Aotearoa Domestic Football Roundup – August 3
Men’s Northern League
They’ve done it, Birkenhead United are champions of the Northern League with four games to spare – the first trophy winner to be confirmed across the top men’s and women’s footy leagues this year. They needed to win away against Western Springs to clinch the title and that’s what they did. Josh Redfearn scored the opener from the penalty spot, having won the foul himself (27’), but Joao Moreira soon nodded one back for Springs (30’). It stayed that way for long enough to start wondering if Birko might have to wait another week for their coronation... but nah, Kian Donkers popped up off the bench to get the job done (67’). 2-1 to Birkenhead United – their first ever in the Northern League or any equivalent. And they clinched it at the home of the previous champions, how’s that for a fitting handover?
Got a bit chippy there at the end as Birko wound down the clock. All part of the game. This was Donkers’ second goal since rejoining the club after his Pro League stint with Auckland FC – the bloke who set it up, Shivam Nair, spent last year with the AFC Reserves too. And of course Western Springs have a bunch of Pro League returnees of their own... part of why they haven’t been able to muster a title defence is the amount of dudes they lost. Their job from here is to finish strong enough to make sure they qualify for the 2027 National League, which probably relies on Auckland United not getting top four. Brilliant from Birko all season long. Their only defeat came in the Chatham Cup. They’re 18-2-0 in the Northern League and on track for a lossless season. 47 goals scored by 13 different scorers. Only 10 conceded. Still more to come with three of their last four against clubs near the bottom of the ladder.
Another team who had a good week was Auckland City. In typical Navy Blue fashion, they bounced back from consecutive defeats to East Coast Bays (in the league) and Fencibles (in the cup) last week with a pair of Northern League three-pointers to set them up before heading to Fiji for the Oceania Champions League. First up was another midweeker, this time against Bay Olympic where they won 5-1. Pavel Osmančík got it started from the penalty spot (10’) before the legend Ryan de Vries took a four-wicket haul (14’, 17’, 44’, 52’) with Patrick Izett (25’) giving BO something against the run of play. Comprehensive from ACFC.
Then Auckland City went to Riverhills on Saturday to face Fencibles United, winning 3-0 to snap Fencies’ 11-game winning streak and avenge their Chatham Cup exit. Goals from Gerard Garriga (17’), Matt Ellis (48’), and Mike den Heijer (63’). They’re never down for long, are they? Lots of goals across those two fixtures but they’d scored five across the two defeats beforehand – the big difference was in defence. This puts Auckland City five points clear in second however they’ve played 2-3 games more than the rest of the teams in contention for top four. They should beat Melville in their last game of the season after they return from Fiji but in the meantime they’ll be sweating those other results for a chance to defend their National League title. Beating Fencies certainly helps the cause though.
Eastern Suburbs got the nudge over Tauranga City away but only by a 1-0 scoreline thanks to a penalty from Hector Echague (33’). Decent battle from Tauranga... yet in the end they couldn’t deny another clean sheet victory for the Lilywhites. One goal is usually all they need. This was the fifth time they’ve won 1-0 in an away game this year (Auckland City, Auckland FC, Fencibles, Tauranga & Western Springs), plus they won 1-0 at home against Springs too. They’ve also lost 1-0 twice on the road. Jack de Groot’s been their main goalkeeper, sometimes rotating with German import Jonas Hoffman. JDG has played 13 games and conceded three goals with nine shutouts. Bloody hell. Only 22 years old too, formerly with Miramar Rangers. They’ve kept 13 cleanies from 18 fixtures overall.
Big upset at Bay City Field where East Coast Bays went down 2-0 against visiting Melville United. An own goal late in the first half (40’), then a Lucca Lim goal early in the second (46’). Good enough for Melville to jump a spot from eleventh to tenth... moving out of the relegation (though there probably won’t be relegation because of all the teams moving up to National League next year – bit crazy that this still hasn’t been confirmed but that’s the understanding). Three of Melville’s four wins have come in away games. The rest of them were all against teams around them at the bottom of the table so this was easily their most notable result of the annum... and a brutal defeat for ECB whose leaky defence has been catching up with them lately – this was the tenth instance of them conceding multiple times in a game. Of the top six, only Fencibles ship more... but Fencies are also one of the top-scoring teams so they get away with it. Well, they didn’t this week but you get the idea.
