Women's Central League

So apparently I jinxed it for PNU. The Diamonds' haul against them included not only two penalties but three(!) oggies - is that possibly a league record?

Meanwhile Karori captain Renee Bacon had the proverbial game of two halves, scoring both their goals in the 15th and 27th minutes, then getting both a yellow and a red in the 90th. Anyone know what happened there, and if it means she'll miss the Kate Sheppard Cup quarter-final against the Nix Reserves next weekend?

Karori 2 - 2 PN Marist
Petone 4 - 0 Moturoa
Taradale 0 - 4 Nix U18s
PN Utd 0 - 8 Wgtn Utd Diamonds

losing to the diamonds is nothing to be ashamed about they are a good side, but conceding 8 is a worry.

Simon B

So apparently I jinxed it for PNU. The Diamonds' haul against them included not only two penalties but three(!) oggies - is that possibly a league record?

Meanwhile Karori captain Renee Bacon had the proverbial game of two halves, scoring both their goals in the 15th and 27th minutes, then getting both a yellow and a red in the 90th. Anyone know what happened there, and if it means she'll miss the Kate Sheppard Cup quarter-final against the Nix Reserves next weekend?

Karori 2 - 2 PN Marist
Petone 4 - 0 Moturoa
Taradale 0 - 4 Nix U18s
PN Utd 0 - 8 Wgtn Utd Diamonds

Three oggies? Meikayla Moore as guest player?!

Simon B

So apparently I jinxed it for PNU. The Diamonds' haul against them included not only two penalties but three(!) oggies - is that possibly a league record?

Meanwhile Karori captain Renee Bacon had the proverbial game of two halves, scoring both their goals in the 15th and 27th minutes, then getting both a yellow and a red in the 90th. Anyone know what happened there, and if it means she'll miss the Kate Sheppard Cup quarter-final against the Nix Reserves next weekend?

Karori 2 - 2 PN Marist
Petone 4 - 0 Moturoa
Taradale 0 - 4 Nix U18s
PN Utd 0 - 8 Wgtn Utd Diamonds

Probably a power hungry ref

Doloras

Simon B

So apparently I jinxed it for PNU. The Diamonds' haul against them included not only two penalties but three(!) oggies - is that possibly a league record?

Meanwhile Karori captain Renee Bacon had the proverbial game of two halves, scoring both their goals in the 15th and 27th minutes, then getting both a yellow and a red in the 90th. Anyone know what happened there, and if it means she'll miss the Kate Sheppard Cup quarter-final against the Nix Reserves next weekend?

Karori 2 - 2 PN Marist
Petone 4 - 0 Moturoa
Taradale 0 - 4 Nix U18s
PN Utd 0 - 8 Wgtn Utd Diamonds

Three oggies? Meikayla Moore as guest player?!

It was just 2, last one was another for Nat Olson, ref recorded incorrectly.

Renee Bacon was sent off for 2 yellows, 1st persistent fouling, second for dissent to ref. She will miss the KS Cup quarter final

Doloras

Simon B

So apparently I jinxed it for PNU. The Diamonds' haul against them included not only two penalties but three(!) oggies - is that possibly a league record?

Meanwhile Karori captain Renee Bacon had the proverbial game of two halves, scoring both their goals in the 15th and 27th minutes, then getting both a yellow and a red in the 90th. Anyone know what happened there, and if it means she'll miss the Kate Sheppard Cup quarter-final against the Nix Reserves next weekend?

Karori 2 - 2 PN Marist
Petone 4 - 0 Moturoa
Taradale 0 - 4 Nix U18s
PN Utd 0 - 8 Wgtn Utd Diamonds

Three oggies? Meikayla Moore as guest player?!

Oh wow, I had to google the reference but if I ever have a rough day at work in future I’ll think of her and remind myself how much worse it could be.

Just the one mid-table clash this weekend on account of the KSC - Marist scored in the 45th and 90th minutes, guess they know how to finish on a high note.

Taradale 4 - 2 PN Marist

After their rough game against the Diamonds PNU bounced back to come within four minutes of a famous victory over Karori - but despite 86th-minute disappointment they still earned what could be a vital point in the four-way relegation tussle:

Wgtn Utd Diamonds 4 - 0 Taradale
Moturoa 0 - 3 PN Marist
PN Utd 1 - 1 Karori
Nix U18s 6 - 0 Vic Uni Firsts
Miramar Rangers 0 - 1 Petone

Late drama at Nix U18s v Petone yesterday: with the score tied 1-1 after Petone led at halftime, Nix captain Katie Pugh came off in the 88th minute after a knock to the head and was replaced by Maisy McDonald who’d been subbed off five minutes earlier, but was allowed back on as “concussion sub”. Then to add to the drama Mackenzie Bryant scored the winner in the 90th minute.

Elsewhere across the league there were hat tricks for Natalie Olson for the Diamonds (who I still think would be a good pick-up for the Wahinix, even if she has nowhere near the experience of our recent high-profile signings yet), and for Maddison Hughes for Taradale.

