Women's Central League

Thought this deserved its own thread - the 2025 draw is here, kicking off this Saturday (29 March) with ten teams in this year's competition:

As I understand it the WCL is roughly equivalent to the men's Central League 2 - a combined Capital Football / Central Football regional comp, not be confused with the men's Central League which is part of the NZF-run National League (someone please correct me if I'm wrong).

So what are people's thoughts on this year's WCL? Any bold predictions?

Also a question about the Nix U18 Girls' participation. WCL is supposed to be the Tier 2 national women's comp, sitting between the Women's NL and Women's Capital Premier, but the U18 Girls had a dismal run in the 2024 U15 Mixed CDL.

Reading the WCL/MCL2 regulations it looks like we automatically get a WCL slot (at least this year), but with limitations on player status and age:

27.9 In the WCL, the Wellington Phoenix FC may also select Players pursuant to the terms of its Participation Agreement with Capital Football and 26.2.1.

27.9.1 All Players must hold an amateur registration, no professionals and/or scholarship players. For clarity, this applies to players who have held a professional contract (including scholarship) in the previous and/or current A-League season 2024/2025 and 2025/2026.

27.9.2 All Players must be between the ages of fifteen (15) and eighteen (18) as per 27.10. As an exception to this clause, there may be a maximum of three (3) overage players per match day however these players must be under the age of twenty-one (21).

Is the logic that despite last year's results, the U18 Girls are our only team that meets these criteria?

Simon B

Also a question about the Nix U18 Girls' participation. WCL is supposed to be the Tier 2 national women's comp, sitting between the Women's NL and Women's Capital Premier, but the U18 Girls had a dismal run in the 2024 U15 Mixed CDL.

Reading the WCL/MCL2 regulations it looks like we automatically get a WCL slot (at least this year), but with limitations on player status and age:

27.9 In the WCL, the Wellington Phoenix FC may also select Players pursuant to the terms of its Participation Agreement with Capital Football and 26.2.1.

27.9.1 All Players must hold an amateur registration, no professionals and/or scholarship players. For clarity, this applies to players who have held a professional contract (including scholarship) in the previous and/or current A-League season 2024/2025 and 2025/2026.

27.9.2 All Players must be between the ages of fifteen (15) and eighteen (18) as per 27.10. As an exception to this clause, there may be a maximum of three (3) overage players per match day however these players must be under the age of twenty-one (21).

Is the logic that despite last year's results, the U18 Girls are our only team that meets these criteria?

I have referee'd a good number of W-leage/WCL games. They're just different to Mens/boys football- not in a judgement good/bad way, they just do tend to be less physical and aggressive. I've done WCL games that have had 2 fouls in total, i've had games that were more physical - but they are rarer. Its not to say that a U15 (which are all mixed these days) game is harder, its just going to be more about physical play, rather than just skillful play.  That's why, IMHO the U18s struggled there.

I caught the first half of Nix v Karori before having to go catch a train for tonight’s game in town (I’d hoped to make it a 1.5-header and watch the men’s Reserves v Upper Hutt, but life has an annoying habit of getting in the way of football).

It’s a long time since I’ve been this close to the pitch for a game, so maybe it’s getting such a clear view of play and hearing exactly what the coaches are saying but it was an entertaining game to watch and to my untrained eye there were some slick moves from both teams.

So I definitely take zonknz’s point about not taking past CDL results too seriously - apparently the internet is no substitute for watching games with my own eyes, who knew eh? Seriously though, I really appreciated the first-hand view from someone who knows the leagues.

This was also my first time at Fraser Park and from what I saw it’s a pretty nice setup - although wandering upstairs to find the cafe full of Weenix lads made me feel like I’d blundered into a school cafeteria (they do actually serve the public there too). My plan is to sample games from across the regional men’s and women’s senior leagues this season, but I’d definitely go back to watch our Reserve/Academy lads and lasses.

Oh and most importantly it was 0-0 when I left at half time, IMO the Nix had slightly the better of the half but I don’t know how it ended.

EDIT: And 4-0 to the Nix girls at full time. Dammit, I should’ve stayed for the second half and gotten to the WSW game late.

Get yourself the Futbology App Simon, and record your games and grounds in it as you explore. It will change your life.

Anyone know if Nix Academy twitter is going to do blow by blow posts for Men’s CL and zero for Women’s?

bwtcf

Get yourself the Futbology App Simon, and record your games and grounds in it as you explore. It will change your life.

For the better?

But seriously, thanks for the tip - after years of teasing my partner about her obsession with the Parkrun 5K app I can see how this is a rabbit hole I'll all too willingly go down.

This weekend’s other WCL result, PNU 0 Moturoa 3. Nix still top of the table on goal difference.

(Yeah I know it doesn’t count, but I might not get to write that again so let’s make the most of it.)

