2026 Women’s National League – Week 6
Canterbury United vs Wellington United
It’s been a rocky road for Canterbury United in this their last ever season, a federation team remembered for their championship dynasty through the 2010s but which, after a 1-0 defeat to Otago University last week, look like they might be going out with a whimper and a wooden spoon. Four defeats from four and the only encouraging aspect of their remaining fixtures is that 3/4 of them are home games. Including this one, at English Park, against a visiting Wellington United side that had won three on the trot. Two changes for the Diamonds after the derby win vs Karori: Olivia Gibbs got a start in the midfield, her first of the campaign after coming off the bench in every other match (Gibbs is a loanee from Petone), while Louisa Egley-Turner got a go in defence fresh back from the U17 World Cup. The Pride recalled Ruby Dixon and Shiloh Jenkins to their backline along with Petra Buyck a little further up the formation.
Those were improvements for the Cantabs but this was not a favourable match-up for them. Didn’t take long before Dixon had cleared one off the line after Farina Anchico had flicked a touch past goalkeeper Amelia Simmers. They escaped that danger but soon after a soft touch from Dixon across the defensive line was intercepted by Rose Morton and from there the Diamonds showed what they do so well, breaking at pace with Hannah Pilley picking out Maddie O’Farrell at the back post. Her shot was saved by Simmers only for Ela Jerez to jump on the rebound and there was the breakthrough in the eleventh minute.
But the thing about the Pride is that nobody has chopped them up yet. Auckland United scored four past them but they held out for most of the first half. The Cantabs had only conceded 10 goals in those four defeats which for a team that’s been losing every week actually isn’t that bad. Whenever the Diamonds hit their diagonals they found space out wide, with Farina Anchico always a willing runner, yet they weren’t able to make the most those instances. Jerez was getting into great pockets. Gibbs was excellent in the middle both wining the ball and distributing it. But the Cantabs have got an in-form goalkeeper and the ability to sit compact and guard their penalty area so United needed to be patient – and a wee bit sharper – in search of that second goal.
The Pride had an injury scare when Olivia Woollett needed treatment midway through the first half. She was able to continue but Jenkins only lasted 27 mins before she had to be replaced in the other fullback position. Mac Michael was subbed on at half-time in an attacking move... then Livia Deane and Sophie Hawkins were brought on after 49 minutes (for Woollett and Ishimoto). So very early in the second half, Canterbury had already used four of their five subs (Hannah McKenzie would get the last twenty mins). They’d pretty much played their hand already. Could they work the old smash-and-grab routine?
Alas, no. The defensive stand was broken in very gentle fashion as a deep free kick from Sarah Alder caught the knee of a defender and diverted into the net for an own goal. Quality delivery but there wasn’t a whole lot of stress on the end of it, another avoidable goal (admittedly caused by the persistence of WU). Having gone two up, the Diamonds opted to hit the chill button and roll some subs of their own by giving Jerez, Anchico, and O’Farrell some extended rest.
However that was no respite because one of those replacements was Pepi Olliver-Bell and, would ya believe it, POB’s first involvement was to rush the last defender and block an attempted clearance. Simmers made a bunch of 1v1 saves last week but she wasn’t fast enough to get to the loose ball before POB, who smartly chopped past her on the inside and then slotted into the empty net. Not much else to say after that, other than that Alder’s set pieces had been causing havoc all game... usually from the swirling aerial deliveries but she sparked a fourth goal when she played quick and flat along the byline for Florin Wagner, whose shot was blocked but rebounded to Olliver-Bell and therefore she had her second of the day.
Four in the bag for Wellington United. At times they were a bit messy in the final third but they scored early and bossed the whole way. Could have been more if United didn’t substitute a few of their most dangerous players very early, although a brace off the bench for Olliver-Bell meant they didn’t entirely ease up. Good from her fellow Petone player Olivia Gibbs too, while she was out there. And a quality performance from young Louisa Egley-Turner in the centre of the back three, particularly first half when there was a bit more to do. Didn’t look like a sixteen year old out there, that’s for sure.
