By Joan Grey
With just three rounds left in this season’s Lotto NRFL Women’s Premier League, every point is crucial.
Second position on the table, final placings and a good deal of pride are all on the line.
Two of the top four teams — Western Springs and Eastern Suburbs — go head to head in a fixture sure to be intense with second place at stake. Only one point separates them on the table.
The Auckland United v Northern Rovers match has been postponed as both sides are in the semi-finals of the Kate Sheppard Cup on Saturday.
Main photo: Ellerslie celebrate after scoring … will they be celebrating on Sunday? Photo: Joan Grey.
READ MORE: Click here for the eight teams to qualify for the Women’s National League >>>>
Here’s this weekend’s fixtures with our pick for the featured game:
Sunday
Ellerslie (5th) v West Coast Rangers (6th)
Michaels Ave Reserve, Auckland
3pm kick-off
In another great match-up, Ellerslie face West Coast Rangers at Michael’s Ave Reserve on Sunday. The previous fixture between these two sides saw a closely contested 1-1 draw.
Last weekend, Ellerslie showed strong form to secure a 2-2 draw with unbeaten league leaders Northern Rovers, away at McFetridge Park. In the 87th minute, Sarah Carpenter found the back of the net to equalise.
West Coast Rangers, new to the Women’s Premier League in 2022, have held their own in strong company, having won five games and drawn four.
Last Sunday, West Coast Rangers were victorious against Tauranga City (8th) with a 2-0 win, closing the gap on Ellerslie to two points. A triumph this weekend would see them leapfrog Ellerslie into 5th on the table.
Other fixtures (with current league placings)
Friday
Western Springs (4th) v Eastern Suburbs (2nd)
Seddon Fields, Auckland
7.30pm kick-off
Saturday
Auckland United (3rd) v Northern Rovers (1st)
Keith Hay Park, Auckland
3pm kick-off
Sunday
Tauranga City (8th) v Hamilton Wanderers (7th)
Links Ave Reserve, Tauranga
1pm kick-off
How they stand
Last weekend’s games
Click here to read our round-up of results from last weekend >>>>
Joan Grey
Friends of Football writer Joan Grey loves playing and writing about football. She captains the Strathallan College Girls First XI and represents Franklin United in the NRF Women’s Championship.