Three experienced Football Ferns Annalie Longo, Sarah Gregorius and Anna Green have played leading hands in securing wins for their federations in the Heritage Week of the National Women’s League.

New Zealand Football highlighted Match Week Eight as an opportunity to celebrate the history and legacy of the National Leagues in the Heritage Week and it was the older and seasoned campaigners who continued to set the standard. 

Frontrunners Canterbury United Pride, who suffered their first loss of the season last week against defending champions Auckland, were once again superbly led by their skipper Longo in a 3-1 victory over WaiBOP in Hamilton.

Longo, who made her debut in the National Women’s League as a 14-year-old, opened the scoring for the form team of the competition in the 12^th minute.

Soon after, former NZ U-17 rep Whitney Hepburn found the back of the net and the Pride were in control at Gower Park. WaiBOP, who defeated Central 3-0 in Match Week Six, got back into the game when Emma Cawte found the back of the net with a stunning strike in injury time of the first half.

But Canterbury dominated proceedings after the break and did everything but score until Longo set up Cody Taylor to score in the 82^nd minute to put the game to bed.

The Pride remain at the top of the table on 21 points, seven points clear of the Northern Lights and Auckland who have a game in hand. The Lights play Southern tomorrow in Dunedin, while Auckland have the bye. 

Meanwhile further south, Capital continued their recent strong form when they defeated Central 5-0 in a local derby in wet and cold conditions at Memorial Park.

The fourth-placed Capital defeated Southern United 3-1 last weekend and they backed that up with a big win that was set up by doubles from both captain Gregorius and defender Green.

Capital move to 13 points, one point back from Northern and Auckland, after seven games. Evans paid tribute to Football Ferns Gregorius and Green for the way they led the side.

“The impact that Grego and Greeny have is undoubtedly huge. Having that experience and that extra grit they bring to the field will be hard to match. It is Greeny’s first time on the scoresheet this season so she will go into Ferns’ camp happy with two goals to her name,” she said.

“In their absence it is exciting for the other players to step up now as Grego and Greeny represent New Zealand on the world stage.”

Capital took the lead early when Green, who has played 67 A Internationals for the Ferns and returned to the National Women’s League this season, delivered a special strike. Green curled the ball into the top right corner from outside the box in the 13^th minute.

Minutes later, Gregorius continued her rich vein of form in front of goal. The Ferns forward slotted the ball into the bottom left corner after a loose ball fell at her feet in the box.

It was a lead that Capital held until half time and after the break they turned into the wind and Emma Main scrambled one home to make it 3-0.

The home team finished with a flourish. Gregorius delivered a smart finish in the 81^st minute when the Central defence failed to clear the ball. Green also had a double when Gregorius got the ball in behind and her long-time Ferns team-mate was good enough to put it away.

New Football Ferns coach Tom Sermanni arrives into New Zealand next week and he will be thrilled to see three key members of his OFC Women’s Nations Cup squad leading the way in the National Women’s League.

National Women’s League Match Week Eight Results
Capital 5 (Anna Green 12’, 90’ + 1’, Sarah Gregorius 21’, 81’, Emma Main 51’)
Central 0
HT: 2-0

WaiBOP 1 (Emma Cawte 45’ + 2’)
Canterbury United Pride 3 (Annalie Longo 14’, Whitney Hepburn 26’, Cody Taylor 82’)
HT: 1-1

For the National Women’s League table click here

Article added: Saturday 03 November 2018