By Joan Grey
Lotto NRFL Women’s Championship table-toppers Tauranga Moana and Onehunga Sports go head-to-head for the last time this season.
With a seven-point cushion, Tauranga appear to have one hand on the title.
But a stumble against Onehunga could cut their lead, giving hope to Franklin United in third position, lurking with a game in hand.
Tauranga and Onehunga have a mixed history.
Onehunga got the upper hand in May with a 5-3 win, but Tauranga retaliated in July with a 4-0 victory.
Onehunga will be wise to contain Tauranga’s dangerous attack, particularly Briana Osbourne and Grace Duncan, who have notched an impressive 17 and 16 goals respectively this season.
In Sandringham, Central United welcome Melville United to Kiwitea Steet. Central recently closed the gap to just four points behind Melville.
Franklin United and Birkenhead United might experience deja vu this week, playing each other twice within three days.
On Thursday night, they squared off in their postponed match at Shepherds Park, and Franklin came away with a 3-1 win.
On Sunday, the stage shifts to Franklin’s home turf Drury Sports Complex.
Rounding out the weekend action, Walter Massey Park will host a clash between Manukau United and Northern Rovers.
Golden Boot
23 — Britney Cunningham-Lee (Franklin United)
17 — Briana Osborne (Tauranga Moana)
16 — Grace Duncan (Tauranga Moana)
15— Sarah Carpenter (Franklin United)
12 — Annie Byrne (Onehunga Sports), Laura Bennett (Melville United)
10 — Ivy Calonne (Northern Rovers)
9 — Abi-Witney Collins (Tauranga Moana), Pip Meo (Onehunga Sports)
8 — Holly Patterson (Onehunga Sports), Sylvia McDougall (Central United), Chloe Marthe (Franklin United)
7 — Kerri-Ann Jones (Tauranga Moana),
6 — Abby Chad (Birkenhead United), Jaime Govind (Birkenhead United), Robyn Fisher (Onehunga Sports)
5 — Kate Mori (Tauranga Moana), Mia Humphrey (Melville United), Anita Gross (Central United), Ella Golding (Tauranga Moana)
Fixtures
Games to be played on Sunday August 25, 2024
Franklin United v Birkenhead United
Drury Sports Complex, Drury, 1pm
Central United v Melville United
Kiwitea St, Sandringham, 1pm
Onehunga Sports v Tauranga Moana
Waikaraka Park, Onehunga, 1pm
Manukau United v Northern Rovers
Walter Massey Park, Manukau, 1pm
Joan Grey
Friends of Football writer Joan Grey loves playing and writing about football.
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