The Northern Lights and Auckland have both taken their chances to make up ground on leaders Canterbury United Pride in the National Women’s League, each recording important victories while the defending champions sat out the action with the bye.

With just three match weeks left, it appears likely these three teams will fight it out for the final spots with fourth-placed Southern United’s hopes hanging by a thread after their loss to the Lights.

Two first-half goals from Northern’s Maggie Jenkins proved enough to give her side all the points against Southern at Allen Hill Stadium. The ball landed at Jenkins’ feet for her to slot home her first before making the game safe a few minutes later.

Three points from this physical match keeps the Lights hard on Canterbury’s heels but all but ends Southern’s chances of making the final.

Also in the City of Sails at William Green Domain, skipper Steph Skilton pounced on a knocked-down cross to give Auckland an early lead against Capital and then promptly hit the cross bar a few minutes later. Emma Rolston equalised just after halftime for the visitors but late strikes from Maisy Dewell and Britney Cunningham-Lee gave the 2017 champions the points and the chance to make a run at the final.

Not far down the motorway in Cambridge, the outcome between WaiBOP and Central had no bearing on the title race but still meant plenty to both sides in the fight to avoid the wooden spoon.

That unwanted mantle appears likely to go to Central after a Lisa Evans strike in the middle of the second half gave WaiBOP maximum reward at John Kerkhof Park.

Both sides worked hard but chances were few and far between, the home team holding on despite late pressure to claim just their second win of the season while Central’s long wait to get off the mark continues.
 

Arabella Maynard spectacularly brings the ball down for Northern (Photosport)

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

National Women’s League Match Week 10

Auckland 3 (Steph Skilton 13’, Maisy Dewell 79’, Britney Cunningham-Lee 83’)
Capital 1 (Emma Rolston 46’)
HT: 1-0

Northern Lights 2 (Maggie Jenkins 29’, 34’)
Southern United 0
HT: 2-0

WaiBOP 1 (Lisa Evans 68’)
Central 0
HT: 0-0

BYE – Canterbury United Pride

Article added: Sunday 17 November 2019