By Jonno Ross
With other clubs tied up with Kate Sheppard Cup fixtures, the Lotto NRFL Women’s Premier League has only one fixture this weekend.
Here’s what we can expect:
Sunday
Eastern Suburbs (4th) v Western Springs (2nd)
Madills Farm, Auckland
1pm kick-off
With their rivals not playing in the WPL this week, both these teams will fancy the chance to sneak a jump on them.
A win for Eastern Suburbs would see them remain fourth, two points behind Auckland United, but four points in front of West Coast Rangers.
A win for Western Springs would see them draw level on points with first-placed Northern Rovers.
However, if Springs could beat Suburbs by more than four goals, they would go top of the table on goal difference.
That’s plenty of incentive for bold performances from these sides.
Suburbs will want revenge on Western Springs who came out on top in round five with a 3-1 win, and will hope striker Jade Parris has her shooting boots on again, after scoring five goals in her last two games.
The same can be said for Western Springs who need a striker on form, and they have Rina Hirano, who has scored four goals in two games, and a hat-trick last week against Ellerslie.
It’s an important game for both teams — a loss for Suburbs could see them out of contention for the league title but a win would see them in with a fighting chance of retaining their title.
A loss for Western Springs would give Northern Rovers the impetus to extend their lead at the top to six points but a win would keep them right on their tails.
Everything to play for in this game; I think I might get along to watch!
How they stand
Last weekend’s games
Click here to read our round-up of results from last weekend >>>>
Jonno Ross
Friends of Football writer Jonno Ross is a former New Zealand U-20 goalkeeper who is the team manager for Mount Albert Ponsonby. He supports the All Whites, the Football Ferns, the Wellington Phoenix and Arsenal.
More Lotto NRFL news