Welly Utd almost took a point off Auckland United in their first game and have steadily churned out four straight wins since then. It’ll be a tremendous game next week when they host Eastern Suburbs, they’ve both already lost to AUFC and there’s only room for one of them to get a second crack at them in the grand final. As for the Pride, they’ve got Karori (H), Suburbs (A), and WCR (H) to follow... doubtful they can win any of those but maybe they’ll at least score a couple goals?
Canterbury United 0-4 Wellington United
11’ | 0-1 | WU | Jerez
53’ | 0-2 | WU | Own Goal (Alder)
58’ | 0-3 | WU | Olliver-Bell
75’ | 0-4 | WU | Olliver-Bell
Eastern Suburbs vs Otago University
It was an awesome occasion seeing Otago Uni get that first National League win last week but kicking on from it was always going to be a challenge with an away trip to Madills Farm for their afterparty. Especially since that game happened to clash with university exams, meaning that there were only four players in common from the win vs Canterbury Utd and this meeting with Eastern Suburbs: Lauren Paterson, Lili Clouston-Cain, Ruby Burgess, and Hannah Barclay. Of those four, only LCC an Otago Uni player during the winter season. Less than ideal to have to make seven changes to a winning side though at least they still had their goal scorer from that game, Ruby Burgess, who at 15yo is too young to have to worry about uni exams.
Eastern Suburbs made two alterations from the 5-0 win against Fencies midweek with Emily Pilbrow in at fullback and Anna McPhie getting a run in midfield. It took less than thirty seconds for Erika Skindlov to test Lauren Paterson’s hands with the first shot of the arvo (probably would have been a goal had it been Ella McCann in that situation - she’s the WNL specialist for rapid assault goals within the opening few minutes). But you know how it is. Even with a completely changed back four, Otago Uni can still make it tough – as they’ve done for long portions of every game thus far... just usually not for ninety minutes. Suburbs had to be prepared to stay patient in this kinda match-up and the goals would come eventually.
Sure... either that or wait until a half-clearance falls for Anna McPhie to blast it bottom corner. Not sure if there’s another player in the National League with a ratio of banger goals to compare to McPhie. This wasn’t even her best one from this game but we’ll get to that. Five minutes later, another one of those Suburbs raids fell apart when the defence managed to scramble... only for the loose ball to go straight to Ella McCann who wasn’t going to miss with only the goalie to beat, not in the form she’s been in. That’s a sixth goal in five appearance for McCann as a Lilywhite.
Skindlov was unable to finish off an assist from Ollington from six yards. Then Ollington herself headed over the top, while McCann poked wide as the ball dropped for her off a corner. Paterson made a very good stop as McCann rounded into the area on the dribble. Ollington lifted one high. Point being that Eastern Suburbs were a long way off from the ruthless they had shown against Fencies. Perhaps tired after playing a few days earlier. Perhaps aware that this was a fixture where they could afford to keep something in the tank. It was also very windy out there which can play silly buggers with a game of football.
Eastern Subs chucked Kenya Brooke on for the second half and she probably should have scored at the back post with her first touch. They also brought on Lucie Sudoma in the midfield, one of the many exciting prospects at the club getting some big minutes in her third consecutive substitute appearance. Not sure exactly how old she is but she was playing NRF U15s futsal last year so probably a similar age bracket to Ruby Burgess on the other side. Always gotta pay attention to which youngsters are getting consistent senior game time, it’s often the most reliable clue about which prospects to watch out for.
Anyway, the trees stood proudly in the background while the clouds passed slowly across a pale blue skyline. The sun hovered high above the field so as to barely cast a shadow and the corner flags wobbled gently (and sometimes not so gently) in the breeze. The game continued. Otago Uni kept scrapping, kept putting in the work. Eastern Suburbs kept scuffing chances... right up until Anna McPhie decided enough was enough and she pinged one in from 25 metres away. Outrageous goal. Jess Shilton would nod home a close-range fourth with literally the last action of the game, rising up for a Yukino Nishizono corner kick, long after both teams had cleared their benches (including substitute goalie Megan Waayer getting to don the gloves for Varsity).
