangers and Southern Utd, then lost all momentum... but there’s progress here that’ll flow into next year (assuming the league format still includes them). Although not for Amber De Wit because she’s joining the WeeNix in January.

Given the freshness of these Cantabs, you could argue that Western Springs just beat up another youth team. Even if they did, 13 goals in three games was a fine way to hit the finish line, creeping them up above Canterbury on the standings as they did so. The Pride have their young talent but so do Western Springs with Charli Dunn proving herself to be one of the very best teenaged defenders in the country. Indigo Kirk had a bright display in midfield too. But this game was all about the veteran forwards. Rina Hirano, Aimee Phillips, and Liz Savage were the ones who dictated the outcome. Too good.

Canterbury United Pride 0-3 Western Springs

4’ | WS | 0-1 | Jacob (Phillips)

49’ | WS | 0-2 | Own Goal (Kirk)

52’ | WS | 0-3 | Savage (Phillips)

Southern United vs Waterside Karori

Down at Logan Park in Dunedin, neither Southern United nor Waterside Karori could finish any lower than they began the week. For Southern that meant bottom half, as slight but critical regressions in attack and defence have seen them dip way down the ladder despite finishing second a year ago. The WNL is too close and too competitive in the mid-table to get away with that. But they did sorta get to experience the grand final by proxy because they gave Auckland United a little bit of a scare in only losing 2-1 last week and here they hosted the other finalist in the very next fixture.

Amy Hislop was named to make her first and only start of the season for Southern, finally fit enough to reclaim her striker role... except that when the teams walked out it was Millie Scott out there instead. Hislop maybe not quite feeling it, though she’d still get twenty off the bench. Georgia Keen played as the number nine in a notable change from her usual midfield role. Elsewhere, Kelsey Kennard (CB) and Samantha Woolley (RB) returned to the eleven in a back four that also featured Stacey Martin at left-back to add to her versatility. There was also a fresh look to their bench with Megan Waayer, Madi McLean, Sophia Body, and Freya Des Fountain all promoted from the youth team.

Waterside Karori didn’t need to risk anything ahead of the final so they went without Emma Starr, the American midfield maestra who had scored in four straight weeks. Tui Dugan also took a rest. Jennifer Larrick and Rhianna Houghton started in midfield in their places, though the rest of them were as expected... including Kendall Pollock who didn’t have a choice but to rip in because her golden boot lead had been usurped by Charlotte Roche. Roche scored four goals in her last two games while Pollock hadn’t scored since week six. And of course this was also a family affair for the Morton whanau with Rose Morton (SU) and Sarah Morton (WK) not only lining up against each other but doing so as respective captains. As they did last year. Needless to say, the coin toss was a bundle of laughs between the two cheeriest players in the comp.

Millie Scott almost didn’t start... then she almost scored inside the opening minute when she ripped an effort on target which required a full-stretch save from Annie Foote. With Shontelle Smith firing the ball around in the middle and Georgia Keen getting good touches it was easy to forget which one of these teams was undefeated. Waterside Karori had scored three times in the first eleven minutes to burn West Coast Rangers last week but they had nowhere near the same intensity this time. And you’ve gotta be careful against Southern because they like to score a few early goals too. On three previous occasions they’d scored inside ten minutes... and you could make that four when a punt from keeper Lauren Patterson was flicked on by Keen and Shontelle Smith then lifted the bouncing ball over Foote for yet another season highlight. It takes a lot of energy to be the barometer player in a side with Rose Morton and Hannah Mackay-Wright but somehow Smithy has done that this year, she’s been unstoppable.

The Wharfies had been caught slow with limited possession and territory. Furukawa nearly got them going running in behind with pace... until Patterson closed her down not once but twice. Meanwhile, Southern continued to play some wonderful intricate stuff, bouncing off their Aussie forwards Scott and Keen with runners in motion. Daphne Ranta, the youngest of the key Wharfies players by a big margin, produced a couple of very handy defensive interventions, although a deflection she made to a Smith shot from range nearly ended up in the back of her own net. It only didn’t because Foote dove to her right to tip it away for a corner kick. But then Shontelle Smith did this from that corner kick...

Yeah mate one more National League olimpico for the road. Tessa McPherson did get a touch on the line but it was already going in. That’s Smithy’s goal. Her second of the game and fifth for the season. Did someone say unstoppable?

