Defending champions Canterbury United Pride have returned to the top of the National Women’s League at the half-way point of this week’s double header, leaving a trio of sides looking to make up ground over the coming days.

The Northern Lights, last year’s runners-up, had entered the double header at the summit but were held to a scoreless stalemate by Auckland on Thursday night, allowing Canterbury the chance to leap back over them.

The Pride did just that with a 2-0 win over Southern United in Dunedin this afternoon, the goal-scoring damage done before the half-time whistle had been blown.

Bel van Noorden put the visitors in front of their fellow South Islanders mid-way through the half, slotting past goalkeeper Jade Middleditch from the edge of the box.

The lead was doubled soon after when Gabi Rennie burst through on goal and tucked away what proved to be the final action for the scorers.

It was just the second loss of Southern’s campaign but they are now only three points ahead of fifth-placed Capital, who appear too far off the pace to launch a title bid but will be aiming to break into the top four.

Capital had just one victory to their name heading into this weekend but doubled that tally in style with a 5-0 humbling of WaiBOP, who will be hoping to regather and put on a more much competitive performance against the same opponent on Monday.

It didn’t take long for Capital to make their mark in Cambridge, Zoe Barrott sneaking in to hit the roof of the net early on and Kelsey Wilkinson then glanced in a whipped cross to put the visitors well in control inside eight minutes.

They went on to dominate the rest of the half but did not score again until the hour, Danielle Ohlsson side footing home after a neat passing move.

Football Ferns striker Emma Rolston then headed home from a corner and it got worse for WaiBOP late on when Jemma Catherwood drove a deflected shot past goalkeeper Georgia Candy.

Capital will look to make it back-to-back wins for the first time this season on Monday while Canterbury can take a significant stride towards the final with another win over Southern, who are now likely to need something from that game to keep their own title hopes alive.

The double-header action wraps up on Tuesday evening when the second instalment of the Battle of the Bridge takes place between Northern and Auckland.

National Women’s League Match Week Seven

Auckland 0
Northern Lights 0
HT: 0-0

Southern United 0
Canterbury United Pride 2 (Bel van Noorden 25’, Gabi Rennie 32’)
HT: 0-2

WaiBOP 0
Capital 5 (Zoe Barrott 4’, Kelsey Wilkinson 8’, Danielle Ohlsson 60’, Emma Rolston 66’, Jemma Catherwood 87’)
HT: 0-2

Monday 28 October:

Canterbury United Pride vs Southern United, 1pm
English Park, Christchurch

Capital Football vs WaiBOP Football, 1pm
Memorial Park, Wellington

Tuesday 29 October:

Northern Lights vs Auckland Football, 7pm
North Harbour Stadium, Auckland

Article added: Saturday 26 October 2019