By Joan Grey
Two National League spots are still up for grabs, and all six chasing teams are mathematically capable of nabbing a qualifying spot.
Auckland United and West Coast Rangers have already secured enough points to guarantee a top-four finish and their ticket to the National League.
With six games to go, it’s still possible for any two of the other six Lotto NRFL Women’s Premiership teams to finish third or fourth on the Women’s Premiership ladder and qualify for the National League.
Squad depth will be tested in the coming weeks as teams farewell some of their talented young players departing for US colleges.
Game of the week
Sunday’s match between Eastern Suburbs and Western Springs will likely influence who else advances to the National League.
Fifth-placed Springs are chasing Suburbs on the ladder, four points behind. A win for Springs would close the gap and bring them within striking range of Suburbs.
Spicing things up, New Zealand U-20 representative Ella Findlay recently transferred from Suburbs to Springs.
Findlay is expected to bolster Springs’ backline against her former teammates.
Home advantage at Seddon Fields favours the green and white hoops, who haven’t been beaten at home since May. But the Lilywhites hold a psychological edge, having won their previous encounter 2-1.
Player to watch
Hamilton Wanderers’ youngster Lily Brazendale (18) has scored six goals this season.
A versatile forward, Brazendale has pace and a knack for scoring rockets from outside of the box, and with both feet.
She’ll pose a real threat for the Fencibles backline on Sunday.
Bold prediction
West Coast Rangers’ 2-2 draw against Western Springs last weekend earned them the crucial point needed to guarantee their national league spot.
Rangers have exorcised the ghosts of last season when they narrowly missed out on the National League by a single point.
Hibiscus Coast could present a challenge on Sunday but I’m picking the upbeat Rangers to win; let’s say they’ll do it with a 3-1 scoreline.
Golden Boot
13 — Danica Urlich-Beech (Hibiscus Coast)
12 — Shannon Henson (West Coast Rangers)
10 — Bree Johnson (West Coast Rangers), Sofia Garia (Eastern Suburbs), Zoe Benson (Eastern Suburbs)
9 — Rene Wasi (Auckland United), Charlotte Roche (Auckland United)
7 — Alexis Cook (Auckland United)
6 — Lily Brazendale (Hamilton Wanderers)
5 — Chloe Knott (Auckland United), Rosie Missen (Fencibles United), Megan Lee (Western Springs)
4 — Anelise Karakostas (West Coast Rangers), Angela Pivac (Auckland United), Catherine Smith (West Coast Rangers), Emily Lyon (West Coast Rangers), Maia Lythe (Western Springs), Millee Loxton (Fencibles United), Talisha Green (Auckland United)
Fixtures
Games to be played on Sunday July 28, 2024
Hamilton Wanderers v Fencibles United
Porritt Stadium, Hamilton, 1pm
Hibiscus Coast v West Coast Rangers
Stanmore Bay Park, Whangaparaoa, 1pm
Ellerslie v Auckland United
Michaels Ave, Ellerslie, 3pm
Eastern Suburbs v Western Springs
Madills Farm, St Heliers, 3pm
Joan Grey
Friends of Football writer Joan Grey loves playing and writing about football.
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