Aotearoa Domestic Football Roundup – August 25
Men’s Northern League
This wonky year for Auckland City Football Club continues to swerve all over the place. One minute they’re losing 10-0 to Bayern Munich, the next they’re getting a draw against Boca Juniors. One minute they’re at risk of tumbling out of National League qualification, the next they’re right back in the hunt after some late goal heroics. Then some more time elapses and they’re in trouble again. ACFC had two games this week, beginning with a Wednesday nighter at the Croatian Cultural Club where they hosted Eastern Suburbs. Christian Gray – the central defender who has scored several crucial goals this year – popped up to put the Navy Blues ahead after ten minutes. Jake Mechell would later tie the game up on 60’... only for Myer Bevan to score two minutes later to return Auckland City to the lead. And they held that lead for a 2-1 victory.
What that did, was it launched Auckland City up into a three-way tie for third place with Auckland United and Eastern Suburbs prior to the weekend’s fixtures. Eastern Suburbs were the ones with the short straw, sitting fifth on goal difference, but it looked like they’d more than make up for that when two more Jake Mechell goals (42’, 45’) had them leading 2-0 against leaders Western Springs deep into their match at Madills on Saturday. You can probably tell by the guarded language there that a twist was to follow though. With five minutes to go, a lunging tackle by Jackson Jarvie conceded a penalty which Reid Drake stepped up and buried. Springs were back in it, heaps of injury time to go. Suburbs scrapped their way through most of that only to concede a bit of a comical goal in the ninth additional minute. It was credited to Oscar Browne though there was a keeper fumble and a hacked clearance on the line that should have prevented it. 2-2 final score. What do ya know, even more decisive late goals in a game involving Western Springs.
Coming back to snatch a point after being 2-0 down after 85 minutes could prove to be some championship credential stuff for the Swans. But not if Birkenhead United took advantage by winning away to Auckland FC Reserves. This game happened simultaneous to the Springs game so after an own goal put AFC ahead after 12 minutes (a big deflection off a long strike from Codey Phoenix), both major title contenders were losing at half-time. Kian Donkers would do something about that on 55’ with a near-accidental leveller – an off-target volley from a teammate struck him as he tried to duck out of the way and then ricocheted into the net. AFC reclaimed the lead when a super through ball from James Mitchell put Ralph Rutherford through to score after 72 minutes, hence it was up to Alex Connor-McClean to sneak in another Birko equaliser on 83’ for a 2-2 draw. Exact same result as Western Springs which maintains the one-point gap between the two heading into the final round. The Swans will lift the trophy if they win... but Birko have the superior goal difference so if they better the Springs result then it’s theirs instead. Western Springs face Auckland United while Birkenhead face Eastern Suburbs. Both of those opponents need points to get into the top four. Any combination of results is possible.
That’s because 2-2 was the score du jour in this division. It was Eastern Suburbs 2-2 Western Springs. It was Auckland FC 2-2 Birkenhead. And it was Auckland United 2-2 Auckland City in the Dominion Road Derby. Either team could have taken a huge step towards Natty League footy with a victory and at half-time it seemed that Auckland City would do exactly that, building off their midweek win by taking a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Gerard Garriga (15’) and Jerson Lagos (23’) – the latter direct from a corner kick. Yet goals from Matt Conroy (55’) and Daniel Atkinson (67’) turned it back around and Auckland United were unlucky not to win it with some of the late chances they created... very much a game of two halves. Bottom line is that each of the top five teams were involved in 2-2 draws which means that the teams ranked 3-5 are still all level on points. It also means that only Western Springs and Birkenhead United remain in title contention. Auckland City had won all three previous Northern Leagues so we’re officially getting a new champion.
Don’t discount East Coast Bays from the top four hunt either. Their 1-0 win against West Coast Rangers, courtesy of a goal from (of course) Guy-Frank Essome-Penda after 66 minutes, has them just one point behind National League qualification thanks to all those draws above them. They face Auckland City next week at Kiwitea Street where they will need to win to stay in contention... but if they do win then there’s a very good chance that they make it, since AUFC and ESAFC are both playing teams above them. Alas, this defeat has relegated West Coast Rangers, who had Kingston Hansell red carded after an hour while it was still scoreless.
