By Joan Grey
The Lotto NRFL Women’s Premiership reaches its thrilling final round this weekend with one remaining National League qualifying chance on the line.
Champions Auckland United have secured the Premiership title, three National League qualifying spots are in the bag, and relegation is settled. But the fourth-place final ticket to National League stardom is still up in the air.
Depending on their results on Sunday, either Eastern Suburbs or Fencibles United will qualify for the National League.
Suburbs are cast as underdogs in their fixture against West Coast Rangers, while Fencibles are favourites to win against lower-placed Hibiscus Coast.
As with all things football, anything can happen.
On Tuesday night, Auckland United were crowned Lotto NRFL Women’s Premiership champions in emphatic fashion, following their 4-1 victory over closet rivals Rangers.
Auckland United’s success marks a third consecutive Premiership title for Head Coach Ben Bate: with Northern Rovers in 2022, followed by back-to-back success with Auckland United in 2023 and 2024.
Auckland United are hauling in trophies this season. They’ve now added the Premiership to their OFC Champions League title and could add more silverware when they face Western Springs in the Kate Sheppard Cup final on September 7.
READ MORE: Auckland United chasing a trophy clean sweep after taking Premiership title >>>>
The battle at the tail end of the table saw Hamilton Wanderers’ valiant efforts fall short. Despite a spirited 2-1 upset win over Western Springs, their subsequent loss to Coast on Wednesday night sealed their relegation fate.
Wanderers take on seventh-placed Ellerslie, in a match that, while inconsequential for the table, offers the relegated side a chance to end their season on a positive note.
Wednesday night also saw Springs cement a guaranteed top-four finish and National League qualification. Megan Lee’s extra-time goal clinched them a crucial 3-2 victory over rivals Fencibles.
Springs test themselves against the newly-crowned champions Auckland United on Sunday. A victory or draw for Auckland United would cap off their unbeaten season.
Game of the week
Eastern Suburbs face a do-or-die battle in their season finale against the West Coast Rangers.
A victory for Suburbs would secure them a top-four finish and a National League berth, but the odds are stacked against them.
Should Suburbs falter, they’ll be hoping for a Fencibles loss to Hibiscus Coast to still finish in the top four.
Rangers have been dominant this season and cemented runner-up position on the table. They’ve lost only to champions Auckland United in the league and have bested Suburbs twice: 2-1 in May and 4-2 in July.
Suburbs can draw confidence from their recent slim 0-1 loss to league champions Auckland United.
They’ve proved they can stand toe-to-toe with the league’s best and have a real fighting chance going into Sunday’s clash.
For Suburbs, this match carries the weight of their season’s aspirations. For Rangers, it’s an opportunity to reinforce their status as a league juggernaut and finish the season strong.
Player to watch
Fencibles’ rising star Millee ‘The Flash’ Loxton, at just 17, has proven a dynamic and pacy force in attack this season.
The young converted midfielder has found her calling as a striker and shares top goalscorer kudos at Fencibles alongside captain Rosie Missen.
Loxton’s pace and relentless work rate have caught the eye of national age group selectors, earning her spots in New Zealand U-17 training camps.
Bold prediction
The stakes are sky-high for Fencibles on Sunday.
They need a victory over Hibiscus Coast, and for Suburbs to fall to Rangers, to proceed to the National League.
Fencibles have prevailed over Coast twice this season. But both matches were competitive, ending 2-1 and 3-1.
With everything to play for, I’m backing Fencibles to eke out another hard-fought 2-1 triumph.
Golden Boot
16 — Shannon Henson (West Coast Rangers)
14 — Danica Urlich-Beech (Hibiscus Coast)
13 — Charlotte Roche (Auckland United)
11 — Bree Johnson (West Coast Rangers), Zoe Benson (Eastern Suburbs), Sofia Garia (Eastern Suburbs)
10 — Rene Wasi (Auckland United)
8 — Alexis Cook (Auckland United), Emily Lyon (West Coast Rangers)
6 — Lily Brazendale (Hamilton Wanderers), Megan Lee (Western Springs), Anelise Karakostas (West Coast Rangers)
5 — Chloe Knott (Auckland United), Rosie Missen (Fencibles United), Millee Loxton (Fencibles United), Rina Hirano (Western Springs), Kitty Jacob (Western Springs), Rina Hirano (Western Springs)
4 — Angela Pivac (Auckland United), Arisa Takeda (Western Springs), Catherine Smith (West Coast Rangers), Maddison Ollington (Hamilton Wanderers), Maia Lythe (Western Springs), Marissa Porteous (West Coast Rangers), Shion Hwang (Eastern Suburbs), Talisha Green (Auckland United)
Fixtures
Games to be played on Sunday September 1, 2024
West Coast Rangers v Eastern Suburbs
Fred Taylor Park, Whenuapai, 1pm
Western Springs v Auckland United
Seddon Fields, Westmere, 1pm
Hibiscus Coast v Fencibles United
Stanmore Bay Park, Whangaparaoa, 1pm
Ellerslie v Hamilton Wanderers
Michaels Ave, Ellerslie, 1pm
Joan Grey
Friends of Football writer Joan Grey loves playing and writing about football.
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