Auckland United won 6-0 away against Manukau United. It was only 1-0 at the hour-mark with Will Mendoza scoring the goal (12’) but the last thirty got out of hand: Ben Wallace (65’), Matt Conroy (69’), Matias Nunez (84’), Otto Ingham (90’), Jedd White (90+1’). Dunno what to say about Manukau... that’s seven consecutive defeats and the last three have been awful: 5-0 vs Auckland City, 7-0 vs Eastern Suburbs, 6-0 vs Auckland United. They just need the season to end. Auckland United have work to do though – gotta finish as high up the ladder as they can not only for 2026 National League qualification but especially for the 2027 National League. AUFC still have games left against Fencies and ECB so top four is well within their grasp and top four oughta achieve both of those aims.
Finally, Bay Olympic 4-3 Auckland FC Reserves. Yeah that was a wild one... although the scoreline flatters AFC a little. It began when Jake Woolford, a former AFC Ressies player, got tripped in the box for a penalty. Callum McNeill converted from the spot (14’) and then Derek Tieku did his usual thing to sneak in for a second (19’). AFC got back into it when Damion Kim smacked a volley from the edge of the box that took a huge deflection on the way in (45+2’). Marco Favaro (58’) and William Eng (63’) put Bay Olympic back in full control... for about ten minutes until Lucas Lovelock was sent off (73’). First challenge was a belter in midfield but he got up and jumped into another which did some damage. AFC had a go against the ten men and managed to score two late ones via Carlos Ranui (90+1’) and Ben Perez Baldoni (90+2’). Only 56 seconds between those two goals. Alas, they ran out of time to find another. The first goal is credited to Harley Hill on the match centre, which would have been his tenth... except it was Damion Kim who actually got it. They’re numbers 48 and 49 so you can see where the mistake came from.
Women’s NRFL Premiership
Auckland United’s women rebounded as emphatically as Auckland City’s men did after a couple of uncharacteristic defeats, including cup exits. Can’t do much about that now but they can apply as much pressure as possible to Eastern Suburbs in the NRFL Premiership title race. Wasn’t actually going that well for them on Tuesday night against Western Springs, struggling to find a way through for most of the game, until their superior depth shone through with goals from Chloe Bellamy (79’) and Grace Bartlett (83’, 90’) sending them onwards with a 3-0 win. Credit to Western Springs who are getting tougher and tougher as the season goes along.
Also a shout out to Zoe Benson who is playing for Auckland United at the moment, staying active ahead of the U20 World Cup, but also just signed a multi-year deal to return to the Wellington Phoenix where she’ll be moving up from a youth player to a scholarship player next season. It was Zoe Benson who got them started as Auckland United repeated the same scoreline on Friday night away to Fencibles United. Benson (38’) and then Bellamy (90+2’) and Olivia Ingham (90+3’). Another 3-0 win that probably flattered AUFC... but that’s what good teams do. At least Fencibles can brag that they had more players in the Auckland FC U17s TDP Invitational team that played a couple games against the Wellington Phoenix over the weekend (and won by a 7-0 aggregate scoreline). More on that in TNC’s latest Substack newsletter.
Eastern Suburbs shrugged off both of those results with convincing wins of their own. After AUFC won on Tuesday night, Eastern Suburbs took on West Coast Rangers on Wednesday evening and won 3-1 away. Scoreless at the break before Erika Skindlov (47’, 72’) and Maddi Ollington (58’) provided a trio of wonderful finishes. Skindlov especially ripping those shots running in from the left wing. Marissa Porteous stayed active to give WCR a lifeline (74’) but there was no more to come. Not against that Suburbs backline.
It was the Eastern Suburbs attack that got the spotlight in an 8-1 win against Tauranga Moana on Sunday though. They saw what AUFC did on Friday night and raised it... albeit not before a wee scare induced by a Rachel Collins goal for Moana after 31 minutes. It was 1-0 to the visitors for all of about seven minutes and then it went: Maddi Ollington (38’), Stacey Martin (40’), Ollington (50’), Ella Findlay (66’) Ollington (68’), Ruby Snell (71’), Ollington (82’), Kenya Brooke (90+3’). Four goals for Ollington after also scoring midweek... five in two games lifts her up to 12 goals overall and finally we’ve got a challenger to Maggie Jenkins (16 goals) in the Golden Boot hunt. A reminder that Jenkins left for Oz like three months ago... though she’s back in town playing for the AFC Invitational vs Chelsea next weekend. First senior goal for 17yo Ruby Snell in there too.
