Important results at both ends of the Lotto NRFL Women’s Premier League table saw one team closer to the title and another take a big step clear of bottom spot.
Northern Rovers registered win number 14 in their top-of-the-table clash with reigning champs Eastern Suburbs.
Meanwhile, Hamilton Wanderers moved three points further ahead of bottom-placed Tauranga City with an important win against Ellerslie.
Here’s our round-up of latest games:
Rovers continue unbeaten run with win at Suburbs
Northern Rovers have one hand on the Lotto NRFL Women’s Premier League trophy after beating Eastern Suburbs 3-2 in a top-of-the-table clash at Madills Farm.
The win came courtesy of a strong second-half performance from Rovers who had trailed 1-0 at half-time.
The game’s opening goal had come from Suburbs’ Nicole Cooper in the 34th minute.
The match swung in a two-minute spell just before the hour mark when Leanna Ryan scored twice, her first in the 57th minute and her second in the 59th minute.
That prompted a response from the home side who levelled through Tayla O’Brien in the 69th minute.
But Rovers struck back, landing the winner through Chelsea Elliott in the 72nd minute.
With six games remaining, and their nearest rivals having to play each other, the calculators will soon come out to see how quickly Rovers can confirm their title.
And having taken 43 points from a possible 45 so far, Rovers supporters must also be wondering whether it’s possible the side can go undefeated in 2022.
Arjomandi grabs last-minute winner for happy Wanderers
Former Football Ferns striker Helen Arjomandi struck a last-minute winner for Hamilton Wanderers as they beat Ellerslie 2-1 at Porritt Stadium.
The win creates a six-point buffer between Wanderers and bottom-placed Tauranga City.
Wanderers showed spirit to come back from behind after Sarah Carpenter had given the Ponies a lead after 30 minutes.
Ayla Koopu levelled for the home side after 40 minutes, taking the sides into half-time at 1-1.
When the game seemed destined to be a draw, Arjomandi got in the telling blow to earn her side what could prove to be a valuable win when the final table is settled.
Springs come from behind to overhaul Rangers
Western Springs fought back from a first half deficit to beat West Coast Rangers 2-1 at Fred Taylor Park.
Rangers had taken the lead through Chloe Bellamy in the 28th minute.
That was good enough to give the home side a 1-0 lead at half-time.
In the second spell, captain Sofia Garcia found an equaliser in the 55th minute.
Ten minutes later, substitute Rina Hirano put Springs ahead for the first time in the game, a lead they never surrendered.
Results
Eastern Suburbs 2 (Nicole Cooper 34′, Tayla O’Brien 69′)
Northern Rovers 3 (Leanna Ryan 57′, 59′, Chelsea Elliott 72′)
Hamilton Wanderers 2 (Ayla Koopu 40’, Helen Arjomandi 90’)
Ellerslie 1 (Sarah Carpenter 30’)
West Coast Rangers 1 (Chloe Bellamy 28’)
Western Springs 2 (Sofia Garcia 55’, Rina Hirano 65’)
Game played Saturday July 30, 2022
Tauranga City 1 (Abi Witney-Collins 18′)
Auckland United 2 (Bree Johnson 9′, Martine Puketapu 63′)
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