Fencibles are safe though. They won 1-0 against Bay Olympic with Dylan Laing-McConnell scoring the goal. It’s been a tough season for them following promotion but they’ve gotten the job done with a week to spare. Meanwhile, Manurewa AFC have also been relegated following a dramatic 3-3 draw against Tauranga AFC. Morgan Wellsbury gave his Golden Boot hunt a boost with two first half goals (25’, 45’), taking him to a league-leading 14 for the year, but Evan Daniel Paez matched that feat in the second stanza (48’, 72’) to tie things back up. Keen Mandizvizda then scored for Rewa on 90+4’ with a goal that would have drawn them level on points with Fencibles prior to the Fencies kickoff. As it happens, that Fencies win meant that nothing Rewa did was going to do anything but mathematically delay the inevitable. All the same, it would’ve stung to see Adam Davidson sneak a 90+6th minute equaliser for Tauranga City. South Auckland will still be represented in the Northern League next season because Manukau United have earned promotion from the Championship. They’ll be joined by one of Hamilton Wanderers, Melville United, Northern Rovers, or Cambridge depending on what happens next week.
Women’s NRFL Premiership
Last week, Auckland United became the first club in history to qualify for the Chatham Cup and Kate Sheppard Cup finals in the same year. Eastern Suburbs were also trying to do the same thing... except they lost both semi-finals: beaten by Wellington Olympic on penalties in the CC and going down 1-0 against Auckland United in the KSC. Those teams met again a few days later in the league and, what do you know, Eastern Suburbs turned them over with a 3-1 victory.
Eastern Suburbs only made one change from the cup game four days prior (Madeleine Dwyer in for Cema Nasau). Auckland United made three, one of which was an absent Pia Vlok after she went off injured after about twenty minutes of the cup game... and they’d lose Saskia Vosper to injury at around the same point of this match too, unfortunately. By then they were already down 1-0 after an Ella Findlay goal (14’). That lead remained beyond half-time but Tui Dugan would draw AUFC level after 55 mins and shortly afterwards they could have taken the lead when they awarded a penalty. Could have... if there was a different goalkeeper. Anna Leat’s not worn the gloves a whole lot this year but apparently saving penalties is like riding a bike to her. She first came to prominence by scoring in a penalty shootout at the U17 World Cup. She once saved four spot kicks on debut for Aston Villa in a shootout against Manchester United. This is what she does...
Can’t tell from the video who took the kick, might have been Ava Collins (apologies if it wasn’t... and apologies if it was). That would have put AUFC up 2-1. Instead it was Ruby Nathan who finished one off for the Lilywhites (65’) before Vicky Neuefeind (72’) added a long range screamer for Eastern Suburbs to win 3-1 and shake up the title race. This left Suburbs only five points adrift themselves... though the real buzz was for West Coast Rangers who got to stay level on points with AUFC. There’s still a 17-goal advantage that AUFC holds over WCR so if both teams win out then it’ll be United that takes the trophy home. But this removed any margin for error that they had with two rounds remaining.
Aaaand then that margin for error returned when West Coast Rangers could only draw 2-2 with Fencibles the two evenings later. They were 2-0 up after Shannon Henson (8’) scored goal number 18 of her campaign and then an own goal (33’) put them in the box seat... only for Hayley Miller to have other ideas with a brace (53’, 63’ pen) that’ll make her a fan favourite in East and Central Auckland. Not so much out west though.
Meanwhile, Auckland United hosted Western Springs on Saturday and despite conceding to a Liz Savage goal inside of three minutes, they soon slapped back to cruise to a commanding 4-1 victory. Goals from Zoe Benson (16’), Alexis Cook (31’), Greer Macintosh (34’), and then Zoe Benson again (54’ pen) did the trick. With that, Auckland United move two points clear again like nothing ever happened. They’re away to Fencibles next week where even a draw will be enough to defend their title, assuming that West Coast Rangers don’t beat Eastern Suburbs by 20 goals. WCR have been awesome but consecutive draws (against Western Springs and Fencibles) may have spoiled the chase. Goes to show how close to flawless you’ve gotta be to become league champions.
Eastern Suburbs made it a magical week for their team by smashing Ellerslie 8-2 on Sunday at Michaels Ave. Ella Findlay (16’) and Ruby Nathan (17’) got them started to repeat their midweek profits. Maddi Ollington closed the gap for the Ponies on 32’ but Cema Nasau (39’) and Ruby Nathan (40’) were quick to reply to have it at 4-1 as the whistle blew for half-time. Tayla O’Brien came off the bench to score her first goal in ages on 68’, cool milestone for her. Then Vicky Neuefeind grabbed a quickfire double (71’ pen, 75’) before Ruby Nathan completed her hat-trick (81’). Keisha Small salvaged some small consolation for Ellerslie near the end (86’). Shannon Henson is almost certainly winning golden boot with her 18 strikes but Ollington (15) and Neuefeind (13) have both had amazing seasons too. Lovely to see Ruby Nathan cashing in as well.
