The last words from an action-packed final matchweek of the ISPS Handa Women's Premiership.

Central Football 2 (Mikaela Boxall 45+1’; Aniela Jensen 56’)

Southern United 3 (Renee Bacon 45+9’; Amy Hislop 58’; Macey Fraser 68’)

Mikaela Boxall, Central Football captain
“It was a tough game, I think for both teams and especially with the stoppage in the middle. But I think as a team we're really happy with how we've played, and were lucky not to take at least something from the game.

“We come in week in, week out and the girls put in so much time and effort into, into the season. So it is what it is. But we'll move on to next year.”
 

Rose Morton, Southern United captain (and former Central player)
“Central put us through the ringer, they didn't let us have it easy. And I think it could've gone either way today. We started off a bit slow this season, couldn't really find the back of the net and, um, had been rough games at the start, but towards the end we got there.

“The first win of the season last week against WaiBOP lifted us up and this win against Central has been a great way to finish the last game for the season. I was happy - playing against the old rival has been great.”

Canterbury United Pride 2 (Lily Bray 79’; Annalie Longo 86’)

Northern Lights 0

Alana Gunn, Canterbury United Pride head coach
“I'm pumped, and I thought the girls were outstanding today. We said a clean sheet will get us into a final, regardless of the point system, and they did that really well. I thought we defended extremely well, we really shut down whatever they throw at us. And then, you know, really capitalizing the last cut of 20 minutes with our subs making an impact off the bench again, which is really pleasing to see.”

Ben Bate, Northern Lights head coach
“I thought in the first half we possibly had the two cleaner chances. I think Liz [Savage] had a really good opportunity, and Sam Tawharu did as well. And unfortunately we didn't finish the right side of the post, and Una [Foyle] made a save for Liz’s.

“Coming in at half time obviously we knew we needed to win and were pretty happy with the fact that we hadn't conceded a goal, and we'd had a couple of good chances as well. Obviously the longer the half went on, the more we have to kind of push for the goal because we needed to score. Unfortunately just as we were about to really roll the dice we conceded off a corner, which was a bit of a goalmouth scramble and these things happen, unfortunately.”

WaiBOP 4 (Grace Wisnewski 18’; Michaela Foster 81’; Chelsea Elliott 88’; Stella Neems 90+4’)

Auckland Football 4 (Daisy Cleverley 35’; Tayla O’Brien 42’, 61’; Rina Hirano 57’)

Kate Loye, WaiBOP midfielder

“They were an amazing team, just passing balls around us, but I think our girls kind of just thought, ‘you know, we've got nothing to lose, just keep going’, and we came back for a four-all draw.

“We just had nothing to lose. We've had up and down season, but stoked to come back. I know we didn't win, but I think kudos to our girls to keep pushing hard in that last bit. We have a young team and it's always different coming straight into national women's league, getting used to the players around you, but I think we should be really, really proud of ourselves and finish on a high.”

Emma Pijnenburg, Auckland Football defender

“Maybe there was a bit of miscommunication and unlucky bounces. I mean the keeper made some good saves and then an unlucky deflection. We worked really hard, but sometimes, you know, things happen. We worked so hard all season, and we just wanted to go and show it on our last game. We worked really hard all game, so I think we’re proud of ourselves regardless of the score.”

Article added: Tuesday 15 December 2020