Four Auckland United players have also been picked for that AFC vs Chelsea game even though AUFC are away to Melville United the next day. Could be a test of their depth without Aniela Jensen, Alaina Granger, Talisha Green, Saskia Vosper, and Piper O’Neill. Granted, Melville will be without their best player, Laura Bennett, for the same reason. Fencibles won’t have American goalkeeper Zoe Doughty either. They’re the six NRFL Premiership players involved in that game. Fencibles are away to Eastern Suburbs so that could be troublesome for them... and also for AUFC’s hopes of Eastern Suburbs slipping up. Auckland Utd and Eastern Subs do have one more meeting and only three points separate them right now so it’s still game on in the trophy hunt.
Other teams also play in this division. One of those teams is Ellerslie AFC who won 7-1 against Melville United. Arisa Takeda (2’), Rina Hirano (26’), Anita Trudgen (31’), Tatiana Mason (50’), Jeongyun Kwon (65’), Cilla Fa’afua (86’), and a second for Arisa Takeda (90+3’). Isabela Green Camargo (72’) scored the goal for Melville in between the fifth and sixth goals for the Ponies. Tough one for Melville who, along with Laura Bennett training up in the 09, were also without Elin Gainsford, Mia Humphrey, and Emma Meadows all with the AFC U17s in Wellington. It’s a very young team that Melville have got. That come at the expense of some heavy defeats but they’ve been able to win games against Tauranga and Western Springs along the way to stay above those two sides.
Additionally, there was a 1-1 draw between Western Springs and West Coast Rangers. Olivia Curgenven (66’) had Rangers leading until Cleo Carmichael (80’) levelled up at Seddon Fields. Frustrating for Rangers who would have gone level on points with third-placed Fencibles with a victory. But once again that’s a gutsy display from the Swans who continue to show progress whilst still using a lot of the youngsters they began the season with. Adding American imports Hilary Halpin and Kaitlyn Cook has obviously made a difference but Daphne Ranta, Sienna Makwana, Rosa Muru, Macey MacLennan, Sian Christie, and Amelia McAllister all played this game having also been involved in the 13-0 loss against Auckland United way back in March. That’s progress.
Men’s Central League
One of the three title challengers in the Men’s Central League fell short this week. It was not Napier City Rovers who were 4-0 victors against Petone with goals for Ben Stanley (7’), Aston Hurd (18’), Jacob Fenton (54’), and Leon Brown (90+3’) keeping Rovers on course at the top and extending their unbeaten streak to 11 games in all comps. Three points clear with three games to go – although that Miramar clash in the penultimate round could shuffle things up. Ben Stanley is up to eight goals this season and there have been some pretty important strikes in there as Rovers seek a first Central League crown since 2018.
It also wasn’t Wellington Olympic who stumbled because they bossed a 4-1 win against Upper Hutt City. Fell behind when Lucas Hansen (5’) flipped one in from close range after Scott Basalaj couldn't hold a cross. Was he fouled? Doesn’t matter, just gotta get on with it... and that’s what the Greeks did as Gianni Bouzoukis (12’, 55’), Ben Mata (72’), and Luke Stoupe (74’) all scored. The first three were tidy finishes from close range. Two good striker’s goals for Bouzoukis and then a scramble after a set piece for Mata (rare non-penalty goal for the captain). But the fourth from Stoupe was a brilliant long-range hit from the top of the centre-circle. Not quite halfway but close enough, mate. Three wins on the bounce for Olympic since losing to Napier City.
That means by process of elimination it must have been Miramar Rangers who stuttered. Yep, only drew 0-0 with Waterside Karori. The Wharfies have been solid lately but Miramar needed three points from that fixture. They’re now four adrift of leaders NCR and therefore even with another clash to come against those guys, their title chances now rest upon NCR also dropping points against Karori or Western. Both away games. There’s a Chatham Cup semi-final nestled in amongst to further distract Rovers so it could happen. But Miramar were leading the way for a lot of this year only for consecutive draws against Petone and Karori to see them trail off at a critical moment. No Owen Smith in this game, nevertheless they still had guys like Martin Bueno, Connor Gaul, Jordan Lamb, and Adam Hewson out there.
At least for Miramar’s sake, a 2-2 draw between Wellington Phoenix Reserves and Western Suburbs gets them closer to National League qualification later this year. They need five more points to make sure of that – either points that Miramar get or points that Wests do not. Whichever team finishes higher should also get the third spot in next year’s new league format while the other will have to go through the playoffs for a second chance.
