The National Women’s League continues this weekend when match week five kicks off around the country, find out what’s in store with the official preview. Capital and Central will play for bragging rights in Wellington in their much-anticipated local derby, the Northern Lights will look to continue their winning ways when they host WaiBOP and Auckland take on the defending champions, the Canterbury United Pride at Kiwitea Street.

Capital v Central
Petone Memorial Park, Wellington
Saturday 12 October, 2pm
#NWL #CAvCE

Referee: Simon Morris
Assistant Referees: Russell Underwood, Nathan Griffiths
Fourth Official: Barry Buchanan

Capital: Courtney Norman (GK), Francesca Grange, Zoe Barrott, Ellen Fibbes, Katie Barrott (c), Nina Kondo, Jemma Robertson, Charlotte Wilford-Carroll, Emma Rolston, Michaela Robertson, Jemma Catherwood, Molly Simons (GK), Tupelo Dugan, Kelsey Wilkinson, Molly Woodhead, Danielle Ohlsson
Coach: Natalie Lawrence

Central: Brooke Bennett (GK), Jessica Gates, Kate Bennett, Jana Niedermayr, Charlotte Lancaster, Florence MacIntyre, Kate Mori, Abby Rankin, Mikaela Boxall (c), Natalie Olson,  Helen Talbot, Aoife Gallaher-Forbesirl (GK), Freya Partridge-Moore, Tyler Wood, Eve Barry, Georgie Furnell
Coach: Barry Scullion 

Quotes: Natalie Lawrence, Capital Head Coach: “We have had some really good preparation for this game over the past couple of weeks, with us having the bye weekend. It has helped us refocus and look at the positives from the Auckland game and how we are building as a team. We have had a lot going on with the team both on and off the field. We are going to be aiming to hit our strides against Central. This game means a lot to the players and the community.”

Barry Scullion, Central Head Coach: “This is a huge fixture for both teams as we both look to get our first win of the campaign. Capital have a strong squad and they will be a difficult prospect for our young team. We always look forward to taking on our close neighbours, and all of the pressure will be on them as the home team and as the favourites. We will look to cause an upset.” 

Northern Lights v WaiBOP Football
Allen Hill Stadium, Auckland
Sunday 13 October, 1pm
#NWL #NLvWB

Referee: Wendy McNeely
Assistant Referees: Rebecca Blakeman, Caley McNeely
Fourth Official: Bridget Baker

Northern Lights: Lily Alfeld (GK), Aneka Mittendorff, Saskia Vosper, Chloe Knott, Arabella Maynard, Talisha Green, Lily Jervis, Ava Pritchard, Kelli Brown, Greer MacIntosh, Emily Oosterhof, Emily Couchman (GK), Chloe Bellamy, Mackenzie Barry, Catherine Pretty
Coach: Shane Verma

WaiBOP Football: Georgia Candy (GK), Lisa Evans, Caitlin Byrne,  Annaliese Heuvel, Olivia Hooper, Emma Sizer, Richlyn Tuhoro, Shannon Trebes, Paige McCloskey, Maddison Ollington (c), Grace Cecilia Wisnewski, Rachel Major, Lilly Muspratt, Stella Neems, Kaylee Oosthuysen, Natasha Reiri
Coach: Nico Girard

Quotes: NFF Lights Coach Shane Verma: “The more time we spend together, the more cohesive we become as a group. Hopefully as the season goes on we will keep progressing as we have in the past few weeks. We have watched a bit of footage of WaiBOP In the last few games, and they have adapted their style for different teams so it will interesting to see how they set up this week.”

Auckland v Canterbury United Pride
Sunday 13 October, 1.30pm
Kiwitea Street, Sandringham – please note this venue has changed from McLennan Park
#NWL #AFvCP

Referee: Riley Greenbury
Assistant Referees:  Hilary Osborne, Dirrenesh Thirukumar
Fourth Official: Robbie Maris

Auckland: Nadia Olla (GK) Genevieve Ryan, Lizzie Anton, Rebekah Van Dort, Maisy Dewell, Steph Skilton, Britney Cunningham-Lee, Tessa Leong, Emma Leaming, Lucy Carter, Sophie Bradley, Sarah Morton, Ella Russ, Chloe Marthe, Alisha Perry, Jade Parris 
Coach: Nic Downes

Canterbury United Pride: Una Foyle (GK), Marisa Van Der Meer, Rebecca Lake (c), Lara Wall, Chloe Jones, Tahlia Eve Herman-Watt, Macey Fraser, Whitney Hepburn, Britney-Lee Nicholson, Nicola Dominikovich, Bel Van Noorden, Gabi Rennie, Jayda Stewart, Lauren Dabner, Ellena Firth, Kate Taylor
Coach: Alana Gunn

Quotes: Nic Downes, Auckland Head Coach: “We are looking good. We have another weekend with the players where we are focused on what we want to do in the game. We are in a good space. Everyone is pretty excited about playing Canterbury. They are a very strong side, defending champions and in the first few rounds they have shown why they are the defending champions. We are looking forward to that challenge.”

Alana Gunn, Canterbury United Pride Head Coach: “We know Auckland will come out strong and be tough competition, especially considering they have just come off a recent win against Southern. With a mix of old and new players coming into the team, alongside the talent that has been here for the past few years, we have really started to come together well as a team in time for this tough game. We are feeling positive about how we have been playing and the position we are in for the upcoming game this weekend.”

Bye - Southern United 

Article added: Friday 11 October 2019