Aotearoa Domestic Football Roundup – August 11
Men’s Northern League
The shenanigans in the latest round of Men’s Northern League were almost indescribable but let’s do our best because this much craziness ought to be recorded for posterity. We’ll begin with a midweeker at Fred Taylor Park where West Coast Rangers hosted Auckland United. They were getting that one out of the way to clear space for Auckland United’s Chatham Cup semi-final next week. This was relegation battler against title hunter and... it went just about as expected. Auckland United won 5-1. Goals from Emiliano Tade (12’), Boyd Curry (33’), Will Mendoza (45’), Otto Ingham (48’), and then Tade again (83’). Joel Elliott gave WCR a consolation goal with a minute remaining. That win took Auckland United up to second with 36 points, two behind leaders Western Springs but having played an extra game. Tade’s second goal took him top of the Golden Boot ranks with 13, bumping ahead of Morgan Wellsbury of Tauranga City who has 12.
But then Auckland United lost to Manurewa. Two relegation-threatened opponents in the space of three days for AUFC. They thrashed one of them and then were beaten 2-1 by the other. Jackson Baird scored early for Rewa (4’). Lucca Lim eventually tied things up for AU (57’). Then Evan Daniel Paez won it for Manurewa (70’). Incredible outcome for Manurewa who spark a little more hope into their chances of staying up – although they do remain last on goal difference and would have to overtake both West Coast Rangers and Fencibles in order to save themselves. As for Auckland United, they’ve got a cup semi-final to focus on next week but will also now be sweating on how other league results turn out having blown a major chance to pretty much nail down their National League candidacy.
West Coast Rangers played their second match of the week away against Eastern Suburbs, another title chaser, and this performance was much better than the midweek one. The game went on and on and on without a goal and Rangers were moments away from a hard-earned point that had the potential to lift them out of the relegation zone depending on what happened with Fencibles in the later kickoff. But then Eber Ramirez scored a stoppage time winner for Eastern Suburbs. 1-0 final score. Oh well.
Meanwhile Birkenhead United had no dramas gassing beyond Bay Olympic away with a 5-1 victory. Kian Donkers scored a hatty. His opening goal (13’) was matched by William Eng (23’) to have it even at one-apiece until a Birko barrage saw them score three times in the five minutes prior to half-time. Michael Suski (40’), Rohan Kuwale (42’), and then Donkers with his second (45’). KD then buried another on the hour to complete the effort before Sam Philip subbed in for him up top and was sent off at the very end. Two bookings in twenty minutes. Donkers scored against Western Springs a couple weeks ago but this feels like his proper ‘remember me’ match since returning from his time in the Netherlands. We might have to see what happens there because the livestream did make it blatantly clear that the first goal should have been classed as an OG... however, the other two were really nice dinked 1v1 finishes, plus he set up Suski’s goal by drawing the keeper out and passing across him. So it’s either a hat-trick or it’s two goals with two assists. Donkers was awesome whichever way you slice the pizza... and Birkenhead’s three points keep them above Eastern Suburbs and Auckland United as we creep closer to the conclusion.
There were plenty more twists and turns. Remember how Auckland City revitalised their top four charge with consecutive victories against Western Springs and Birkenhead, each thanks to winning goals scored after the ninety minutes? Then they only drew 1-1 with Fencibles last week? Well, they just dropped more points against Auckland FC Reserves. Jeremy Foo’s goal after 40 minutes had them leading throughout the second half only for Codey Phoenix to step up with a wicked stoppage time equaliser. 1-1 was the end result... leaving ACFC three points adrift of the top four with three games left. They’re going to have to rely on other results if they’re to have a chance of defending their National League title and even for those to matter the Navy Blues will need to take care of their own backyard with three more wins. Once again, the late goals giveth and the late goals taketh away.
This result snapped the three-game winning streak that AFC Reserves had been working on but it definitely wasn’t a setback. They’re still undefeated in four as they continue to grind out results without any help from contracted first-teamers. Interesting to see that two of their youngest (and most impressive) recent contributors, Luka Vicelich and Ben Perez Baldoni, were both absent for this game with the A-League side playing an Aussie Cup game away to South Melbourne on Wednesday night. Perhaps that’s merely coincidence. With Vicelich not playing, that leaves Phoenix, Ralph Rutherford, Nick Gaze, and James Taylor as the four blokes who’ve started all four games during the unbeaten streak. One thing we know for sure is that the AFC Ressies will be playing National League later this year.