This was a cracking game between the WeeNix and Wests. Ben Trenberth scored a from deflected effort that just crept over the line (30’) upon his return from captaining the NZ U16s to an Oceania championship. Joe McIntrye hit a screamer in the second half (68’) to have the Nix Reserves tracking for a first win since May... only for Fumiya Ito (76’) and Hamish Clark (90+3’) to spring a Western Suburbs comeback for the draw. Zach Cashmore made a Central League debut off the bench while Jack Clegg was out there from the start – those two were also in that NZ U16s squad. Pretty curious about this Jiovanny Gabriel Mora lad who is 20 years old and has joined the Nix from the FC Cincinnati academy in the USA, appearing in these last few Central League matches. Split American and Mexican heritage. A rare Nix Academy presence from outside of NZ/Australia/Oceania.
Finally, Island Bay United drew 0-0 against FC Western. No goals to mention but a point on the road for Western will go down smoothly, especially as it meant a first clean sheet of the campaign. Took awhile but they got there eventually. Not much chance of them avoiding a last-placed finish however with games against Miramar and Napier City still to come they could yet have a big say in who lifts the trophy.
Women’s Central League
Since Waterside Karori had their Taradale Bye this weekend, they squeezed in a catch-up game away to Miramar Rangers during the week... and did what needed doing with a 2-0 victory. Both goals for Natalie Orellana (38’, 89’). Petone also did their bit with a tough 3-1 win away to Palmerston North United. Pepi Olliver-Bell (3’) put the visitors ahead right off the bat although it was still only 1-0 at the break. Then a red card for Aimee Powick (45’ PNU) helped break it open. Olliver-Bell scored a second (48’) and immediately after Paris Liu (68’) got Palmy Utd within range again, Rebecca Otte (69’) restored the two-goal advantage and Petone kept it steady from there. Two gritty wins for the challenging pair.
Not that there’s anything either of them can do if Wellington United continues winning. The Diamonds claimed a 4-0 result against Seatoun with braces from Madeline O’Farrell (28’, 39’) and Sarah Alder (50’ pen, 61’) to remain seven points clear, having played an extra game. They’ve got their Taradale Bye next round so Petone could cut the lead to four points... but even then the Diamonds would only need to win one of their last two matches (away to Miramar and home vs Palmy Utd). Wellington United’s home record reads: 8/8 wins with 49 goals scored and 6 conceded. They’re pretty decent in away games too but absolutely torching when they’re at home, having scored at least three times in every one of those outings.
Victoria University 0-0 Miramar Rangers. That was also a game. Rightio. Hayley Hicks was red carded at the very end (second yellow) for Miramar but too late to matter for this result. A better point for Vic Uni who avoid defeat for only the third time in 14 matches. And how about this: Wellington Phoenix U18s 7-0 Palmerston North Marist. Now, Palmy Marist have been trudging through it lately but the WeeNix weren’t taking any chances, turning up with a stacked team that included quite a few players usually only seen in the Reserves team. One of those was Lily Brazendale who scored four goals in the first half (12’, 14’, 34’, 35’). Niamh Tauwhare-George (61’), Mikaela Bangalan (80’), and Isla McNaught (84’) got the others.
Brooke Neary, Alyssha Eglinton, Mackenzie Bryant, Sienna Candy, and Katie Pugh also featured from the U20s. Niamh Tauwhare-George and Rākapa Epiha-Hall are new additions in this age group, both having been standout athletics reps and both still super young, guessing around 14yo. Also noticed that Wellington United prodigy Louisa Egley-Turner, who was starting National League games at 15yo last year, is now with the Phoenix having been part of the U18s group who played twice against the AFC equivalents over the weekend - which by the way was why they had to stack the U18s for Central League. Can’t be two places at once. The U20s had a game in their mixed youth league and it looks like they had to grab a couple of the U15 Boys to make up the numbers (including Rylee Page and Bill Tillbury who scored in a 2-0 win vs Wellington Olympic U15 Boys).
Men’s Southern League
Birkenhead United may have been the first of our 2026 champs locked in but Cashmere Technical will not be far behind them. Two more points required with four games left (including a game in hand against last-placed Wānaka). They’ll get that done sooner rather than later. And the reason they’re right there on the brink is because they just travelled across town to see their old mates at Christchurch United and thumped them 5-0 on their own turf. Garbhan Coughlan slammed one into the bottom corner (8’), Zander Edwards blasted a stunner into the opposite top corner (16’), a low ball across the six yard box led to an own goal (35’), Lyle Matthysen converted back stick from a Coughlan by-line delivery (36’), and Erik Panzer put one away from closer range off a corner (47’).
Crushing win for Cashmere. They’re on the brink of regaining the trophy they previously won in 2021 and 2024. Meanwhile Christchurch United cannot finish any higher than fifth at the absolute best from here... meaning they’re very likely to have to contest the playoffs for the last National League spot in next year’s revamped top division. They’ll need to find some form from somewhere before that. CUFC’s remaining games are all away in three different cities, with Nelson Suburbs, Coastal Spirit, and Northern on the cards.