Aside from Anna McPhie, this was the kind of performance that might have annoyed Suburbs coach Adam Thurston despite the 4-0 scoreline. They coasted through long spells after going two up, and were wasteful throughout. Not a lot of ruthless spirit on show... but lucky for Coach Thurston he saw plenty of that a few days earlier against Fencies so nothing to worry about. Lucie Sudoma put herself about too, an encouraging cameo from her. Good shift under the circumstances for Otago Uni for whom Ruby Burgess continues to impress while the likes of Reese Palmer and Isla Ganley were very solid. ‘Twas a routine game of football though. Otago Uni lost by 3+ goals without scoring for the fifth time in six matches. Eastern Suburbs won by 3+ goals with a clean sheet for the fourth time in five games. Could have set your watch to that one.
Eastern Suburbs 4-0 Otago University
15’ | 1-0 | ES | McPhie
20’ | 2- 0 | ES | McCann
79’ | 3-0 | ES | McPhie (Martin)
90+1’ | 4-0 | ES | Shilton (Nishizono)
West Coast Rangers vs Fencibles United
Two familiar rivals, having faced each other three times already during the NRFL Premiership. Westies against the Easties. West Coast Rangers had only played three games compared to five for Fencibles prior to this meeting on account of the rescheduled game vs Auckland United (to be played Thursday night) leading into their bye. Haven’t seen them since week three of the season when they beat the WeeNix 2-0 although that break in the schedule wasn’t long enough to get captain Marissa Porteous back to fitness, so that was their only change with Taylor Vujnovich into the starters and Dani Canham dropping deeper. Might have been nice if they still had American fullback Saige Thor in their ranks but nah she switched to Fencibles a few months ago.
Thor was in the starting line-up for Fencies. As were Micaela Besley and Mila Clarke after returning from the U17 World Cup where they each started all three games (as did their Fencibles teammate Eden Chaytor who was on the bench). This was a WNL debut for Clarke, while Besley played in week one. Clarke’s presence meant that captain Rosie Missen didn’t have to play defence this week... so instead she played striker. No Mihiro Kisu or Tineke De Jong hence it was Missen and Natalie Young who operated up top (with Sienna Makwana and Hayley Miller out wide). Missen has played midfield, she’s played defence, she’s played striker, and she even filled in as emergency goalkeeper one game. She’s like the spine of this team all by herself.
There was a decent chance for Missen right away but she couldn’t outpace the last defender. Nevertheless, there’d be more where that came from within a very bright start from Fencies. They were knocking the ball around and accessing space in behind. Makwana had a lot to do with that – it almost lined up for her to score an opener when Lorna Selby missed the ball under her foot... but Selby recovered with a superb sliding block. And it kept on like that. Definitely some ring rust from Rangers after a couple weeks off. Problem for Fencies was that they weren’t putting anything in the net. A lovely counter between Miller and Young ended with Young slicing a shot straight at Jo Peel. She was furious at herself for missing but that’s the risk of having midfielders in the striker positions. Then again, Miller missed a similar chance after a killer switch from Young so it went both ways. The main threat Rangers had in the first half was their shooting from distance. Not exactly high percentage stuff although Emily Lyon did rip one off the post at one stage, a few centimetres away from a stunner of a goal.
Fencibles figured it out after the break and scored twice to make up for the previous profligacy. First was a Rosie Missen header from a Makwana corner. The contact was quite far out but nobody was able to stop the trajectory of ball to net. Missen with a goal to mark her stint as a striker, albeit a header from a set piece is exactly how you’d expect a defender or defensive midfielder to score. That much at least was still playing to type.
Only took a couple minutes from the resumption for that goal and it didn’t take long before they’d done it again. Millee Loxton almost put her name in lights with a long-range strike that clipped the crossbar on the way over, not too dissimilar to that Lyon attempt in the first half for WCR. That one didn’t stick but Hayley Miller’s next effort did. Having had some time to think about how to finish those ones running through, Miller brilliantly rolled her marker by collecting Grace Eng’s pinpoint pass on the spin and then converted her shot for a lovely goal. Jo Peel did get a big hand to it so not a perfect finish but it ended up where it needed to be. 2-0 to Fencies after a blistering ten-minute sequence to begin the second half.
