U17 Football Ferns 9 v Papua New Guinea 0

New Zealand have all but booked their passage to the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago after a 9-0 win over Papua New Guinea at North Harbour Stadium today.

Stephanie Skilton (left), Holly Patterson and Evie Millynn (right) celebrate one of Patterson's three goals. Photo Shane Wenzlick, Photosport.

April 14, 2010

AUCKLAND – New Zealand have all but booked their passage to the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago after a 9-0 win over Papua New Guinea at North Harbour Stadium today.

Following a 10-0 win over the Solomon Islands on Monday, the Young Football Ferns sit three points clear at the top of the inaugural OFC U-17 Women’s Championship and just need to avoid defeat against winless Tonga on Friday to rubber stamp their place in the 16 nation September finals.

Holly Patterson led the scoring with a hat trick, while substitute Brittany Dudley-Smith netted twice and goals to Kate Loye, Stephanie Skilton, Evie Millynn and an own goal completed the score-line.

New Zealand rocketed to a 4-0 lead after 12 minutes and coasted throughout the rest of the match, leaving coach Dave Edmondson with mixed feelings despite putting one foot in the Caribbean-based finals.

“We said today it wasn’t about score lines or even qualification it was about performance and I think we let ourselves down today,” Edmondson said.
“The quality was below par today. It’s tough but we have to set our own standards higher.”

Edmondson also warned his side against complacency in the final game against Tonga on Friday afternoon, reminding them there was still plenty to play for.

“We talked before the game, it’s not about Trinidad and Tobago. For these girls here it’s about making sure they are in the team. It’s the New Zealand U-17s that go to Trinidad and Tobago not necessarily these 20 girls. They have to earn that right.”

It took just three minute for Holly Patterson to open the scoring, slapping a low 12 yard shot inside the far post and five minutes later another Patterson effort was parried by the keeper but only as far as Kate Loye who greatfully finished  from close range.

Within a minute, Patterson met a deep Olivia Chance cross at the back post to net her second and Stephanie Skilton blasted the Young Ferns’ fourth from the edge of the penalty area in the 12th minute.

Almost 30 minutes passed before Evie Milynn’s angled lob dipped over the keeper to restart the scoring in the 40th minute and an error from the Papua New Guinea under pressure just before the break extended the half time lead to six goals.

Patterson blasted a wide free kick to complete her hat trick and for the second time in as many games Brittany Dudley Smith contributed two goals as a second half substitute. 

OFC U-17 Women’s Championships
North Harbour Stadium

New Zealand 9 (Holly Patterson 3, 9, 57; Kate Loye 8, Stephanie Skilton 12, Evie Millynn 40, Own goal 44, Brittany Dudley-Smith 69, 87)
Papua New Guinea 0
Halftime 6-0

New Zealand: 1-Chloe-May GEURTS (GK), 4-Olivia CHANCE (16-Ashleigh WARD 54), 6-Evie MILLYNN, 7-Holly PATTERSON (5-Brittany DUDLEY-SMITH 62), 8-Kate LOYE (11-Grace PARKINSON 82), 9-Hannah CARLSEN, 12-Stephanie SKILTON, 13-Megan LEE , 14-Katie BOWEN (captain), 17-Sivitha BOYCE, 19-Min KHANTHEE.
Substitutes not used: 2-Rachel HEAD, 3-Tessa MCPHERSON, 10-Hannah WONG, 15-Kate CARLTON, 18-Rebecca BURROWS, 20-Jess REDDAWAY (RGK).
Coach: Dave EDMONDSON

Solomon Island 5 Tonga 0
Halftime: 3-0

Standings

OFC U-17 Women’s Championships Schedule
April 16
12pm: Solomon Islands v Papua New Guinea
3pm: New Zealand v Tonga