Petone 1 - 2 Nix U18s
PN Marist 5 - 1 Miramar Rangers
Karori 7 - 0 Moturoa
Taradale 4 - 0 PN Utd
Vic Uni Firsts 0 - 8 Wgtn Utd Diamonds

And a reminder that the U18s take on the Diamonds at Fraser Park 4pm next Sunday - members should’ve had an email invite for the Q&A with Dome and Gill afterwards, followed by a live screening of the Australia Cup game against Perth starting 7pm.

Hopefully Pugh will be match fit for the Diamonds game, it’s going to be a good one.

Edit: Taradale v PNU result corrected

Correction for Taradale v PN Utd, score was 4 - 0

whatever

Correction for Taradale v PN Utd, score was 4 - 0

Cheers, I hadn’t seen the update - that makes four out of last weekend’s five games with goals in the 90th minute (although I notice this week’s Academy Update says Bryant scored in injury time, so maybe I shouldn’t trust Capital Football’s results pages too much).

Good news, Pugh is back and starting for the U18s.

Nix U18s v Diamonds tied 0-0 at HT. It’s been an entertaining game so far, fast-moving with a few scares at both ends.

The U18s fought hard, but again the Diamonds weren’t our best friend. Good game though.

Petone 1 - 1 Karori
PN Marist 1 - 0 Vic Uni Firsts
Moturoa 1 - 0 Taradale
Miramar Rangers 1 - 0 PN Utd
Nix U18s 0 - 3 Wgtn Utd Diamonds

It’s still mathematically possible for the Nix U18s to claim the title, but it would require the unbeaten Diamonds to lose their next three games so that’s not gonna happen.

At the other end of the table PNU had a vital win to put them six points clear of Vic Uni, although Uni have a game in hand so nothing’s decided yet.

Wgtn Utd Diamonds 5 - 0 Petone
PN Utd 3 - 1 Vic Uni Firsts
Miramar Rangers 5 - 2 Moturoa
Taradale 1 - 2 Karori

Correction: Nix U18s v PN Marist was postponed, not sure why.

Despite the atrocious conditions all today's matches went ahead. The Diamonds won the league with an emphatic thumping of PN Marist, Olson scoring six including five in the last 15 minutes.

High drama at the other end of the table with bottom-placed Vic Uni hosting Taradale. After being 2-0 up at the 62nd minute, Uni found themselves tied 2-2 by the 65th thanks to an oggie followed quickly by a Taradale goal. But Uni regained their lead in the 82nd and held on for the win, meaning there are only four points between the bottom four teams with two (Moturoa, PNU) or three (Uni, Rangers) games left to play.

Petone 4 - 0 PN Utd
PN Marist 0 - 9 Wgtn Utd Diamonds
Karori 6 - 2 Miramar Rangers
Moturoa 1 - 3 Nix U18s
Vic Uni Firsts 3 - 2 Taradale

Conditions in Palmerston North were miles better than Wellington
Palmy Marist's keeper was outstanding and I feel sorry for her that she ended up conceding 9 goals. 

It was 0-0 at half time and the Diamonds had hit the post 3 times, had a certain goal cleared of the line, and two one on ones with the Palmy keeper, who ended up with her coming out on top with some great saves. The Diamonds could have been 5 or 6 up at half time

5 minutes into the second half Nat Olson hit a shot that would normally have been in the back of the net but the Marist keeper managed to keep out with her legs. I thought oh no will it be one of those days....
But then a couple of minutes later Nat Olson managed to chip the keeper and Palmy Marist collapsed, in the next 10 minutes Jemma Catherwood got 2 and Jemma Robertson got her first for the season (Diamonds top scorer with 143 goals, but has been playing right back this year!) 

Then Nat Olson just kept scoring, netting 6 on the day, the second time she has done this for the Diamonds and the third time this season she has scored 5 or more in a game. She now has 32 in the league and 35 for the season.

Palmerston North Marist are a decent team and their keeper was outstanding, but they came up against a Diamonds side that is relentless and that shows this season, they have won the title with two games to spare, are unbeaten, have scored 87 goals and conceded only 5, here's hoping they can improve on their previous two seasons of finishing mid table in National League

Checked out Vic Uni v Miramar today. Interesting game and one of those ones that didn't really go the way either expected.

Miramar went up early with a penalty and frankly were much the better side in the first half, their midfield winning the physical battle and a few good players up front too. But didn't put Vic Uni away and the hosts despite not creating much drew level from a counterattack with the player rounding the goalkeeper and scoring. Unfortunately for Miramar think their subs in midfield didn't have the same energy and physicality as their starters.

Chaos ensued in the final 10 with both teams keen to win it, especially Vic Uni given the relegation situation, and they looked the more likely team to win it with plenty of home crowd momentum too. Overall though I thought they were fortunate for the final result of a 1-1 draw.