Waterside Karori still couldn’t seem to keep the ball outside their own defensive third... and even then there were frisky moments, like when Foote passed one straight to Abby Rankin who wasn’t able to get her lefty lob on target or else it would have been threesies. Smith and Morton were jumping on anything marginally loose. Keen was linking brilliantly from up front - if only they’d tried that ploy earlier. The best Wharfies chance of the half came when Kennard underhit a back pass, giving Pollock something to chase after, but Patterson stayed big and denied her. Charlotte Roche breathed a sigh of relief at the other end of the country.

The second half began and Southern picked up where they left off. Danica Urlich-Beech would have scored another one (on the end of a Smith cross, as if it needs saying) if it weren’t for a truly spectacular one-handed save by Annie Foote, then Keen had a decent look from the edge of the box that she sent straight at AF while Scott also sliced one into the side-netting dashing onto a ball over the top. Karori were trying to play fast, they were trying to move the ball. They just couldn’t get a foothold. Furukawa wanted to chip Patterson after another self-inflicted Southern turnover but didn’t get the lift. On came Nicola Ross and Lizzie Ingham, part of the idea being to get Sarah Morton into midfield. And they were still getting mobbed.

It took nine weeks but Southern were absolutely cooking... if only they had nine more weeks of this. Scott was whacking in crosses. Rose Morton nearly snuck one into the top corner with a shot from outside the area. DUB went close with one of those shot/cross hybrids. Then Pollock got booked for clipping the heels of Shontelle Smith (yes, her again) and KP would have to concede her golden boot charge because of that, subbed off a few mins later since it was more important to protect her for the grand final. Just before that, Southern had made a sub of their own and it was Amy Hislop sent on. No let up there. Particularly when Hislop did a Maradona turn at the top of the box but unfortunately her shot fizzed past the post to deprive the hungry public of what would have been a legendary goal.

However, the situation did allow Southern to give Freya Des Fountain a debut with fifteen to go, replacing Kennard who’d copped a blow (she probably could have carried on if the game was more in the balance). That was a debut for Des Fountain and there were debuts for the other three youth teamers - who’d all played that morning in a 3-1 win against Central’s NYL side - would get their own opportunities near the end. Attackers Sophia Body and Madi McLean, goalkeeper Megan Waayer. McLean played once off the bench last year so she wasn’t on debut but the other two were. Some names for the future there. Anyway, Southern United went on to take it 2-0.

Now that’s the way to finish a campaign. It doesn’t move Southern up the ladder from eighth place but it’ll be one heck of a memory, that was a borderline complete performance from SU who were up against a previously undefeated Wharfies team that had scored in every other game this season and they never even gave them a sniff. It was a swarming midfield effort that set things up led by Shontelle Smith. Rose Morton and Georgia Keen were fantastic too. Millie Scott and Danica Urlich-Beech gave them quality out wide. Stacey Martin was really good at fullback. Those defenders, and keeper Lauren Patterson, were quick to pounce on anything that got through. More of this plus a healthy Amy Hislop and who knows they might have been nudging that top two again. They just beat the second-placed team after all... no doubt giving Auckland United a few ideas.

Waterside Karori were prioritising next week and that’s exactly what they needed to do. But this was hardly what they wanted heading into a title decider. The Wharfies have lost their undefeated status. They’ve missed out on their striker getting golden boot. At least they came through without any injuries or else it would have been a disaster. Waterside Karori have got an experienced squad though. They won’t lose sight of the bigger picture, nor will they overreact to one bad game. All will be forgotten if they can win the championship at North Harbour Stadium.

Southern United 2-0 Waterside Karori

9’ | SU | 1-0 | Smith (Keen)

27’ | SU | 2-0 | Smith

West Coast Rangers vs Eastern Suburbs

The Men’s NL had four teams still with hopes of qualifying for the final as week nine began and none of them were playing each other so almost all of the games had ramifications. The WNL did not have such consequences which removed all the jeopardy. But, look, a good game of footy is still a good game of footy whether there’s a championship on the line or not. West Coast Rangers were at Fred Taylor Park to end their first National League quest, one in which they’ve been competitive in every game (except for the first ten minutes against Waterside Karori last week) but have lacked a bit of that pesky know-how in some crucial situations. One step at a time, it’s the only way to learn.

WCR brought back Joanne Peel in goal plus Kendrah Smith returned in defence. They also revived the tricky trio up front by selecting Emily Lyon in the initial eleven while Erin Freeman joined the midfield with no Mackenzie Longmuir in the team for the first time. This was Freeman’s last game for the club before going back to Canada. Luci Hollister wasn’t in the starting team but she is also destined for North America, soon to move to New York on a hockey scholarship. National League footballer, hockey scholarship... and she’s been an age-grade rep at cricket too. Some people are just good at everything. Slightly different look for Rangers who pushed Marissa Porteous up into a defensive midfield role for more of a 4-3-3 shape than their usual 3-4-3.