East Coast Bays vs Tauranga City was basically an elimination game for National League contention. Winner would stay within three points of the top four, loser would fall out of range... and a draw would probably spoil it for both of them. A draw seemed to be the destined outcome after Axel Acebo’s quick goal for TCAFC (5’) was matched by a Guy-Frank Essome-Penda effort (36’). Except that this was a week stacked with late drama so of course Adam Huskic would pop up in injury time to win it for East Coast Bays. 2-1 final score. Tauranga City were standing on the summit not so long ago but they haven’t been able to keep up that form and have now lost more games than they’ve won this year (9 wins, 0 draws, 10 losses). Whereas East Coast Bays have just steadily ground out results the whole way by proving tough to beat (their six draws are the most of any team in the Northern League). There’s still an outside chance that ECB could sneak up into the top four, though don’t hold your breath for that outcome.
Other than the Wednesday night game, those were all Saturday 3pm kickoffs. Hence that was the state of affairs as Fencibles kicked off against Western Springs. Fencies needed whatever they could get to stay ahead of the relegation zone. The Swans could move four points clear in first with a victory. It was Fencies who struck first when Moh Reynolds tapped in from close range after 13 mins but it was Western Springs who led at half-time after Daniel Normann banged in good finish on 38’ and then U17 World Cup candidate William Britton tapped in his first goal at this level on 45’. Springs would later take a 3-1 lead after Britton scored his second following a bit of quality from Reid Drake with the assist. The Swans were singing. They had this game right where they wanted it.
And then suddenly they didn’t. Harrison Lloyd pulled one back with what looked like a deflected effort from just outside the area on 62’. Then Oscar Browne was given a second yellow for Springs, who were left with a quarter of the game to manage with ten men and a 3-2 lead. They almost got there... only for Jaymis Grubjesic (90+1’) and Dylan Laing-McConnell (90+5’) to both strike within a late Fencies onslaught. In a week full of chaotic late goals, these were the two most chaotic of all. This shakes up the title race and the relegation battle. Western Springs still lead but there are now only three points separating first from fourth, while Fencibles are now three clear of the bottom two. Unreal scenes.
Women’s NRFL Premiership
Friday night saw Auckland United host Hibiscus Coast under lights at Keith Hay Park, first place against last place in the standings. Credit to the Coasties because they were only 1-0 down at the break... however that defensive solidity didn’t last and AUFC ended up winning 5-0 with Chloe Knott scoring a hat-trick (14’, 50’, 64’) while Alexis Cook (66’) and Ava Collins (81’) also contributed to the team’s tally. First goal for Collins since she returned from Denmark. Knott now has eight this year which makes her one of six AUFC players with at least six: Zoe Benson (9), Knott (8), Cook (8), Rene Wasi (7), Ava Pritchard (6), Dani Canham (6).
But United’s championship defence remains in the balance after West Coast Rangers matched them with a win of their own. WCR won 4-1 away against Ellerslie with Shannon Henson scoring twice (9’, 33’ – both penalties) and Minji Yun adding a third before half-time (43’). Lyric Davison’s goal (59’) offered a glimpse of a comeback for the Ponies but ultimately Kailey Short added a fourth for Rangers during stoppages. That maintains the one-point difference between Auckland United (46 points/+58 goal difference) and West Coast Rangers (45 points/+39 goal difference). They’ll each face Eastern Suburbs, Western Springs, and Fencibles in some order for their remaining three fixtures and those are the three teams directly below them so upset potential remains.
On that note, Eastern Suburbs won 1-0 against Western Springs to confirm a top-three finish. Not too shabby for a team that changed coach mid-season... especially since it was Western Springs that poached Katie Duncan away from them. But the Lilywhites haven’t missed a beat under Adam Thurston – having now won eight games in a row, keeping clean sheets in seven of those (the other was a 5-3 win vs WCR). It was American import TJ Anderson who scored the winner after 70 minutes. Ruby Nathan, Anna Leat, and Nicole Mettam also started having all only been signed within the last couple months so this was a different-looking side to what Duncan worked with. Leat has kept three clean sheets in three games for the club – this being easily her toughest task to date. Good to see Marisa van der Meer getting 84 minutes for Springs (playing centre-back).
