Friday night saw the men’s National League Championship Grand Finalists get confirmed without either of the top two, Auckland City FC and Wellington Olympic, kicking a ball.

The South Island derby saw Cashmere Technical defeat rivals Christchurch United 4-2 with a hattrick from golden boot leader Garbhan Coughlan. The win saw Tech leapfrog their rivals into third place but out of reach of the top two with only one round left to play.

The situation could not be more different in the women’s competition, with the top four, Eastern Suburbs, Western Springs, Auckland United and Southern United, separated by only 4 points. That could all change this weekend with these key games...

Auckland United vs Western Springs
4:00PM / Nov 11 / Keith Hay Park 

An Auckland derby with a lot riding on it for both clubs. 

2nd in the table Western Springs travel to Auckland United in 3rd with only goal difference separating them. Both teams really need to win to keep their Grand Final hopes alive. 

Springs may have the slight advantage in the table but it was United who came out on top the last time the two met, a dominant 5-1 win in August in the Lotto NRFL. 

Player to watch: Lara Colpi 

Colpi has been in great form recently scoring 2 goals in her last game and has shown throughout the Championship that she is a very versatile player. She can shoot from anywhere, dribble and pick a line breaking pass to find a teammate. Springs will be hoping her form continues as the push to return to the Grand Final.

Click to watch live and free on FIFA+

Western Springs Ela Jerez celebrates as goal | Credit Photosport
 

Central Football v Southern United
5:00PM / Nov 11 / Massey University #10 

Southern United will travel to Palmerston North looking for a win to give them the best chance of qualifying for the Grand Final but face a Central Football side buoyed by their first win in the competition last round. 

Southern have been in great form this season and will have ambitions of lifting another national title to go with their South Central Series win in the Covid interrupted 2021 season. 

Player to watch: Amy Hislop

Hislop has been a dominant attacking force for Southern this season. She is currently the club's top goal scorer, finding the net four times, and has also played a major role with assists and chance creations. Coming up against the team which has conceded the most goals in the competition, Southern will be looking to Hislop to find the net and hopefully improve their goal difference in a title race at the top of the table. 

Click to watch live and free on FIFA+


Eastern Suburbs v Ellerslie
2:00PM / Nov 12 / Madills Farm 

It is pretty simple for Eastern Suburbs, win at bottom side Ellerslie and you are one step closer to qualifying for the Grand Final. But football is rarely simple and Ellerslie will still be keen to try and claim their first points of the season, even if it is against the top side.

When the two last met in the Lotto NRFL it was a tight 3-2 win for Suburbs so Ellerslie have it all to play for knowing they can find the net against the current women’s National League Championship holders. 

Player to watch: Charlotte Wilford-Carroll

The young midfielder has made a big contribution to Suburbs' season and tops the passing stats for the league, contributing to a number of chances for her side. 

Click to watch live and free on FIFA+