Standout players - Vic Uni keeper Sophie Armitage had a great game keeping her team in it and 1-0, and although their attack didn't really fire it was a nicely taken goal by Nicole Baird. For Miramar I thought they had a technical edge overall and moved the ball quicker on attack, Jacqui Broughton up front played well despite not scoring, Crystal Philips in midfield scored the early pen and helped them win the physical battle, Trinity Mairs moved up from leftback to leftwing as the game went on and it strengthened their attack.

Unfortunately for Vic that's probably relegation for them now - will be hard pressed to take any points off Petone or Karori.

It’s a pity Uni ended up with such a tough couple of games at the end, because they’ve come alive during the relegation battle - anything’s possible but yeah it’ll take an upset to save them.

(I’m guessing next season’s promoted team will come from Cap Premier, which makes today’s Seatoun v Wellington United Sapphires game a significant one in their three-way tussle with Te Kotahitanga for top spot.)

Unfortunately Marist defaulted today’s game against the Nix U18s (apparently due to a mix of injuries and players not being available), which guarantees a second place for the Nix with Karori and Petone battling it out for 3rd/4th and Marist and Taradale doing the same for 5th/6th.

Karori 1 - 2 Petone
Vic Uni Firsts 1 - 1 Miramar Rangers
Wgtn Utd Diamonds 2 - 0 Moturoa
Nix U18s 3 - 0 (by default) PN Marist

Speaking of the Nix I only realised watching the U16s this morning that Anais Lecarpentier normally plays for them, which means that she scored in what I think was her WCL debut with the U18s last week.

All teams are caught up now so they only have their final match of the season to play next weekend.

Karori could still steal third place off Petone in the unlikely event Petone draw or lose to Vic Uni in their final game; conversely, if Uni pull off an even more unlikely win they could escape relegation and send Moturoa or PNU down in their place after PNU lost the second Palmy derby to Marist.

Back at the top end there were big wins for the Nix U18s and Karori, with hat tricks for Bridie Jessica Christie and Renee Bacon respectively. After coming on to provide a vital assist at the KSC semi-final, Katie Pugh started and scored for the Reserves in their Friday game against the Petone U15 boys instead of featuring in the U18s game later that evening. She's been a dynamo for the U18s this season but hopefully she's earned a flight to Auckland for the KSC final in a couple of weeks.

Nix U18s 5 - 0 Miramar Rangers
PN Marist 4 - 2 PN Utd
Vic Uni Firsts 1 - 6 Karori
Taradale 0 - 2 Petone

Reading this article about our first women's national team I learned about the Nora Watkins Memorial Shield, which is defended in the holder's home WCL games. Waterside Karori were the first to hold it but the Diamonds claimed it after beating them back in April.

After their run this season it's hard to imagine anyone winning against the Diamonds at home (except the Nix Reserves in their KSC match, and that was a close battle). But it's a moot point since their final game is away to Miramar so they'll hold the shield until at least the start of next season.

And that’s it for the 2025 WCL. Vic Uni are relegated, with Cap Premier winners Seatoun either taking their place automatically or going into the playoffs against a Central Fed side (New Plymouth?).

Since the Phoenix Women’s Reserves have a guaranteed spot in the Women’s National League championship stage, I guess the Nix U18s won’t be one of the other three central region teams? That would suggest Wellington United, Petone and Karori going forward.

Nat Olson decisively takes the golden boot for the season, scoring 35 of the Diamonds’ 97 goals during their unbeaten run. For all they finished with a crushing victory over Miramar today, Rangers can take consolation in having scored one of the only six goals United conceded all season.

Karori 7 - 2 Nix U18s

Petone 5 - 0 Vic Uni Firsts

Moturoa 1 - 1 PN Utd

PN Marist 0 - 3 Taradale

Miramar Rangers 1 - 8 Wgtn Utd Diamonds

Central League playoff happening today in Palmerston North - Seatoun v New Plymouth Rangers

Seatoun 3-1 winners

zonknz

Seatoun 3-1 winners

The season calendar has two playoff rounds allocated - did they use the previous weekend as well, or was this it meaning Seatoun are promoted?

Simon B

zonknz

Seatoun 3-1 winners

The season calendar has two playoff rounds allocated - did they use the previous weekend as well, or was this it meaning Seatoun are promoted?

Note how it was played in neutral Palmerston North as opposed to a two legged home and away affair, that might answer your question.

Sounds like Moturoa have bailed and VicUni back -_-

Same as FC Western in the men’s? 😜 

I did see Vic Uni girls say they were in Central League on Social Media 

Random that the league hasn’t said anything 

It’s sad that they had to make this decision, but reading the press release I respect the committee for making the hard call that’s in the players’ and the club’s best interests.

The logistical challenges of being right on the outskirts of the region must make it tough - even if CF fund travel (I think I read that somewhere?), it’s a lot more time on the road compared to say the Wellington teams. I wonder how Taradale find it?