Eastern Suburbs started slowly with no goals in their first three games but they haven’t stopped scoring since. Kenya Brooke was fit enough to start after some concussion issues. Jess Innes was back in the side after missing the draw with Wellington United. And also Naveena Nanda made her second appearance of the term... haven’t seen her since the week two loss to Auckland United. Nothing to play for but these were two positive, attacking, proactive football teams crossing paths and raw nature cannot be contained.

Or perhaps it can because it was the defenders who laid down the initial statements. Emily Pilbrow and Kenya Brooke were both able to rush Shannon Hewson off the ball as she closed in on shooting positions, while Pilbrow also made a clutch block after Bree Johnson had snuck the ball past keeper Nikki Whyte on the move. Maisy Dewell was convinced that her cross had his Saki Yoshida’s hand... then she bumped over Yoshida to concede a foul instead. It took 15 minutes for Lorna Selby to flip a header on target from a Smith free kick. Whyte saved it easily but it was a chance nonetheless. Next came some biffo when Brooke tripped up Henson, who got up and threw a sneaky shove her way... an overreaction to show that this game did indeed have some fizz in it.

The fizz bubbled over after twenty minutes when Bree Johnson ran onto a dink in behind from Lyon, poking the ball past the on-rushing Whyte and getting slammed over in the process. The shot went wide so the penalty was given. Emily Lyon placed the ball on the spot then placed it into the bottom corner even though Whyte did get a hand to it (and hurt herself in doing so... though was able to continue after a quick patch-up). 1-0 to Rangers after 22 minutes and they deserved that after having much more of the action, bringing back their fast-starting ways of earlier in the term (when that Johnson/Lyon/Henson trio was starting much more regularly). Redemptive moment for Emily Lyon too after having missed a penalty in week four.

Eastern Suburbs did get Britney Cunningham-Lee and Zoe Benson into good places on a couple of occasions but didn’t make anything of it. Otherwise they were stuck in defence trying to avoid letting another one in. Henson shanked a good effort while Marissa Porteous headed very slightly wide from a corner. Nothing like the chance BCL had for Subs when she punted a bouncing ball into the crossbar from inside the six-yard box, hard to comprehend her missing that. Rangers promptly scored again when space was left for Erin Freeman drifting wide on the left and she picked a perfect spot for a low cross which Emily Lyon flipped in from close. Two for Lyon. Two for Rangers.

Yuki Nishizono went close to lifting an awkward one inside the post after one of the several corner kicks that Eastern Suburbs won in the latter stages of the first half. One of the other corners provided a remarkable sequence where Benson’s delivery met Brooke who headed it off the crossbar. The ball then dropped for Nishizono whose shot was denied at close range by Ella Dorward on the line. No luck for Nishizono there... so next time she took the corner and somehow Cunningham-Lee managed to turn it home with her knee. Jo Peel might have been nudged off balance in trying to save it but they let the goal stand. Right before the break, Eastern Suburbs had gotten themselves back in range... and BCL had her seventh goal of the season.

It randomly started raining during the half, though the drizzle soon passed over. Unlike the long bomb from Freeman five mins into the second half which didn’t go over and didn’t go under... it rocked the crossbar. Nikki Whyte was courageous beyond belief in rushing off her line. It’d cost her a penalty earlier but it saved heaps of chances the rest of the way. That included one where Lyon had backheeled Johnson in behind only for Whyte to slide out and block it. Lyon did have a small window to chip Whyte from deep before she recovered her position... but she hooked it wide. Meanwhile, Zoe Brazier was chucked on for Subs and swiftly stung a shot on target. Then back the other way there was a blazing run from Lorna Selby who squared for Dewell only for Dewell to push it straight at the keeper.

Last half hour of the season, what else did these teams have left? Johnson sent a shot across the face of goal after being picked out by Freeman for WCR. Brazier dinked a cross towards a crowd of teammates but it dropped onto the crossbar instead for ES. Rangers were keen on countering wherever they could, especially through Bree Johnson. They also had Dewell swerve a free kick wide of the far post while Johnson was unable to turn a rebound at the back post beyond Whyte off a corner. To be clear, it was Rangers that were creeping way closer towards the hypothetical next goal... although BCL did find herself wide open with about five to go. Lurking deep from a cross after Subs had sent players up for a corner, she had time to take a touch but maybe took too much time. Then again there’s no accounting for Marissa Porteous zooming from outta nowhere to deflect the shot over the top. Cunningham-Lee was ever-so-slightly below her usual high standards this week. Porteous, on the other hand, was at her very best.

