By Joan Grey
Entering round three of the Lotto NRFL Women’s Premiership, West Coast Rangers and Fencibles United lead the table but defending champions Auckland United lurk close behind with a game in hand.
Auckland United, who won the OFC Women’s Champions League last month, lived up to their billing last weekend.
In their first match of the season, they toppled Ellerslie 4-0, and former Wellington Phoenix players Chloe Knott and Saskia Vosper made appearances off the Auckland United bench.
Hamiltonians can catch Auckland United in action against Wanderers on Sunday.
Game of the week
The green-clad clubs Western Springs and Hibiscus Coast meet on Friday night at Seddon Fields.
Coast, having clinched the U-19 Tournament in Napier last year, boast plenty of youth talent within their line-up and will be eager to notch their first win after losing 1-3 to West Coast Rangers in their season opener last weekend.
Western Springs secured a 1-0 victory over Eastern Suburbs with Anya Stephan’s 62nd-minute goal last weekend.
Springs’ largely new line-up this season suggests unpredictability and surprises.
In their last match, only two starting players, Tiana Hill and Megan Lee, returned from the Springs starting eleven that triumphed in last year’s Kate Sheppard Cup final.
Player to watch
New Zealand U-19 player Zoe Benson (17) scored eight goals for Suburbs in last year’s Women’s Premiership, after joining the club from Bucklands Beach for the 2022 season.
The technically talented and highly-skilled midfielder may provide the x-factor against Fencibles on Friday.
Bold prediction
Fencibles clash with Eastern Suburbs at Riverhills Park on Sunday.
Premiership newcomers Fencibles are off to a flying start with two wins in their first two games. But they’ll face their toughest test yet against league heavyweights Suburbs.
I’ll pick a 1-1 stalemate.
Fixtures
Games to be played on Friday April 5, 2024
West Coast Rangers v Ellerslie
Fred Taylor Park, Whenuapai, 7.30pm
Western Springs v Hibiscus Coast
Seddon Fields, Westmere, 7.30pm
Games to be played on Sunday April 7, 2024
Auckland United v Hamilton Wanderers
Keith Hay Park, Mt Roskill, 1pm
Fencibles United v Eastern Suburbs
Riverhills Park, Pakuranga, 2pm
Joan Grey
Friends of Football writer Joan Grey loves playing and writing about football.
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