Which brings us to the most important game of the week: Tauranga Moana vs Hibiscus Coast. If Tauranga won, they’d secure their spot in the top division for another year at HC’s expense. If the Coasties won, they’d go ahead of Tauranga on goal difference with a more favourable final fixture ahead.
It was Hibiscus Coast who struck first, taking a very quick lead through Miya Stott in just the third minute. The 16yo (who was part of NZ U17 ID camps earlier in the year) showed good pace to keep up with a bursting Paige Satchell who very unselfishly squared to the youngster for the open finish. Fantastic stuff. But Tauranga Moana soon settled down and goals from Grace Duncan (23’ pen) and Miah Smith (38’) had them leading before too long – Smith’s being an Olimpico. Duncan would score again from the penalty spot (67’) and that was enough for a 3-1 victory which relegates Hibiscus Coast but ensures that Tauranga Moana will hang about at this level for at least another year.
Great work from Moana after a rude introduction to the NRFL saw them lose their first nine games including heavy some very dismantlings (9-0 vs Auckland Utd, 7-0 vs West Coast Rangers, 5-0 vs Eastern Suburbs, and 9-1 vs Western Springs). They’ve got a young squad that grew into the season and eventually found their belief. Grace Duncan’s seven goals have certainly helped. Melville United have already been promoted so Tauranga won’t be the only non-Auckland team in 2026.
Men’s Central League
Miramar Rangers kicked off against Waterside Karori roughly an hour before the Wellington Olympic game. That meant their job was to put points on the board, in order to keep the title race alive, and then hope for some kind of unlikely hiccup from the Greeks. Well, Miramar did their bit. They were completely dominant against a Wharfies team with nothing left to play for. Goals from Tim Fenton (9’) and Nicolas Bobadilla (12’) had them two up in a hurry. Xavier Coleman then scored on either side of the break (45’, 53’) to really stretch it out... and they weren’t done there. Owen Smith (63’) and Sam Gates (66’) got in on the action before Savio Diego Concession pulled one back for Karori (83’) to make it 6-1. Then Martin Bueno scored from the penalty spot (85’) and Spencer Cameron added another in stoppage time. 8-1 final score. Bueno came off the bench hence why he wasn’t more prolific but that spot kick did still give him his 19th of the campaign, keeping him two ahead of Kieran McMinn of Petone heading into the last round.
But that’s all that Rangers will have to aim for in that last round because even by the time their match ended, it was already clear that Wellington Olympic would be lifting the championship that afternoon. Goals from Hamish Watson (9’), Tor Davenport-Petersen (13’), Isa Prins (34’), Gavin Hoy (36’), and an own goal (43’) had them 5-0 up at half-time away against Island Bay United. That was the way it finished, having done what they needed to do and then some in the initial 45 mins. For the fifth season in a row, Wellington Olympic are the champions of the Men’s Central League. Too good yet again.
There was also a handy 3-0 win for Western Suburbs away against Upper Hutt City. Took Wests a while to get over the line but eventually Cameron MacKenzie (63’), Kaelin Nguyen (66’ pen), and Tyler Freeman (90’) scored the goals they needed to confirm their National League presence in 2025. They can’t be caught, not even after Napier City Rovers won big against Petone at Bluewater Stadium. Mason Johnson (4’), Adam Hewson (26’, 28’), and Sam Lack (37’) all hit the back of the net to have Rovers leading 4-0 at the mid-point. Stephen Hoyle then added a fifth on 57’. Kieran McMinn got his obligatory goal from the penalty spot for Petone (70’) but that still left a 5-1 margin of victory for Napier City. Alas, there will be no National League for NCR this year, snapping a three-year run. Considering the Hawke’s Bay United presence in the former version of the National League, this will be a very rare instance with no team from that region in the season’s main event. The South Central Series year is the only other such occurrence in recent times. Rovers have had a couple of messy results along the way but credit for that mostly lies with a resurgent season from Miramar Rangers to overhaul them, as well as a strong campaign from this restocked Western Suburbs squad.
Those four results also had consequences down the other end of the ladder, with the teams ranked 6-9 all losing heavily. For Petone and Waterside Karori, that didn’t matter. They can’t be caught and will definitely remain in the Central League next year. The others will be looking over their shoulders though. Particularly after North Wellington kept it funky with a 2-2 draw away against the Wellington Phoenix Reserves. Ryan Watson (12’) and Anaru Cassidy (25’) had the WeeNix leading for most of the game but then Fletcher Pratt, a former Nix Academy dude, scored after 78 minutes and then Benji Holden delivered the 88th minute equaliser that doesn’t raise North Wellington out of last place but it does give them some momentum heading into the final round where they face Upper Hutt City.