It’s almost impossible that Western Springs dip out of the top four... but this result combined with a 6-1 win for Fencibles away against Tauranga Moana does leave a mathematical possibility. Fencies are nine points behind and face both Auckland United and West Coast Rangers and even if they win both and also beat Hibiscus Coast next week then they’ll still need Western Springs to lose thrice (admittedly, Springs do face AUFC and WCR). Not only that but they’d need to overturn a 25-goal swing on the GD in the process. That’s not gonna happen. However, the Swans will have to wait at least one more week to confirm their National League spot.
Fencibles scored first against Tauranga when Ayumi Horikoshia struck after 16 minutes... but an equaliser from the penalty spot for Grace Duncan (26’) had things tied at HT. ThenFencies captain Rosie Missen took matters into her own hands (51’) before Horikoshi completed her hat-trick (56’, 66’) and then Hayley Miller grabbed a late brace (73’, 90’) to make it all look rather comfortable in the end. Ayumi Horikoshi is a Japanese import who played in Australia prior to moving here two years ago. She’d only scored once this season before getting stuck into this one. Obviously not a good outcome for Tauranga Moana (apart from Duncan’s fifth goal of the term) but they do remain two points clear of Hibiscus Coast whom they face in two weeks. One way or another, one of those two clubs is getting relegated (with Melville United on the brink of promotion from the Championship).
Men’s Central League
Let’s be different and start at the ground level where there’s a hectic scrap to avoid Central League relegation with the bottom five teams having only been separated by a mere five points entering this round. That’s no longer the case after Petone and Waterside Karori chewed their way towards safety. Petone won 5-0 against Island Bay. Luke Stoupe continues to make a name for himself, scoring a hatty in this match (14’, 48’, 76’ pen). Kieran McMinn (50’) and Hami Paranihi-Nuku (64’) got the other goals. Credit to Golden Boot candidate McMinn for allowing the youngster to take that penalty rather than attempting to close the gap to Martin Bueno on the scoring charts. Bueno didn’t play this round for Miramar Rangers so that was a little karma back in McMinn’s direction. Bueno has 18 goals, McMinn has 16. In third place is Seb Barton-Ginger or Western Suburbs with 12. Should also mention that James Murdoch-Gibbs was red carded for Island Bay with twenty to go... and that Luke Stoupe panenka’d his penalty.
Waterside Karori’s win was a 6-0 dismantling of North Wellington. Goals came from: Luc Saker (8’), Theo McIntosh (32’), Lukas Halikias (39’), Ihaia Delaney (44’), Saker (75’), and Halikias (83’). So doubles for Luc Saker and Lukas Halikias... good day for the Lu’s. The Wharfies need one more point for confirmed safety while Petone are already there thanks to their win. North Wellington are the current occupants of the relegation spot and with their murky goal difference they’ll need to win at least one of their remaining two fixtures to have any chance of catching Upper Hutt City or Island Bay (who are three points and two points ahead, respectively). North Welly are away to the Nix Reserves in two weeks and then close at home against Upper Hutt City.
The next zone of intrigue lies in the duel for the third National League qualifying spot. That’s been between Western Suburbs and Napier City Rovers the entire way... and, folks, it looks like Wests are going to get there. Western Suburbs won 2-0 away against the Wellington Phoenix Reserves. Good time to face the WeeNix given that the first team is not only in preseason mode but were away in Australia for an Aussie Cup game – with several reserves players involved due to injuries to senior players (and promising mahi of their own). The Nix only had 7/13 of the uncontracted players who got minutes against Wrexham.
Young Joe Chalabi started in goal as a 16 year old. Marcus Commisso, Harrison Kowalczyk, and Samuel Law were among the others to be elevated for this game. Wests scored first through former WeeNix winger Kaelin Nguyen (24’) and then unfortunately Dylan Gardiner got sent off late in the first half for some tussling at corner kick time. Looked a bit harsh but you can’t always see everything from the sidedeline camera. There was more frustration when Reilly Marlow-Jones pounced on 52’ after the WeeNix thought they should have had a free kick. But respect to Wests for taking their opportunities. They’re the highest scoring team in the division (ahead of even Wellington Olympic, yes) and will confirm their National League return if they win against Upper Hutt next up.