It was at that stage that Fencibles made a double change, including Rosie Missen taking an early rest (along with Besley). Morgan Day and Eden Chaytor were the replacements so clearly Simon Motie was trying to get his prodigious young talent plenty of minutes... risky one taking off the captain though. Perhaps she had a niggle. Fencies kept up the good work irrespective of that and went close with a few more scrambly instances before going even closer with a Grace Eng shot that dipped and curled and caught the underside of the bar but never crossed the line.
A third goal at that point would surely have iced matters. Without it the door was still open, even if Rangers had done next to nothing in the second half to suggest a comeback was imminent. Nothing until Emily Lyon collected a return pass backheel from Shannon Henson and finished with conviction, a beauty of a goal to swing the momentum. Two minutes later, Lyon’s hold-up and switch got Dani Canham into a promising position and she blasted home an amazing equaliser off the crossbar. Both teams had threatened a goal of that quality from distance yet Canham was the one who delivered on the promise and in the blink of an eye everything had changed.
From there it was probably inevitable that Rangers would grab a winner. It took until the 88th minute but they did it. Sienna Higinbotham with a cheeky flipper behind the defensive line and once again Emily Lyon did what the great strikers do by finishing with such emphasis that you couldn’t even imagine her missing it.
What an astonishing comeback. They were on the ropes at 2-0 down with the clock already into the seventies and going nowhere and next thing you knew they’d won the damn game. Gotta say that Fencibles did play into their hands with their inability to put things to bed, considering the chances they missed along the way, and also with a line-up and sub rotation that suggested they’re not going to chase results at the expense of the development of their youth products. In fairness, most of those young players are playing on merit – they helped qualify this team for National League in the first place. And it’s also fair to say that the thumping by Eastern Suburbs last time effectively ended any hopes of making the final so they might as well share the experience around. But it did cost them this particular result, their inexperience being unable to handle the swing in momentum. It’s all good learning though. Gotta remember they were on top of this game most of the way too. Particularly good from Loxton and Eng in the midfield during this one.
Meanwhile how about two goals and an assist for Emily Lyon within the comeback? She basically was the comeback. Lyon was at the U20 World Cup a few months ago and is in at least her third year as a consistent goal scorer at this level. Sooner or later we’re gonna see her in the pros. Canham’s goal was incredible and she was pretty good covering for the absence of Porteous in that midfield. This oughta give Rangers a jolt of confidence heading into the latest edition of their ongoing rivalry with Auckland United... which has gotten to be less of a rivalry this year with WCR falling off in comparison to the perennial champs but there’s no time like the present to haul it back.
West Coast Rangers 3-2 Fencibles United
48’ | 0-1 | F | Missen (Makwana)
55’ | 0-2 | F | Miller (Eng)
74’ | 1-2 | WCR | Lyon (Henson)
76’ | 2-2 | WCR | Canham (Lyon)
88’ | 3-2 | WCR | Lyon (Higinbotham)
Wellington Phoenix Reserves vs Auckland United
Auckland United did play last week but they didn’t play in Aotearoa. They were over in China where they had their FIFA Champions Cup first-rounder against Naegohyang (North Korea) – the second edition of that competition and the second time that Auckland United have represented Oceania therein. Last year they pushed Wuhan Jiangda (China) all the way, only losing 1-0 due to an 88th minute equaliser. This time they conceded another 88th minute goal... although that was after Kim Kyong-yong had already buried a deflected one in the 17th minute. 2-0 to Naegohyang. The North Koreans had multiple goals disallowed for offside along the way but AUFC dug in and kept it close. Another hugely commendable effort from an amateur team from New Zealand against the reigning champions of Asia.
This was the team they used for that game...
No Talisha Green, who got injured a couple weeks ago, though they did bring her along as part of the support staff. Aniela Jensen pulled up with what looked like a strained hamstring late in the first half so that’s one to be wary of – Jensen has been in MVP quality form to begin the National League campaign. Natalie Olson, JJ Groves, Sasha Adamson, Shev Edwards, and Charley March were the substitutes used. Didn’t get much in the way of attacking moments against an insanely well organised team but lots of great defensive efforts within all that. Don’t overlook that they did that with three teenagers in the starting eleven either: Eagle (19yo), Bennett (17yo), and O’Neill (18yo).
