It’s the end of the National League Championship’s first round and we’ve saved the best for last as we finally have the face-off between the two title contenders we’ve all been waiting for, as Western Springs host Eastern Suburbs at Seddon Fields tonight at 7.30.

The table tells the story: these two are the unbeaten runaway leaders of the National League Championship.

After dropping points over the long weekend – a 1-1 draw with NRFL champions Northern Rovers, Western Springs is the first team of this unbeaten duo the drop points as they rounded out the second game of the double weekend drawing with Northern Rovers.

Eastern Suburbs, meanwhile, allowed themselves a pre-Halloween scare against Auckland United on Labour Day, going into half time 2-0 down and being two goals behind for the first time all season. Yet they rallied in the second half, with the comeback started by (who else) golden boot leader Tayla O’Brien in the 56th minute, Nicole Mettam equalising in the 73rd, and Zoe Benson marking her return from the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup with the winner four minutes from the 90.

So who will win tonight?

Looking back at the NRFL season, Springs have had the upper hand in terms of league results, winning two clashes to Suburbs’ one – but Suburbs finished two points ahead of Springs. Delve into the formbook a little closer and you’ll see that the home advantage has played its part, with both games at Seddon Fields being taken out by Springs, and Suburbs taking three points at Madill’s Farm. Alternatively, both Sofia Garcia and Rina Hirano scored a goal apiece in both Springs wins – could the secret actually be that if those two both score, Springs will win?

Either way, tonight’s game will help set up a mouth-watering final clash of the season at Madills Farm on 9 December, when it’s Suburbs’ turn to host. Will that game turn out to be the dress rehearsal for the Grand Final dance?

Western Springs host Eastern Suburbs tonight at Seddon Fields, 7.30pm kick-off

Article added: Friday 28 October 2022