Northern Rovers have one hand on the Lotto NRFL Women’s Premier League trophy after a 2-1 win against nearest rivals Western Springs boosted their lead to nine points — and with a game in hand.
In a day when 22 goals were scored in the four FPL fixtures, and not a clean sheet in sight, all the games provided contests with three tight finishes.
Here’s our round-up of latest games:
Foster penalty decides top-of-the-table fixture
A penalty by Michaela Foster proved to be the deciding factor in Northern Rovers’ 2-1 top-of-the-table win against Western Springs at McFetridge Park.
The two title rivals had played out a scoreless first half but Rovers took the lead through an own goal by Springs goalkeeper Angelique Tuisamoa in the 66th minute.
That sparked a comeback from Springs who levelled five minutes later through Jess Innes.
Foster, in her first season with Rovers after moving to Auckland from Hamilton Wanderers, put away the 75th penalty that clinched the win.
It was her seventh goal of the season, moving her into third place on the Golden Boot table (behind Eastern Suburbs’ Juliette Lewis and Deven Jackson).
Main photo: Northern Rovers’ Michaela Foster … scored the winner from the penalty spot. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.
Late goals snatch draw for Ellerslie at Auckland United
Two late goals by Ellerslie denied Auckland United a win at Keith Hay Park where the sides fought out a 2-2 draw.
United took the lead in the first minute through Martine Puketapu and Prue Catton added a second midway through the half.
Turning round with a 2-0 lead, United looked good for the points until the game entered its final minute.
Kathryn Gow reduced the deficit to 2-1 in the 90th minute, and Kimberley Oosterbeek grabbed an equaliser three minutes into added time.
The dropping of two points saw United fall to fourth on the table.
Goalfest at Links Ave as Suburbs continue in scoring mood
Tauranga City may have struggled in terms of league position in their first season of WPL football but there’s no denying their willingness to take on opponents.
They went toe-to-toe with last season’s champions, losing 7-3 at Links Ave.
Suburbs were inspired by a first-half hat-trick from the division’s joint leading scorer, Deven Jackson.
She struck twice, in the 30th and 40th minutes, before Talia Entwistle pulled one back for the home side.
On half-time, Jackson completed her hat-trick to give Suburbs a 3-1 half-time lead.
In the second spell, Annie Byrne (48′), Saki Yoshida (50′) and substitute Nicole Cooper (60′ and 77′) pushed Suburbs’ lead out to 7-1.
But Tauranga weren’t done. They fought back with late goals from Abi Witney-Collins (83′) and captain Emma Cawte (87′) to restore some pride.
After a slow start to the season, Suburbs are hitting their straps — they have become the first team to reach 40 goals for the season.
Early goals get Wanderers home for second win of the season
Hamilton Wanderers won for the second time this season, beating West Coast Rangers 3-2 at Porritt Stadium.
Former international Helen Arjomandi got the home side off to a flyer with a goal in the 4th minute.
Recent signing Iona Love doubled the Hamilton side’s lead with a goal after ten minutes, and the sides went into half-time with the home side leading 2-0.
Rangers made a second half comeback, scoring through Cara Lonergan on the hour, and through Te Waiariki Read with ten minutes to go.
But Arjomandi struck back almost immediately, scoring what turned out to be the winner in the 82nd minute.
Meanwhile, Rangers were reduced to 10 players for the game’s late stages when Luci Hollister was red carded for deliberate handball.
Results
Games played Sunday July 3, 2022
Northern Rovers 2 (own goal 66′, Michaela Foster 75′ pen)
Western Springs 1 (Jess Innes 71′)
Auckland United 2 (Martine Puketapu 1′, Prue Catton 21′)
Ellerslie 2 (Kathryn Gow 90′, Kimberley Oosterbeek 90+3′)
Hamilton Wanderers 3 (Helen Arjomandi 4′, 82′, Iona Love 10′)
West Coast Rangers 2 (Cara Lonergan 61′, Te Waiariki Read 79′)
Tauranga City 3 (Talia Entwistle 43′, Abi Witney-Collins 83′, Emma Cawte 87′)
Eastern Suburbs 7 (Deven Jackson 30′, 40′, 45′, Annie Byrne 48′, Saki Yoshida 50′, Nicole Cooper 60′, 77′)
Standings
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