And that was how it all wrapped up. West Coast Rangers with a 2-1 victory that adds plenty of shine to their first WNL campaign – even if they still did finish behind Eastern Suburbs on goal difference. It’s felt like an inefficient season yet WCR’s only three defeats have come against the two finalists plus that ridiculous 4-3 loss to Canterbury where they conceded twice in stoppage time. Late concessions like that were a problem to begin with but they confidently held onto their lead in this match. Good win.

Marissa Porteous was fantastic in that defensive midfield role that suits her so well – shades of her old Southern teammate Rose Morton about it. Erin Freeman’s last WNL game was her best, picking clever passes and bagging an assist. Emily Lyon showed yet again that she’s a goal-fiend, plus Bree Johnson and Lorna Selby were constant threats on the left edge. By the way, of the five games where WCR started with the Johnson/Lyon/Henson trio up front, they won three and drew two with 14 goals scored. In the other four games, they won one and lost three with six goals scored. Last year West Coast Rangers missed out on WNL qualification by a single point. This year they surged to a second-place finish to qualify with ease, even if there were some stumbles in the National League itself. Huge improvements from year to year to year. Now we await what they do in 2025.

Eastern Suburbs can be proud of their mahi too. They also lost to the two finalists but this was their only other defeat. It was a frustrating game for them, unable to click the way they have been doing (no Sofia Garcia didn’t help)... but Nikki Whyte continued to show what an excellent keeper she is with her aggressive closeouts and aerial grabs on top of numerous saves. Yuki Nishizono is always good, while Kenya Brooke’s strong defence makes a difference. This was a transitional season for the Lilywhites and they almost didn’t qualify for this stage at all, yet they’ve ended up in third place as the highest-scoring team (the three non-Auckland United clubs were all tied on 14 points, though Eastern Subs had the best goal difference).

West Coast Rangers 2-1 Eastern Suburbs

22’ | WCR | 1-0 | Lyon [p] (Johnson)

34’ | WCR | 2-0 | Lyon (Freeman)

45’ | ES | 2-1 | Cunningham-Lee (Nishizono)

Wellington United vs Central Football

Not to be rude about it, but most teams have been able to bang goals away against Central. It wasn’t the case for Canterbury United last week who laboured to a 2-1 win against an even younger Central side than usual... but Wellington United needed a feast of goals and this was their last chance. They had only scored five times in their previous five matches. In an offering to that cause, they appeared to change things up with a midfield diamond by elevating Natalie Brook for her first start this year in the only change from the 2-2 draw with Eastern Suburbs.

As for Central, they were a little stronger this week with Isabelle Dunning (CB) and Lilly Dowsing (FW) available within the 4-1-4-1 shape that worked pretty well for them last week. Charlotte Cameron continued in that holding midfield role. Zara Erol-Watt played right midfield, adding another position to her repertoire having already played fullback on both sides and as a central midfielder. Strangely, this was the third time that Central have played at Martin Luckie Park this year – only one fewer game than they played at their home ground at Massey Uni. They only played at four different grounds and one of the others was Fraser Park so they only once ventured outside of Wellington or Palmerston North (which is sneakily kinda worse because Wellington is close enough to drive to... whereas they’d probably rather fly for the quicker trip).

Predictably, Wellington United were straight into it with some slick passing and direct running, with Pilley and Olson getting plenty of touches. Olson got an early sighter on target from range while Pilley poked a Catherwood cross past the post... although Lilly Dowsing did whip a low shot on target for Central inside of three minutes, forcing a very competent save from the very competent Molly Simons. Central were battling away, they always do. But the Diamonds still took a 12th minute lead. Great team move beginning with the goalkeeper. Pilley outmuscled Ella Johns-Stewart to get on the ball in behind and even though Campbell somehow made an incredible save from HP’s shot... Misha Koyari was there following up to make it 1-0.

Welly Utd did get a bit impatient after they scored, looking to play too directly through the well-stocked defensive shape of Central. When they did string some slick passes together up the right edge it led to Olson crossing for Hope Gilchrist at the back post who nudged her shot slightly wide. Curiously, most of the chances were falling to midfielder Hope Gilchrist. As the half went on those moves became a lot more common. Central were happy in their mid-block and the credit was theirs for playing disruptors, plus Sophie Campbell was making the saves that she needed to make. But there’s only so long that status quo can last for. Caelin Patterson pounced on the second phase from a corner to smack a shot low towards Campbell who saved it but couldn’t clear it. Hannah Pilley jumped in with visions of her first goal of the term. Campbell blocked that effort as well... but Pilley kept going and squeezed the ball over for 2-0. Then, one minute later, Hope Gilchrist slipped a clever pass through the Central defence for Natalie Olson who rocked that sucker in off the crossbar with a superb finish.