North Wellington will be safe if they win and they’ll be relegated if they don’t (unless Island Bay lose by six goals more against Wests). Upper Hutt City can lose and still be safe as long as Island Bay also lose. One of those three clubs is going down... and FC Western of New Plymouth will be taking that place having just confirmed their promotion by lifting the Central League 2 trophy. Brilliant to see another club from outside the wider Wellington region climb up in the Men’s Central League.
Women’s Central League
With Wellington United having played last week while everyone else was busy watching cup football, they got to rest up and enjoy the way the light reflects off their winners’ medals before they attempt to make it a perfect 18/18 wins next week away against Miramar Rangers. That left two areas of intrigue from the other games: the scrap between Petone and Waterside Karori for National League qualification, and the multi-team jam that is the relegation battle.
Waterside Karori were away against last-placed Victoria University in a game that spanned both of those interests. This was on Saturday and Petone didn’t play until Sunday hence it was an opportunity to put points on the board and jump ahead of their rivals... which they dutifully did. Renee Bacon’s goal inside the first minute had the Wharfies leading almost the entire rest of the way. Almost... because it wasn’t until the last twenty that they actually pulled clear. In fact, Adele Lonergan briefly tied the game at 1-1 (52’) only for Bacon to reply instantly and then came the flurry courtesy of an own goal (71’), Isabella Ismail-Sanders (73’), Taylor Cooper (84’), and then a third for Renee Bacon (89’) to complete a 6-2 win for the Wharfies. Not good for the prospects of Vic Uni given that they face Petone next week. If they do anything other than win that game then they’ll be relegated.
And Petone won’t be going easy on them. They still need to clinch third place ahead of Karori with one more win, though they are in the box seat thanks to a 2-0 victory away against Taradale. This was a tough trip for them but goals late in each half saw them through. Pepi Olliver-Bell (39’) and Sam Hatchwell (85’). Petone lead Waterside Karori by one point heading into the final round. The Wharfies have by far the more difficult task though, facing the Wellington Phoenix U18s and their stingy defence.
The WeeNix U18s won 5-0 against Miramar Rangers thanks to a hatty from Bridie Jessica Christie (18’, 33’, 44’). Anahera Easton (8’) and Ruby Barber (87’) got the other goals. This was a slightly rotated WeeNix team without the likes of Katie Pugh, Mackenzie Bryant, Holly Robins, and Maisy McDonald (probably a couple of others too) who’ll be gearing up for U20s stuff at this stage. Pugh scored for the U20s this week in a 3-3 draw with Miramar Rangers U15 Boys. One fascinating name who debuted off the bench: Katie Chellenbron. She’s come over from the MK Dons academy over in England after representing Aotearoa at the U17 World Cup last year alongside several current Phoenix players. Bridie Jessica Christie now has 10 goals this season, meeting Katie Pugh (13) in the double figures club. Pugh deservedly gets a fair bit of buzz but clearly BJC needs some recognition too.
And then we also had Palmerston North Marist winning 4-2 against Palmerston North United in the Palmy Derby. Anna Holroyd scored first for United (11’) but Charlotte Noakes (38’) made it was 1-1 at the break. Marist then took the lead through Marina Ishimoto (63’) and Chardonnay Ross-Elvin (66’) promptly extended that lead. Jorja Horn (69’) made it 3-2 to get United back in the chase... only for Hannah Marginson to clinch it at the end (90’). Palmy United aren’t technically safe yet... although they will be if they avoid defeat against Moturoa next week. And if Vic Uni loses, as expected, then both Mot and PNU will be safe.
Men’s Southern League
Not so long ago, Christchurch United held the advantage in a ferocious Southern League title race. One point separated the top three teams but the Rams had a game in hand. But that’s no longer the case. Christchurch United needed a very late penalty equaliser to get a 2-2 draw with Cashmere Technical last week and this time around they were beaten 2-0 at home by Coastal Spirit... there goes that advantage. Riku Ichimura (73’) and Liam Cotter (82’) scored the decisive goals to put Coastal in a position where they’ll lift the trophy if they win their last fixture. Both goals came from Ichimura free kicks in similar positions. The first was smashed into the top corner. The second was hit low and was saved but converted on the follow up.
Ben Stroud was sent off for Christchurch Utd in between those two goals. Very close game. Very feisty game with lots of cards shown. But Coastal found the big moments. The Rams aren’t out of the hunt quite yet because they do have a game in hand so if they win both matches and Coastal and Cashmere each fail to win theirs then that’ll do it. As it stands though, not only have the Rams stumbled in the title race but they won’t be qualifying for the National League either.
