PREVIEW: Double dose of pressure in Lotto NRFL Women's Premiership clashes

By Joan Grey

This weekend’s Lotto NRFL Women’s Premiership offers only two fixtures, but both carry significant weight.

One influences qualification for the Women’s National League, and the other shapes potential relegation.

Hibiscus Coast travel to the Waikato to take on Hamilton Wanderers.

In the previous round, Coast delivered a stunning 3-0 triumph over Eastern Suburbs, their first victory after four losses.

For Wanderers, the situation is dire and the trap door is beckoning.

Pinned to the bottom of the ladder with just three matches remaining, they trail seventh-placed Ellerslie by five points.

A win is essential for Wanderers to cling to the Premiership lifeline.

*Hamilton Wanderers’ Lily Brazendale turns after scoring against Ellerslie. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.*

Coast have the upperhand, on paper, having secured convincing wins over Wanderers on both previous occasions this season.

But Wanderers’ home advantage and self-belief could tip the scales when they need it most.

At Madills Farm, Suburbs will host neighbours and foes Ellerslie.

Suburbs are chasing a top-four finish and National League qualification.

Last weekend, the absence of key players proved costly, and a slip-up against Coast saw them drop vital points. The result has left them in fifth place, trailing Western Springs and Fencibles United.

It could be a hotly-contested match — Ellerslie nabbed a 2-1 victory in the first round before Suburbs responded with a 4-0 win in their most recent meeting.

The other two Round 19 fixtures have been postponed to next week due to clubs’ commitments in the Kate Sheppard Cup.

Golden Boot

14 — Danica Urlich-Beech (Hibiscus Coast)
13 — Shannon Henson (West Coast Rangers)
12 — Charlotte Roche (Auckland United)
11 — Bree Johnson (West Coast Rangers), Zoe Benson (Eastern Suburbs)
10 — Sofia Garia (Eastern Suburbs)
9 — 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)
4 — Angela Pivac (Auckland United), Arisa Takeda (Western Springs), Catherine Smith (West Coast Rangers), Maia Lythe (Western Springs), Marissa Porteous (West Coast Rangers), Rina Hirano (Western Springs), Shion Hwang (Eastern Suburbs), Talisha Green (Auckland United)