Returning to domestic action, Auckland United’s task was to pick up where they left off against the Wellington Phoenix Reserves down at Fraser Park. And they didn’t make too many changes from the Champions Cup game. Aniela Jensen wasn’t involved but seven of the starting eleven were the same. Jess Philpot, Charley March, Olivia Ingham, and Stella Lawson were the incoming changes as AUFC sought to make it five WNL wins in a row against a team that they’ve contested a few classic late-round Kate Sheppard Cup ties in recent years – most notably the grand final in 2025.
The WeeNix had the bye last week and were at home this week so waaaaay less travel for them compared to their opponents. They picked the strongest available team with their full contingent of ALW youth development contractees in the starting eleven: Addie Ferris (GK), Freya Des Fountain (CB), Sienna Candy (AM), and Lily Brazendale (ST). Three former Phoenix or Nix Academy were involved for Auckland Utd (Charlotte Eagle, Saskia Vosper, Liv Ingham) and let’s be honest there were probably a couple future AUFC players in the WeeNix.
You could tell which team was the fresher because the Nix got underway with some really nice energy. They were in defensive mode, obviously, but they were marking tightly and always seeking to get out on the counter. The pace of Brazendale tends to help with that but the pressing of Candy and Katie Pugh was equally effective. Candy caused a hiccup for United when she took the ball off Philpot as the last defender, though JP recovered in time to cut the angle of an errant shot. An even bigger chance followed after a midfield turnover with Isla Cleall-Harding crossing for Pugh whose header was blocked on the line by Philpot. ICL and Pugh have swapped positions these last two games – ICL moving to wing-back and Pugh to striker. Based on recent evidence it seems that they’ve now got them around the correct way.
Safe to say there was some jetlag in how AUFC began this game. It might also have taken a wee while to get used to the run of the artificial surface having just played on a pristine surface in China. The artificials are always trickier on a windy day such as this too, where the extra bounce of the ball gets some swerve added to the equation. But they got there eventually, taking the lead in the 41st min when Charley March fought her way to the byline and Freya Des Fountain wasn’t able to make the clearance, allowing Olivia Ingham to pounce. Rare error from FDF but fantastic work from March (her U20 World Cup teammate) and to be honest the tide had been turning as Auckland United steadily got their sea legs.
Having scored just before half-time, they scored again straight after it. Ingham’s initial corner kick delivery was too short and cleared behind for a second chance. That second chance was much better, swirling inwards and shallow towards where Ferris had to go for it, only her punch was insufficient and then Mackenzie Greene’s attempted clearance off the line whacked Alaina Granger in the face and ricocheted over the line from very close range. Granger was the only one who didn’t celebrate – a bit more worried about making sure her jawbone was still in the right place after the blow to the cheek she’d just suffered. But hey, a goal is a goal.
The Phoenix’s 14yo phenom Elsie Sroufe came on and proceeded to run at defenders, looking pretty sharp in doing so too... although her second dribble attempt got gobbled up by Granger who then stepped over halfway and dinked a quick ball through for Chloe Bellamy to score the team’s third. Bellamy’s shot was quite poor, actually, but Ferris fumbled it for 3-0. Sadly, Sroufe picked up an injury of some sort in the process and was subbed back off again. We’ll see plenty more of her in the future, don’t worry about it. Ruby Barber replaced her – a rare instance where Barber was the older player in a substitution, having only recently turned 16. Both Sroufe and Barber have already scored goals this term.
Both teams cleared their benches from there and that opened the game up with a few extra cracks appearing in the Phoenix formation. JJ Groves had a shot on the spin soon after being introduced by United, which Ferris saved but fumbled in the process. Laura Bennett jumped on the follow-up only to hit the crossbar from close range. Groves was very active, making use of her fresh legs against a tired defence, and rewards ensued with a pair of late goals: one from running onto a Bennett through ball and benefitting from some very hesitant defending before nutmegging the goalie, another after she collected a short ball from Bennett in the box and swivelled into a good finish from a step in front of the penalty spot. Some very avoidable goals conceded by the Nix in this game but that was just pure strikesmanship. Couple of assists there for Laura Bennett off the bench as well. Hasn’t taken her long at all to become a key player for AUFC.
