Defending champions the Canterbury United Pride were the big winners over double header week in the National Women’s League, earning a pair of victories to establish themselves at the top of the table with half of the season now gone.

Fellow title contenders the Northern Lights and Auckland both fell off the pace set by the Pride as they played out a pair of draws with each other while Capital have now inched above Southern United into fourth.

But it’s Canterbury who have the most to celebrate after following up Saturday’s 2-0 win over Southern in Dunedin with another victory over their local rivals, this time 3-2 in Christchurch.

They had to show great spirit to pull it off though after falling two goals behind, Shontelle Smith and Renee Bacon both striking to stun the Pride on their own patch. The opener from Smith was particularly memorable as it came directly from a corner.

But the hosts got back into the contest just before the break with a fine finish from Gabi Rennie to tee up an intriguing second half. It proved a period that belonged to Canterbury, who carried on their momentum and got back on level terms through Britney-Lee Nicholson just past the hour.

She had been played through for the goal by Nicola Dominikovich and the same pair combined again for the winner soon after, playing a neat one-two on the edge of the area before another accomplished finish from Nicholson.

There was far less goal-scoring action in the other match significant to the title chase as Northern and Auckland failed to get the better of each other for the second time in six days.

Saskia Vosper gave the Lights an early lead at North Harbour Stadium by flicking on a Chloe Knott corner at the near post but Auckland drew level just before half-time, skipper Stephanie Skilton finding the net via a wicked deflection.

The Lights went on to exert control in the second half but Auckland were indebted to an outstanding display from goalkeeper Alisha Perry, who made a string of fine saves and could not even be beaten from the penalty spot, diving low to her right to keep out Knott’s effort and earn her side a vital point.

It was a different story in Wellington, where Capital again had too much quality for WaiBOP in a comprehensive 8-0 victory, Football Ferns striker Emma Rolston leading the way with a four-goal haul. Tupelo Dugan notched a double while Kelsey Wilkinson and Libby Boobyer also got on the scoresheet as Capital earned back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

For the table and more information on the National Women’s League please click here

National Women’s League Match Week Seven

Thursday 24 October:

Auckland 0
Northern Lights 0
HT: 0-0

Saturday 26 October:

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 3 (Gabi Rennie 40’, Britney-Lee Nicholson 65’, 77’)
Southern United 2 (Shontelle Smith 10’, Renee Bacon 32’)
HT: 1-2

Capital 8 (Emma Rolston 2’, 31’, 45 + 1’, 52’, Tupelo Dugan 16’, 20’, Kelsey Wilkinson 49’, Libby Boobyer 90+1’)
WaiBOP 0
HT: 5-0

Tuesday 29 October:

Northern Lights 1 (Saskia Vosper 7’)
Auckland 1 (Stephanie Skilton 43’)
HT: 1-1

Article added: Wednesday 30 October 2019