Auckland United FC solidify position at top of Women’s Premiership table
West Coast Rangers vs Auckland United FC | Lotto NRFL Women's Premiership | Round 13
Auckland United FC Premier Women have extended their lead at the top of the Lotto NRFL Women’s Premiership table to 4 points with a 3 - 0 win over closest rivals West Coast Rangers.
Rangers fielded a couple of recent AUFC players including Bree Johnson and Shannon Henson and were off to a flyer at Fred Taylor Park when they had the ball in the back of the net in just the 2nd minute, only for it to be called back for offside.
With Rangers dominating possession for much of the opening half hour, United were able to strike against the tide from a rare corner in the 33rd minute with Greer Macintosh pouncing on a loose ball to nudge home for a 1 - 0 lead.
That strike began a momentum shift that carried through into the second half where United were dominant on the ball and didn’t give Rangers much of anything while creating plenty of chances and collecting two more goals.
An excellent effort from Alexis Cook in the 55th minute confirmed the tide had well and truly turned and by the time head coach Ben Bate had emptied the bench the side were playing with freedom and confidence.
After a number of chances went begging it was substitute Charlotte Roche who iced the cake with a calm finish in the 90th minute, confirming their position as competition front-runners.
Their 8th clean sheet of the season means their goal difference has blown out to a whopping 41 goals, with 47 goals scored and just 6 conceded the entire Premiership season, a remarkable achievement.
With the recent addition of stars such as Football Ferns Michaela Foster (Wellington Phoenix) and Ruby Nathan (Canberra United) alongside former Phoenix players Chloe Knott and Saskia Vosper, the squad has a formidable feel about it as we approach the business end of the Premiership title defence.
A win in their next match vs Western Springs will see them qualify to defend their National League Championship title with 7 rounds still to play!
With this team also still in the hunt for the Kate Sheppard Cup, could we be looking at a potential triple crown winning side here?