This was one of 3/4 games this round where the expected favourite won either 4-0 or 5-0 and all of those games had spells where it felt like that team was coasting along (and then there was that bonkers Fencies vs WCR game). Of those hefty wins, this was the one where the coasting period felt the most to do with how well the underdogs were hanging in there. Des Fountain made that one error but was otherwise exceptional yet again – adding another attribute to her scouting report by showing how tough she is fighting through a strapped up knee that took a few additional knocks along the way. Mackenzie Bryant’s breakout season continued with another strong display in the midfield, ripping into challenges throughout. Unfortunately they couldn’t get out of their own way with defensive mistakes that led to goals or else they might have really made it interesting. Gotta expect that from a young team though – those are what they call ‘coachable moments’. Nothing to add about Auckland United except that there’s still no stopping them. 17 goals scored and one conceded from five straight wins. Already beaten the two teams directly below them. They’re the standard setters.
Wellington Phoenix Reserves 0-5 Auckland United
41’ | 0-1 | AU | Ingham
48’ | 0-2 | AU | Granger
64’ | 0-3 | AU | Bellamy (Granger)
84’ | 0-4 | AU | Groves (Bennett)
90+3’ | 0-5 | AU | Groves (Bennett)
| P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland United | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 1 | 16 | 15 |
| Eastern Suburbs | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 2 | 14 | 12 |
| Wellington United | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 3 | 9 | 12 |
| Fencibles United | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 10 | -1 | 9 |
| Waterside Karori | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 6 |
| West Coast Rangers | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 8 | -2 | 6 |
| Wellington Phoenix | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 12 | -6 | 6 |
| Otago University | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 20 | -19 | 3 |
| Canterbury United | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 14 | -12 | 0 |
| TOP SCORERS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ella McCann | Eastern Suburbs | 6 |
| Aniela Jensen | Auckland United | 4 |
| Erika Skindlov | Eastern Suburbs | 4 |
| Mihiro Kisu | Fencibles United | 3 |
| Hayley Miller | Fencibles United | 3 |
| Ela Jerez | Wellington United | 3 |
| Anna McPhie | Eastern Suburbs | 3 |
| Emily Lyon | West Coast Rangers | 3 |
| Natalie Orellana | Waterside Karori | 2 |
| Sophie Burchfield | Waterside Karori | 2 |
| Margot Ramsay | Waterside Karori | 2 |
| Ruby Barber | Wellington Phoenix | 2 |
| Halle Johnson | Auckland United | 2 |
| Hannah Pilley | Wellington United | 2 |
| Madeline O'Farrell | Wellington United | 2 |
| Olivia Ingham | Auckland United | 2 |
| Pepi Olliver-Bell | Wellington United | 2 |
| Jennessa Groves | Auckland United | 2 |
| MOST ASSISTS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Natalie Young | Fencibles United | 3 |
| Sophie Burchfield | Waterside Karori | 3 |
| Laura Bennett | Auckland United | 3 |
| Erika Skindlov | Eastern Suburbs | 2 |
| Hayley Miller | Fencibles United | 2 |
| Siobhan Edwards | Auckland United | 2 |
| Madeline O'Farrell | Wellington United | 2 |
| Stacey Martin | Eastern Suburbs | 2 |
| Emily Lyon | West Coast Rangers | 2 |
| MOST CLEAN SHEETS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte Eagle | Auckland United | 4 |
| Nikki Whyte | Eastern Suburbs | 4 |
| Zoe Doughty | Fencibles United | 2 |
| Molly Simons | Wellington United | 2 |
Next Week’s Fixtures
Auckland United vs West Coast Rangers
Canterbury United vs Waterside Karori
Wellington United vs Eastern Suburbs
Otago University vs West Coast Rangers
Fencibles United vs Wellington Phoenix Reserves
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