The Northern Lights have put themselves right in the mix for a home final by becoming just the second team to beat leaders Canterbury United Pride in the National Women’s League while Auckland are hot on their heels after a routine win over Central put them just three points behind but crucially having a game in hand on the top two.

Capital meanwhile kept their faint title hopes alive with a dramatic last-gasp win over WaiBOP, who must now be wondering if they’ve done something to upset the football gods after being on the receiving end of such a heart-breaking outcome on several occasions this season.

But most of the attention this afternoon was focused on English Park in Christchurch, where the Pride could have made themselves firm favourites for the minor premiership but instead now have a big fight on their hands for that honour after Northern ran out 3-0 winners.

Both sides were without key players due to either the Football Ferns’ OFC Women’s Nations Cup campaign or the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup but Northern clearly dealt best with their absentees, displaying the depth of their squad by pulling off one of the results of the season.

Goals from Emma Turnbull and Ava Pritchard gave the visitors a well-deserved 2-0 lead at the break and that advantage was extended just past the hour by Dayna Stevens as the Lights made clear their intentions of repeating their title-winning exploits of 2015.

Auckland are looking to defend the title they picked up just last season and likewise made light of the unavailability of their internationals with a commanding display at home to Central, who are still searching for their second win of the season.

Led by a strong defensive display from skipper Jenna Barry, Central proved a tough nut to crack in the opening half though and restricted the hosts to a 1-0 lead at the break, Jade Parris coming up with the goal. But the score blew out in a 14-minute spell soon after the restart as Tessa Leong struck a double and Sam Muirhead provided Auckland’s fourth.

The goal of the game was the first from substitute Leong, who unleashed a stunning strike from outside the box that sailed over stranded Central goalkeeper Aoife Gallagher-Forbes.

In Hamilton, the winning margin was far less comfortable for Capital, who found themselves 2-0 down against the wooden spoon contenders with only ten minutes remaining. Olivia Hooper had given WaiBOP a half-time lead and it looked like they might have done enough to claim just their second victory when Shae Brady made it two late on.

But, with their slim title prospects on the line, Capital rallied and launched a remarkable comeback to break WaiBOP’s hearts yet again. Michaela Robertson made an immediate impact on her return to the side with a quick-fire double, the second of which arrived in the final minute of regulation time.

With five minutes of additional time then having ticked by, WaiBOP must have thought they would at least pick up a rare point but they were left deflated when Meisha Boone found the net with one of the last kicks of the game to somehow pull off an unlikely win for Capital.

The battle to secure a berth in the final will continue on the coming weekend when the National Women’s League returns with another full round, for the table and other information please click here

National Women’s League Match Week 10 Results

Auckland Football 4 (Jade Parris 21’, Tessa Leong 50’, 64’, Sam Muirhead 74’)
Central Football 0
HT: 1-0

Canterbury United Pride 0 
Northern Lights 3 (Emma Turnbull 21’, Ava Pritchard 34’, Dayna Stevens 61’)
HT: 0-2

WaiBOP Football 2 (Olivia Hooper 32’, Shae Brady 79’)
Capital Football 3 (Michaela Robertson 82’, 90’, Meisha Boone 90+5’)
HT: 1-0

BYE – Southern United

Article added: Sunday 18 November 2018