What a day it was on Sunday for our Auckland United FC Premier Women’s team who claimed a first ever Premiership title for the club on a sunny afternoon at Keith Hay Park in front of all our fans.

Not since 2017 when Three Kings United won the league has this feat been achieved, an incredible result for this young team.

The women put on a spectacular show worthy of Champions with Chelsea Elliot opening proceedings early in the 2nd minute. That strike was followed in quick succession by another fantastic effort from Talisha Green in the 3rd minute, the two having unusually been given a license to thrill, starting this match up in the front line.

A 2 - 0 lead so early after just 3 minutes, on such a big day, seemed too good to be true but it just kept on coming.

The football was free flowing and although Springs weren’t without the odd chance it could have been 3 or 4 - 0 inside the first 10 minutes, and it didn’t take much longer for them to extend the lead.

Alongside Elliot and Green, Bree Johnson formed a formidable front trio and was equally impressive throughout, cutting in from the left before jinking into the box and going close herself before Elliot picked up the deflection and guided it into the back of the net for her second goal on 26 minutes.

Western Springs pulled one back almost immediately after halftime to make it 3 - 1, but any hope of a comeback was short lived with Chelsea Elliot striking again, bringing up her hat trick in glorious fashion to put the result beyond doubt in the 50th minute.

Fresh off signing with Canberra United earlier in the week, Ruby Nathan was called upon in the 56th minute to take a penalty and she slotted it like a pro before immediately being put on cotton wool.

After emptying the bench AUFC lost some shape but the Premiership title had surely been secured and at the final whistle there was delight and relief, the Championship having come down to an exciting finale in the final round of the season.

This was a great season for such a young team who have been well supported by their quality coaching team and wider support staff throughout.

To our departing professionals Ruby Nathan (Canberra United), Chloe Knott and Marisa van der Meer (Wellington Phoenix FC) we thank you for your service and wish you all the best for the upcoming Liberty A-League season.

For the rest of the squad it’s back to work in a few weeks time in the National League Championship!

A special thanks to all of the players, coaching staff and wider support network who have done an incredible job putting in the mountains of work required to win the 2023 Lotto NRFL Premiership:

PLAYERS

Emmelin BOWELA, Penny BRILL, Olivia BROWN, Danielle CANHAM, Sarah CARPENTER, Alexis COOK, Maisy DEWELL, Breeze DURHAM, Chelsea ELLIOT, Issy GERRANDA, lania GRANGER, Talisha GREEN, Suya HAERING, Shannon HENSON, Amberly HOLLIS, Bree JOHNSON, Chloe KNOTT, Stella LAWSON, Greer MacINTOSH, Kate McCONNELL, Ruby NATHAN, Manami NISHIO, Poppy O'BRIEN, Jessica PHILPOT, Nadinne ROBBERTS, Marisa VAN DER MEER, Maya VINCE, ReneWASI.

STAFF

Ben Bate (Head Coach), Kath Broad (Physio), Geno Granger (Assistant Coach), Brian Haycock (Manager) Andriete Rodrigues (Strength & Conditioning), Olivia Sprott (Physio) Isaac Tetteh (Goalkeeping Coach).