That’s because Napier City Rovers were unable to match that result away against Miramar Rangers. They began well as Eric Kostandini Ziu scored yet another goal (13’). He’s been an excellent signing for Rovers. But then so has Nicolas Bobadilla for Miramar and it was he who levelled up from the penalty spot on 22’. Owen Smith scored on 45’ to have Rangers leading at the midway stage and then a red card for NCR’s Cameron Emerson (47’) followed by a second goal for Smith (66’) really ruffled things up. Ben Stanley did get one back for Rovers with three minutes of regulation left, ensuring a sweaty finish. But Miramar Rangers held firm. Their National League tickets are booked thanks to this 3-2 victory. Plus this result also keeps the title race alive for another two weeks (Chatham Cup means no MCL games next week).
The other reason the title race isn’t over is that Wellington Olympic missed their chance to clinch when they only drew 1-1 at home against Upper Hutt City. Harry Lamont scored first for UHC (11’), Hamish Watson responded for WO (17’), and then neither team managed anything else. Great effort from Upper Hutt... moving them three points clear of North Wellington with much better goal difference. Thanks to this unexpected point, they can now lose narrowly against North Welly and still stay ahead of them. As for the Greeks, they’ll simply have to park the extending of their Central League dynasty until after their Chatham Cup semi away against Eastern Suburbs.
Women’s Central League
Wellington United only needed to win this week in order to confirm their championship. That’s all, no other ramifications. Win and the trophy was theirs... and win they did. The Diamonds were being held 0-0 at half-time away against Palmerston North Marist before an absolutely incredible second half bonanza led to a 9-0 victory. Nine second half goals, you read that correctly. Natalie Olson scored six of them while a couple of Jemmas got the other three. It went: Olson (52’), Jemma Catherwood (56’), Catherwood again (62’), Jemma Robertson (67’), Olson (75’), Olson (77’), Olson (82’), Olson (85’), Olson (90’). That’s how you celebrate a league championship, aye? Wellington United have now won the Women’s Central League twice in a row and in seven of the past ten seasons. This year they got it done with two games to spare, having won 16/16 with a +82 goal difference. A word like ‘dominant’ doesn’t even do it justice.
Within that extra-dominance is Natalie Olson whose six goals here, remarkably, means she’s scored six hat-tricks this year with this six-for besting the five-bagger she got against PN Marist in the reverse fixture. In other words, there are only five other players in this division with more goals all season than Nat Olson has against PN Marist alone. She also scored five against Waterside Karori in the season opener so this was the third time she’s had such a haul. Natalie Olson has scored 32 goals in 14 WCL matches in 2025 (35 in 17 if you include the KS Cup as well)... almost double the next player on the Golden Boot leaderboard (Pepi Olliver-Bell of Petone with 17 goals, who as you’ll see in a sec scored twice this week). If the Wellington Phoenix scouts aren’t taking a peek then they aren’t doing their jobs. Someone get Bev Priestman on the phone, pronto.
The Diamonds have still got two more games to pad the stats even further, with Hannah Pilley (12 goals), Farina Anchico (8), and Carolyn O’Reilly (7) having also been regular scorers. But don’t overlook that their defence has only conceded five times in 16 matches either. Top to bottom, back to front... this has been the best team in the division by a huge margin.
The second-best team has been the Wellington Phoenix U18s in their first season in this division. They won 3-1 away against Moturoa this week with goals from Kya Solomon (15’), Bridie Jessica Christie (18’), and Anais LeCarpentier (73’) outdoing Anna Hinton’s lone reply from the home side (39’). That’s a rare goal conceded by the WeeNix who’ve only shipped eight in 15 games... but it did them no harm. Bridie Jessica Christie now has seven goals this campaign. Meanwhile, the Wellington Phoenix U20s won 2-1 against Waterside Karori Boys’ U15s with Alyssha Eglinton and Grace Bartlett scoring the goals.