Ferrymead Bays are still on course for 2026 National League entry after a 2-0 win against Selwyn United away. Goals for Jackson Cole (49’) and Omar Cameron (63’), two dudes who’ve been awesome for them lately. Keeps them four points clear of Coastal in second with three rounds to go. Granted, Coastal Spirit went alright themselves this round with a 5-0 victory against Northern. Yusi van Dam scored in literally the first minute of the match. Then Weston Bell (15’), an own goal (57’), Jack Mitchell (62’), and AJ Wilson (90+3’) did the rest of it. Weird thing for Coastal is that their last five league games have included four wins-to-nil and a 6-0 loss to Ferrymead. Weird thing for Northern is that they’ve only scored two goals in eight away games. At home their goal difference is 11-7 (+4). Away their goal difference is 2-28 (-26). And that’s not including their 5-0 Chatham Cup loss away to Nelson Suburbs either. Since that cup exit, Northern have lost 11-0 to Nelson Subs (A), 3-0 to Cashmere Tech (H), and 5-0 to Coastal (A). Since the start of July they have scored zero goals and conceded 24 across four matches. Their last three are against the three teams directly below them on the ladder so they should at least halt the slide.
Nomads United won 2-1 against Nelson Suburbs. Took the lead through Ethan Bingham (55’), conceded a Noah Platt equaliser (67’), then won it thanks to Cooper Goldsmith (78’). Both Nomads goals came from substitutes – very helpful contributions in the first game since their top scorer Flynn Holdem left for University of Maryland, Baltimore County. And there was also a 2-1 win for Dunedin City Royals against Wānaka. Cato Williams (31’) and Eden Brummitt (45+2’) got the goals for DCR. Ethan Arratia (62’) scored Wānaka’s. There’s a scrap going on for the wooden spoon here with Selwyn and Wānaka both on seven points and what do ya know they face each other next week.
Women’s South Island League
Birkenhead United may have been the first of our 2026 champs locked in but Cashmere Technical will not be far behind them. Had to repeat that sentence because it’s equally true of the Cashy Tech women who are also undefeated and can also clinch the title next week. In their case they only need a draw against NW United. That’s after smashing their closest rivals Dunedin City Royals 4-0 at Garrick Memorial with goals from Dorothy Yek (18’), Margi Dias (32’), Anya Stephan (75’), and Petra Buyck (85’). Bit of a difference between this result and the 2-1 win that Cashmere had against DCR in the Kate Sheppard Cup a month ago, albeit Stephan and Buyck’s goals were relatively late ones. This was the third time that CT have beaten the Royals this year. Both league games and that cup tie.
Tech will face the Wellington Phoenix Reserves in the KSC semis in two weeks, same team that knocked them out at the same stage last year only this time it’ll be in Christchurch. That game (and a possible final to follow) probably has a lot to do with Lara Wall popping up off the bench in this fixture. Hasn’t got a contract for next season with the Phoenix, who have just signed an import wing-back, so she’s gonna try send a message by knocking the Nix Reserves out of the cup. Annalie Longo was on the bench as an assistant coach but don’t think we’ll see them play that trump card.
Nelson Suburbs 0-1 NW United was a curious result. Amy McCutcheon (64’) supplied the only goal of the game as the Nomads-Waimakariri side got their second win of the campaign... and also finally scored a goal in an away game following five scoreless defeats. NWU are still last but this result shrinks the gap between the bottom four teams to three points with a month left in the season and a wooden spoon up for grabs for somebody. Looked like NWU were cruising for it after losing to Roslyn Wakari a few weeks ago but no longer. Speaking of whom, Roslyn Wakari were beaten 1-0 by Otago University down in Dunedin. Keely Osborne scored after 16 minutes and that was that. There’s also only two points separating second from fourth so even with Cashy Tech skipping their way towards the trophy we’ve still got a couple of pockets to watch out for with that battle for second and that battle not to be last.
One more paragraph to mention how Coastal Spirit have continued their late season revival with a 2-1 win over Universities of Canterbury. Anika Lomax put UC ahead in the second minute but Coastal turned that around thanks to Olivia Harding (30’) and Saki Nagai (39’). Contrasting zones for those two clubs. Coastal’s SIL season has gone: LDLLLLWWLLW. Zero wins in the first six, four wins in the last five. UC’s has gone: WLWWWLDWLDL. Four wins in the first five, one win in the last six.
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