The Northern Lights are top of the National Women’s League table for the first time this season.

On a special day for the Federation with regular goalkeeper Anna Leat delivering a Player of the Match performance for the NZ U-17 women as they defeated Japan to advance to the semi-finals of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup for the first time, the Lights continued their winning run to defeat Central Football 5-2 at Massey University in Palmerston North.

That win sees them climb to 26 points and the leader by two points over the season frontrunners the Canterbury United Pride who had the bye in Match Week 11. Auckland and Canterbury have a game in hand over the Lights.

Shane Verma, the Head Coach in Gemma Lewis’ absence as she is the Assistant Coach of the NZ U-17 women, led his side to their sixth victory in a row. The Lights are the form team heading into the business end of the competition. 

Northern, who defeated the Canterbury United Pride last weekend in Christchurch, scored two goals in the first 45 minutes and three after the break – with Jane Barnett bagging a double – to record a comfortable victory.  They have the bye next weekend and will be away to WaiBOP in the final round as they look to secure a home final.

On Saturday, Auckland travelled south to Wellington in a crucial game for their title chances at Petone Memorial Park. Capital took the lead through Anna McPhie in the 37^th minute when she pounced on a loose ball and produced a composed finish.

Auckland’s Jade Parris struck back in first-half injury time. The midfielder, who moved to second-equal on the Golden Boot standings with seven goals, delivered a delightful chip with the last kick of the half to get on level terms.

It looked as if Emma Evans’ side would claim the three points when Meisha Boone helped Capital take the lead again.  Good interplay saw Boone on the end of a cross and scoring in the bottom left corner. Auckland kept fighting and a mistake at the back saw Jade Morrissey scramble home an equaliser in the 88^th minute. It is a point that could prove hugely important in Auckland’s season.

With two rounds remaining, the Pride and the Lights are the favourites to claim the Grand Final places, but Auckland still have a chance to defend their title. The Tracy Wrigley coached team, currently on 21 points, must win their final two games against WaiBOP (home) and Canterbury United Pride (away) to have a chance of making the final.

Southern United are out of final contention but that didn’t stop them scoring probably the fastest two goals in National Women’s League history against WaiBOP at Forrester Park.

Emily Morrison scored within a minute and then Mikayla Gray found the back of the net a minute later to jump out to a 2-0 lead.  Georgia Brown, who was invited to train with the Football Ferns in the OFC Women’s Nations Cup training camp, scored in the 29^th minute before WaiBOP came back into the game through two quick goals to Chelsea Elliott and Ella Golding.

The home side held a 3-2 lead at the break and they kicked on with it, with Lara Wall and a second to Brown securing the win. Casey Ralph scored a second-half consolation goal for Central.

There are only two Match Weeks left in the National Women’s League and everything still to play for three teams with Auckland fighting to stay in contention to defend their title.

National Women’s League Match Week 11 Results

Capital 2 (Anna McPhie 37’, Meisha Boone 63’)
Auckland 2 (Jade Parris 45’ + 1’, Jade Morrissey 88’)
HT: 1-1

Southern United 5 (Emily Morrison 1’, Mikayla Gray 2’, Georgia Brown 29’, 85’, Lara Wall 75’)
WaiBOP 2 (Chelsea Elliott 32’, Ella Golding 37’)
HT: 3-2

Central 1 (Casey Ralph 72’)
Northern Lights 5 (Ava Pritchard 23’, Jane Barnett 30’, 80’, Liz Savage 70’, Nicole Stratford 74’)
HT: 0-2

Bye: Canterbury United Pride

For the National Women’s League table click here

For more information contact
Peter Thornton
NZ Football Media and Communications Manager
+64 27 403 8905

Article added: Sunday 25 November 2018