Auckland United have moved into second place on the Lotto NRFL Women’s Premier League table with a crushing 8-1 win against bottom-placed Tauranga City.
United did the damage in a ruthless first half when they motored to a 7-0 half-time lead.
Prue Catton led the way with a first half hat-trick while Ruby Nathan scored a double.
Nathan opened the scoring after 14 minutes.
Alosi Bloomfield added a second three minutes later and almost from the restart, Catton scored her first of the day.
Tauranga, who have struggled since earning promotion to the WPL this year, were reeling, and Sophie Williams extended the lead to 4-0 after 24 minutes.
As half-time approached, United put their foot to the floor again, scoring three goals in quick succession.
Catton completed her hat-trick with goals in the 37th and 41st minutes; Nathan grabbed her second in the 43rd minute.
Full marks to Tauranga for stemming the flow in the second half.
They pulled back a goal through Abi Whitney-Collins after 69 minutes.
They conceded only once more, through an own goal credited to substitute Bailey Payne.
Match programme: Click on cover to read Auckland United’s match programme.
The win at Keith Hay Park lifts United above Western Springs and within a point of Northern Rovers who have a game in hand.
That game is on Sunday (May 22) when Rovers host fourth-placed Eastern Suburbs.
A win to Suburbs would certainly make the title chase interesting, with four sides in the hunt.
Main photo: Ruby Nathan (right) … a double for United. File photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.
Result
Game played Saturday May 21, 2022
Auckland United 8 (Ruby Nathan14′, 43′, Alosi Bloomfield 17′, Prue Catton 18′, 37′, 41′, Sophie Williams 24′, own goal 75′)
Tauranga City 1 (Abi Whitney-Collins 69′)
Standings
Thanks
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