The Northern Lights have claimed bragging rights in the Battle of the Bridge after overcoming Auckland 2-0 in the National Women’s League tonight in Albany.

The arch rivals, who could not be separated in an entertaining 0-0 draw at McLennan Park in Papakura on Thursday, squared off again in fine conditions at QBE Stadium and it was the home team that claimed the valuable three points.

Northern’s win sees them move to level points with Auckland on the National Women’s League ladder on 11 points from six games, but Northern edged ahead of Auckland on a goal difference (11 compared to nine). Both teams are seven points back from the frontrunners the Canterbury United Pride who boast a perfect record from their opening six games.

Lights’ midfielder Malia Steinmetz opened the scoring for the home team in the 43^rd minute. The New Zealand U-20 captain picked up the ball on the edge of the area and hit a superb curling shot that gave Auckland goalkeeper Nadia Olla little chance.

It was a deserved lead and Northern went into the sheds full of confidence they could carry on to record an important win over the previously unbeaten defending champions Auckland.

They did exactly that with a composed performance. Dayna Stevens put the match beyond reach when she slotted home in the 68^th minute after Aneka Mittendorff had her shot blocked by the Auckland defence.  There is a long way to go this season, but this win promotes Northern’s chances of making the National Women’s League Final on either 15 or 16 December.

Northern Lights coach Gemma Lewis, who guided Auckland to victory in the National Women’s League Final last year, was pleased with the hard-fought victory.

“Great to get a positive result tonight, our team are pretty happy,” said Lewis. “We felt like we deserved it on Thursday and we came out with a point to prove tonight. Auckland were better today and they gave us some trouble and it took us a little while in the first half to settle into the game, but once we did we started making good decisions.”

Lewis paid tribute to Steinmetz who delivered a standout performance for the Lights in the centre of the park.

“Malia has been hugely influential for us in the past couple of weeks. Her work rate has been phenomenal. She is always a threat. Defensively, she is strong but on attack when she gets forward she causes problems for all teams.”

The game started in similar fashion to the way it ended five nights ago.  In the eighth minute Auckland captain Steph Skilton fired an early warning shot when her powerful effort to the far post was just wide. 

Northern found their rhythm and a chance fell for New Zealand U-20 rep Sam Tawhara in the 16^th minute. Liz Savage delivered a fine cross to Tawharu but she couldn’t convert the opportunity.

The Lights kept pouring forward and looked like they would take the lead with a double chance in the 25^th minute. Midfielder Kate Loye hit a hard shot against the crossbar and Dayna Stevens hit the follow up header over the bar.

Auckland’s best chance of the night came heading into halftime. In the 39^th minute Grace Jale played Football Fern Paige Satchell into space with a clever ball over the top of the Lights’ defence. Satchell used her pace to good effect and went one-on-one with Anna Leat in goal but hit her effort over the bar.

At the other end Stevens, another NZ U-20 rep, showed good strength to win the ball off Auckland’s defence and hit a good shot but Olla pulled off a decent save.

Moments later, Northern were celebrating the opening goal when Steinmetz finished her chance well from the edge of the area and the score remained 1-0 at half time.

After the break, Auckland had a half chance when Satchell was lining up a shot but was denied by Lights’ skipper Claudia Bunge in the 63^rd minute.

The home side turned defence into attack when Stevens converted her half chance and two minutes later Sarah Morton, a standout for Auckland this season, denied second-half substitute Maggie Jenkins a goal with a goal line clearance.

Northern finished with the three points after a clinical performance in the local derby, it’s a win that could prove pivotal at the business end of the National Women’s League.

National Women’s League Match Week Six Fixture
Northern Lights 2 (Malia Steinmetz 43’, Dayna Stevens 68’)
Auckland 0
HT: 1-0

For the National Women’s League Table click here

Article added: Tuesday 23 October 2018