The race for the other National League spot continues after both contenders had four-goal victories. Petone hosted Palmerston North United and won 4-0 thanks to doubles from Pepi Olliver-Bell (16’, 70’) and Chelsea Whittaker (62’, 77’). That game had an 11am kickoff on Saturday so for one brief hour, that put Petone up to third on the ladder. Then Waterside Karori won 6-2 against Miramar Rangers and jumped back two points ahead. They Wharfies were 4-0 up at half-time thanks to Renee Bacon (24’, 42’) and Nicola Ross (28’, 45’) doubles and then Taylor Cooper made it 5-0 after 49 minutes. Rangers threatened to do something crazy when Iris Reweti-Gould scored twice (51’, 66’) but apparently this was a game for doubles so Cooper got her second for WKAFC (82’) and that sealed the deal. Eight goals scored by four different players, each of them striking twice. Very symmetrical... except for the scoreline. Waterside Karori vs Petone takes place next Saturday so jot that one down on the calendar for sure. Petone probably needs to win that given their deficit on the table although the Wharfies do still have to face the WeeNix again.
Waterside Karori (30 points/+24 goal difference):
Petone (H), Victoria University (A), Wellington Phoenix U18s (H)
Petone (28 points/+24 goal difference):
Waterside Karori (A), Taradale (A), Victoria University (H)
And finally there was a 3-2 win for Victoria University against Taradale. Nicole Baird put Vic Uni ahead after 27 minutes before Georgia Gardner doubled the advantage shortly after the break (47’). Then an own goal (62’) followed by a Johanna Nieuwenhuis goal (65’) turn things around in a hurry, only for Georgia Gardner to pocket an 82nd minute winner for VU. That’ll do it. Huge result for the students, only their second win of the season. They’re still in last but they’ve got a game in hand on Moturoa that could save their bacon. Of course, you’ve already seen that they have to play Karori and Petone so next week against Miramar Rangers is basically a must-win for them.
Men’s Southern League
A few days ago, there were three points separating the top three clubs in this division. Now there’s only one point... and the big winners of the round were undoubtedly Cashmere Technical whose 3-0 win away against Ferrymead Bays has launched them from third to first. All of a sudden it’s no longer purely about National League qualification – they might even defend their league title. No shockers as to the goal-scorers: Lyle Matthysen (20’), Yuya Taguchi (39’), and Garbhan Coughlan (81’) were the experienced heads who rose to the occasion. Matthysen now has 14 goals this year, one shy of Golden Boot leader Riku Ichimura of Coastal Spirit.
That result sent Cashy Tech to 34 points. Christchurch United were playing simultaneously (give or take 15 minutes) and would have stayed ahead had they beaten Dunedin City Royals at home. A Joel Stevens goal after 39 minutes might have been enough... though that was always a risky lead on a sodden artificial turf. How sodden? Have a look at that Stevens goal and see what you reckon...
It didn’t help the Rams’ cause when Ben Stroud was sent off with ten to go after dragging back an attacker through on goal. So it was that, nearly five minutes into second half stoppages, DCR substitute Lewis Wall ran onto a ball in behind and CUFC’s keeper slid out but the ball squeezed from his hands and onto the shins of Wall, conveniently rebounding into the net for a freaky equaliser that could alter some Southern League destinies. Christchurch United are still in control thanks to their game in hand. They’d only need a point from that one to go back to the top. It’s getting very frisky though.
Coastal Spirit had a Sunday game so they could sit back and absorb all that action knowing that when they kicked off away against Nelson Suburbs they were playing for first place. Except that they lost 2-0. Nelson Subs didn’t make the Chatham Cup final by accident and they’re a different beast at home where they’re undefeated with six wins and a draw (title race context: Christchurch Utd still have to play away vs Nelson Suburbs). In contrast they’ve only won 1/7 away games. Ben Polak (33’) and Lennon Whewell (48’) scored the goals as the fortress of Saxton Fields was defended once more. Whewell is up to nine for the season. Coastal Spirit thus end the round in third instead of first with their National League plans now relying on dropped points from one of the other scrappers.