Cashmere Technical did what they could by winning 4-0 away against Universities of Canterbury. Yusf Van Dam got them started on 15’ and then a double from Garbhan Coughlan (21’ pen, 30’) allowed them to manage things even after Lachie McIsaac was red carded after only 33 minutes. They even added to their lead whilst at ten men thanks to an own goal on 62’. Plus those two goals from Coughlan bring him within one of golden boot leader Ichimura (Coastal). RI has 16 goals, GC has 15 goals. Lyle Matthysen of Cashy Tech is also within range on 14 goals. This is how the title race sits heading into the final round:
Coastal Spirit (39 points/+33 goal diff): Home vs Universities of Canterbury
Cashmere Technical (38 points/+30 goal diff): Home vs Dunedin City Royals
Christchurch United (34 points/+42 goal diff): Away vs Wānaka, Away to Nelson Suburbs
The Nelson Subs vs Chch Utd game hasn’t been rescheduled yet – probably because Nelson Subs also have to find room to face Wānaka. It’s possible they might not even play it if results next week make the outcome irrelevant, who knows?
Dunedin City Royals won 3-1 against Selwyn United. Tom Milton’s penalty (11’) was followed by a Jack Julian goal after 25 mins. Finlay Cotton closed the gap just before the break (45’) but Cato Williams later sealed the deal for DCR (71’). That keeps Selwyn winless after 17 matches and yet they could still miraculously stay up if they break the duck at home against Nelson Suburbs on Sunday. There was also a 2-1 win for Ferrymead Bays (Oliver McCosh 30’, Treye Butler 79’ pen) against Wānaka (Edward Bell 40’) while Nelson Suburbs blew a 2-0 lead after half an hour (Dauntae Mariner 22’, Trevin Myers 28’) to draw 2-2 at home against Nomads United. Cody Johnson scored on 86’ and then Guy Reeves levelled up in added time. What a comeback.
Women’s South Island League
Dunedin City Royals had already won the South Island League – breaking up the Christchurch dominance by becoming the first team outside that city to lift the trophy, something that still hasn’t happened in the Men’s Southern League. Next step is to win their last two games to complete a perfect season... but that’ll have to wait because they didn’t have a game this round. Neither did NW United or Universities of Canterbury.
Coastal Spirit did have a game. They faced Halswell United on the road, still hoping to finish as high as third, with Halswell needing points to find any last glimpse of hope at avoiding relegation. Realistically... that’s already been forecast because Halswell have been losing heavily most weeks and this was the worst of the lot. Coastal put thirteen goals past them, no kidding. Britney-Lee Nicholson scored five of them and Margi Dias also got a hat-trick. 13-0 was the score. The goal sequence went: Laura Newman (1’), Dias (4’), Nicholson (9’), Newman (12’), Sophie Hawkins (30’), Samantha Whyte (36’), Nicholson (44’), Nicholson (57’), own goal (69’), Dias (78’), Nicholson (79’), Dias (81’), Nicholson (87’). Halswell aren’t officially down yet as they only trail NW United by five points with two games left. But let’s be honest. Nicholson and Dias are both up to 13 goals for the season, sharing second place behind Amy Hislop (DCR) who has 16.
Elsewhere, Roslyn Wakari polished off their season a little earlier than everyone else and they did so in an undesirable manner. RW were up 1-0 at the break after a goal from Isla Smith (21’). But Abigail Platt levelled up for Nelson Suburbs after 58 minutes and then Sola Tsuruta won it for the visitors with a last-minute penalty kick. 2-1 to Nelson Subs. That leaves Roslyn Wakari to finish either in sixth or seventh place, depending on whether Suburbs can sneak another point from their remaining two games to slide above them.
There was also a 2-0 win for Cashmere Technical against Otago University. No Annalie Longo on the teamsheet for Tech but they did have Rebecca Lake and Lara Wall and guess who scored the goals? Lake on 41’, Wall on 65’. Otago Uni will need to win their last game (away vs Nelson Suburbs) to make sure they hold onto second place ahead of this rampant Tech side. Cashmere Tech can’t win anything, having also been knocked out at the Kate Sheppard Cup semi-final stage last week by the Wellington Phoenix U20s, but they do face Dunedin City Royals next week in by far the biggest threat to DCR’s perfect league season (considering the Royals then face Halswell in their last match). If they want to be the spoilers, and give their Canterbury United players some bragging rights against a team full of Southern United cohorts, then that’s as good an opportunity as any.
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