Lion Foundation Women's League

scores?

Last-gasp Mainland book semi, Young Ferns scare Auckland -->

November 29, 2009

AUCKLAND � An injury-time equaliser for Mainland Pride in a 2-2 draw with Capital Football booked a place in semi-finals of the Lion Foundation Women�s Football League on Sunday, while the New Zealand U-17s were just inches away from joining them after a losing a five-goal thriller to defending champions Auckland Football.

Needing to avoid a home defeat to the Southern Conference leaders in the penultimate round of group play to clinch a playoff spot and avoid a southern showdown against Football South, Mainland twice came from behind to secure a share of the spoils.

Georgia Goulding found the first equaliser on the stroke of halftime, finishing from a tight angle to cancel out Yumi Nguyen�s 11th minute opener for the visitors.

Capital�s Renee Leota continued her fine scoring form with her sixth goal in four games � bettered only by Auckland�s Kirtsy Yallop with eight this season � seven minutes after the restart and could have sealed the win in the 88th minute but for a fine save from Megan Shea to turn the Football Ferns striker shot round the upright.

Seizing on that lifeline, Aimee Phillips netted from close range in the fourth minute of time and earn Mainland second place in the conference and a semi final away to Auckland in a fortnight�s time.

With a healthy goal difference and a perfect record, Auckland�s position at the top of the Northern Conference was never in serious doubt, but their aura of invincibility may now be pierced by a New Zealand U-17 side unlucky not to take more from their see-sawing encounter on North Harbour Stadium�s artificial turf.

Football Ferns fullback Anna Green opened the scoring direct from a ninth minute corner and bookended that with a stunning 35 yard winner in the 78th minute as the five-time champions finally got themselves in front for good.

Earlier an under-hit back-pass and pressure from Brittany Dudley-Smith forced Auckland keeper Ashleigh Cox into cannoning her clearance off the Young Ferns striker for a 34th minute equaliser although Rebecca Tegg�s powerful header � putting her level with Renee Leota on six goals � put the Aucklanders ahead at the break.

New Zealand�s Kate Loye made Cox pay for a poor clearance just minutes into the second half with a clinical finish that restored parity on the scoresheet, and even after Green�s go-ahead goal only the crossbar prevented Katie Bowen�s late long-range strike from claiming a deserved point for the Young Football Ferns.

Auckland take a week off before hosting Mainland at the start of the playoffs on December 13, while only a lopsided defeat away to Waikato-BOP next Sunday will prevent the New Zealand U-17s from lining up against Capital in Wellington in the other semi-final.

Lion Foundation Women�s League
Round 5 Results

Sunday
Mainland Pride 2 (Georgia Goulding 45, Aimee Phillips 90+4)
Capital Football 2 (Yumi Nguyen 11, Renee Leota 52)
Halftime: 1-1

New Zealand U-17 2 (Brittany Dudley-Smith 34, Kate Loye 49)
Auckland Football 3 (Anna Green 9, 78; Rebecca Tegg 44)

Hmm. A 2-2 draw against what I thought a pretty average side the first time up doesn't sound like a great result.

Easy day for Mainland tomorrow as the Fsouth coaching staff have omitted FOUR of their most experienced players in the one game where they might have had a shot at getting a result!!!

Doesn't sound good for Footballsouth, they barely have 4 experienced players in their squad.

They've left out Emily(keeper) Carena(striker) Amber-again(defender) and Una(midfield/striker) all these girls have previous nat league experience. Go figure!

what's the story with Semis? WHen/Where. Someone reckoned Petone Memorial?

News reckons Petone Memorial at 1 on Sunday.

Football South 1:2 Mainland Pride
approx:56th min    12th min
                   90+3min
Close, but unlucky for Football South

yep Capital Footbal vs Waikato/BOP, this Sunday 13th, 1pm, Memorial Park.

Should be a goody! Waikato/BOP cleaned up U17s 8-0 who were expected to be the semi finalist

Bump to remember that this game is on TOMORROW
get along and support & hopefully see a local team win this weekend... (as well as team welly tomoz)

4-1 to Cap Football- could have been closer if Waikato keeper could deal with the wind- her handling was poor

Standouts for me were Amanda Rasch- very realiable and confident centre back for someone so young, Clansey and Leota both had good games but Emily McColl was a class apart
Salmon072009-12-13 16:42:37

very good performance from the Capital side. Thought Waikato would be more useful.

Good day out at Growers today. Some cracking goals, especially the two from Mainland. (and for all those involved in the rugby v football debate, that was the 1st ever football match at Growers Stadium)

Looking forward to watching the final in my own backyard, almost literally, next Sunday. C'mon Wellington. Sorry, c'mon Capital!Jag2009-12-13 17:44:10