Elsewhere there was a desperate 3-3 draw between Universities of Canterbury and Selwyn United which, fitting for a relegation fight, included own goals in each direction. Yuta Takahashi scored twice (3’, 38’) for Selwyn to be 2-0 up at half-time. An own goal then made it 3-0 after 62 minutes. Selwyn haven’t won a game all year but they only needed to avoid conceding three goals in less than thirty minutes to jump above UC and out of the relegation spot. You already know they didn’t do that. Charlie Bayly (67’), Ashton Lay (80’), and a last-minute own goal (90’) earned a share of the spoils for UC who stay two points up on Selwyn with three rounds to go.
Finally, Nomads won 4-1 against Wānaka FC with Flynn Holden scoring twice. It was 0-0 at HT before Holdem (50’) and an own goal (65’) sent Nomads out in front. Edward Belingher halved the deficit on 73’ but late strikes from William Holland (88’) and Holdem (90’) shrugged off the comeback attempt. 17-year-old Holdem is already in his third season with the Nomads first team and continues to score goals. He scored 4 in 10 games in 2023, 8 in 17 games in 2024, and currently has 9 in 9 games this year. And he also represented Canterbury Cricket at the U19s National Championships back in January (scoring 140 runs at an average of 40.0 and strike-rate of 96 in the middle order and taking 4 wickets at 25.75avg/6.1rpo).
Women’s South Island League
Now we say congratulations to Dunedin City Royals whose 3-1 win away against Nelson Suburbs means they’ve won 14 SIL games in a row and have been crowned champions with two weeks to spare. Still got that perfect record to challenge for (as do Wellington United in the WCL) but the trophy is in the cabinet. Toni Power’s goal inside of two minutes could have signalled the procession however Nelson Subs soon replied through Samantha Crawford (10’) – just the fifth goal conceded by DCR this league season – and it wasn’t until 68 minutes gone that Hannah Mackay-Wright whipped one in from the penalty spot to restore that Royals lead. Amy Hislop then got her standard goal on 82’ to signal the celebrations. Extra shout out to DCR captain Kelsey Kennard who made her 250th first team appearance for the club in this championship-clinching victory. It’s just a pity they had to do it at the opposite end of the island... especially since circumstances have conspired so that they don’t play again until August 31 (home vs Cashmere Tech). But they got the important bit done.
Elsewhere, Otago University are now just one win away (with two games left) from sealing second place after winning 2-0 away against Universities of Canterbury. Ashley Geusebroek got the opener just before half-time (44’), teed up by Georgia Nixon after a super through ball from Jemma McCormick in midfield. Nixon also assisted the second goal from McCormick, rushing a quick corner routine with JM’s delivery into the area evading everyone to wind up in the net (56’). Job done.
Not too much to say about Roslyn Wakari and NW United drawing 1-1. Amelia East-Giles gave RWAFC the lead after 13 minutes and then Jade Lewington levelled up for NWU on 45’. Last-placed Halswell had a bye so that allows NW United to move five points clear of relegation. They’ve only got one game left and can still be caught if Halswell go three outta three with their remaining matches... but remember this is a Halswell team that’s lost their last four games by a combined score of 26-1. Probably not worth worrying about.
We also had a fascinating game between Coastal Spirit and in-form Cashmere Technical to very likely decide which of these former champions will finish third and which will finish fourth. No Annalie Longo for Tech on this occasion but they did have Lara Wall and they did have Rebecca Lake and they also had Jemma Wilson who dashed through to give them the lead after only two and a half minutes. A very sharp goal from Britney Lee-Nicholson made it 1-1 after 40 minutes... only for Wilson to score twice more in quick succession (43’, 44’) to make it a hatty. Katie Harris then scored another on 82’, flipping her shot high over the keeper after Lara Wall had chipped a pass over the top for her. Ten goals this season for Harris. 4-1 to Cashmere Technical, avenging the 3-0 defeat they suffered to Coastal Spirit back in May.
Tech have won five SIL games in a row whilst scoring 35 times and conceding just twice. They’ve got a Kate Sheppard Cup semi away against the Wellington Phoenix Reserves next week and their game against Dunedin City Royals at the end of the month shapes as the most likely threat to DCR’s perfect league campaign. That match is also likely to include large chunks of the Southern United and Canterbury United squads for the National League.
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