To be honest, there could easily have been another one when Barrott lobbed over the top for Pilley who couldn’t lift her volley over Campbell. Central were on the slippery slope late in the half. Next thing, Olson was linking up with Gilchrist again only this time she generously squared the ball to Hannah Pilley who collected the ball with a sweet first touch to go around her marker and, borrowing from Olson’s example, slammed in off the underside of the crossbar. Three goals in three minutes, two of them for Hannah Pilley (not quite Myer Bevan for Auckland City in the MNL but close). Turns out there would be a Diamonds goal-fest after all.

There were still another 45 minutes remaining in the season and Central were going to have to buckle up. If Pilley hadn’t got tangled with Dunning then she might have completed her hatty in the opening seconds of the second stanza. Central made two subs at the break, sending on Kya Solomon and Caitlyn Turner, while Welly Utd let Hannah Cooper stretch her legs. Ten minutes later Molly Mills joined for Central. Wellington Utd made a triple sub after an hour (Jemma Robertson, Sarah Alder & Farina Anchico). A further ten minutes and Leonie Heck was on for CF. Then Anne Brow made a WNL debut for WU after a further five mins. Mackenzie Butler finished it off for Central with ten remaining. Ten substitutions combined. Morale of the story being that lots of subs causes a stop-start game of football. Not to worry because the damage had been done and this was merely the cruise to the finish line.

In amongst all that, there were two more goals. Jemma Robertson produced an expert finish, unsaveable into the top corner, after a Carolyn O’Reilly shot had deflected into her path on 66’. Then O’Reilly got a goal for herself on 80’ when Campbell tried to punch a Barrott corner away but couldn’t reach through the crowd. The ball dropped into the chaos and O’Reilly poked it over the line. There were several other chances, almost all for Wellington United (including a few more for Gilchrist who was clearly cursed to have ended up with nothing – she even hit the crossbar near the end) but six was enough.

Also, that debut for Anne Brow? She’s 14 years old. Has been playing NYL and now here was a taste of senior footy already. Same age as Sophie Campbell was a few years ago when she first featured in goal for Central. There was a funny moment as Brow got ready to enter the game and Molly Simons assumed that she’d be making way so she jogged over to the fourth official only to see that it was the #8 on display instead. Hannah Cooper subbed off, possibly carrying an injury considering she was a sub herself, and that meant Molly Simons got to stay on the pitch... as a makeshift striker for the last fifteen mins of the year. In fact, she won the corner that led to the last goal. Leonie Heck was also used as a striker for Central, admittedly a position she’s much more used to, but that meant there were four goalkeepers on the pitch as the game concluded.

Lock it in as a zero-point season for Central. They leaned extra hard into last year’s successful youth team squad and will have gained plenty of valuable experience but it certainly did not lead to a competitive footy team. Nine games and nine defeats, conceding exactly 50 goals. There were some very encouraging games and there were some very ugly ones. It is what it is. Central has consistently produced really talented female footballers over recent years and there’s no reason why the likes of Sophie Campbell, Zara Erol-Watt, Isabelle Dunning, and Charlotte Cameron won’t be added to that list in a few years.

It was cool to see Wellington United bang some goals away though. They’ve always had the potential, they just haven’t always had the production. Natalie Olson was a driving force early on while Hannah Pilley cashed in with two goals and an assist as the main striker. Hope Gilchrist deserved a goal and didn’t get one. She still had an excellent game and the same can be said for Carolyn O’Reilly and Zoe Barrott. Plus they teased a few of their own next generation talents in Lillian Davies, Anne Brow, and Farina Anchico. It’ll be stinging to see their rivals Waterside Karori in the grand final. But this was a happy way to signal the final curtain.

Wellington United 6-0 Central Football

12’ | WU | 1-0 | Koyari (Pilley)

40’ | WU | 2-0 | Pilley

41’ | WU | 3-0 | Olson (Gilchrist)

43’ | WU | 4-0 | Pilley (Olson)

66’ | WU | 5-0 | Robertson

80’ | WU | 6-0 | O’Reilly

Standings

Top Goalscorers

Top Assists

Get amongst the whanau on Patreon, Substack, or Buy Me A Coffee if you appreciate the yarns on The Niche Cache and have the means to contribute towards the cause

Also helps to whack an ad, do the likes/comments/shares, and tell your mates about us

Keep cool but care