If the nix u18s have done over karori by 4 goals, they must be strong favourites.

zonknz

If the nix u18s have done over karori by 4 goals, they must be strong favourites.

very different Karori side from last season - only 4 starters v Nix were regular starters last season. 

Nix will still be contenders, be interesting to see how consistent their line up will be 

The JourneyFan

zonknz

If the nix u18s have done over karori by 4 goals, they must be strong favourites.

very different Karori side from last season - only 4 starters v Nix were regular starters last season. 

Nix will still be contenders, be interesting to see how consistent their line up will be 

Have Academy teams been that consistent in past seasons, or with the focus on development do they tend to rotate players through to give them all game time?

Couple of high-scoring games among this weekend's results:

Petone 0 - 0 PN Marist
Karori 2 - 8 Wellington Utd Diamonds
Vic Uni Firsts 1 - 0 Moturoa
PN Utd 0 - 12 Nix U18s
Taradale 3 - 0 Miramar Rangers

Five of the Diamond's goals were thanks to Natalie Olson, while Nix captain Katie Pugh scored a hat-trick against PNU with the rest of the goals pretty evenly divided across five players.

Managed to see the Vic Uni - Moturoa game. Good close match, both teams a bit rusty being early in the season, Vic Uni looked a lot more comfortable with possession while Moturoa were more direct and probably the second-best team in the first half. 

Definitely picked up in the second - both got going a lot more and created some decent opportunities, Moturoa were an improvement on the first half with more passages of play in the opp half. Nice strike from outside the box from Vic Uni nr 6 Isla Robertson won it with about 10 mins to go, probably deserved off the whole game.

Big wins for the Nix and the Diamonds again this week, and Karori find their feet:

Miramar Rangers 0 - 0 Vic Uni Firsts
Moturoa 0 - 2 Petone
Wellington Utd Diamonds 6 - 0 PN Utd
PN Marist 1 - 4 Karori
Nix U18s 7 -1 Taradale

I watched the Diamonds v PNU at Newtown Park, and despite the one-sided scoreline it was an entertaining game. The Diamonds definitely deserved the win and if it hadn't been for some heroic saves from PNU's goalie they could've scored a few more, but at least to my eyes PNU didn't play terribly (their No. 10, Carmen Su, looked particularly sharp). I think they were just up against a very good side so it'll be interesting to see how they go after starting the season with two tough fixtures.

And from the "a funny thing happened at the footy" file, there was a guy walking his dog there in an AFC shirt (if he saw me wearing my Nix shirt for the Victory game he didn't show it).

Byes for the Nix and VUW this week, PNU now the only team still to score this season - as a Palmy boy from way back and someone who always favours the underdog, I'm becoming more invested in seeing them claw one back.

Taradale 0 - 6 Wellington Utd Diamonds
Petone 5 - 1 Miramar Rangers
Karori 3 - 0 PN Utd
PN Marist 3 - 1 Moturoa

No crazy scorelines this week, maybe all the teams have found their feet now? PNU get their first goal (but are still chasing their first point), and the Nix give up top spot after being held to a draw by Petone.

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

YESSS! PNU get their first win, 1-0 away to Vic Uni after having an early goal ruled out for offside.

…not that I’m showing favouritism or anything.

Official results for the weekend - Diamonds are 5 points clear at the top of the table, although the Nix have a game in hand:

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

Katie Pugh scored both goals for the Nix, which puts her third equal on the Golden Boot leaderboard. I wonder if she has any interest in going pro, seeing how our first team might be looking for some new players soon?

And a couple of cute details from the Vic-PNU game. One of the small but boisterous Palmy support pointed out that with United playing in black and Uni in yellow and green, it kinda felt like watching a trans-Tasman match. Best line of the game though went to the ref, calling a PNU player back to re-take a running throw-in: "I gave you the throw, not twelve yards!"

Just the one WCL game this weekend:

Vic Uni Firsts 0 - 11 Nix U18s

Five of those goals were from Katie Pugh and two from Ruby Hale, which lifts Pugh up to the top of the Golden Boot rankings ahead of the Diamonds’ Natalie Olson.

According to The Niche Cache Pugh is 16, so I guess we won’t be seeing her on a full-time first team contract quite yet. But if Pounds can make appearances for the men then potentially Pugh could for the women?

Another weekend of one-sided results (Nix and Moturoa had the bye):

Wgtn Utd Diamonds 7 - 0 PN Marist
PN Utd 0 - 6 Petone
Taradale 6 - 0 Vic Uni Firsts
Miramar Rangers 1 - 7 Karori

This week it was the turn of the Diamonds' Natalie Olson and Karori Middleware's Nicola Ross to score five goals apiece, with Petone's Pepi Olliver-Bell getting a hat-trick. Miramar's Paige O'Connor deserves special mention for clawing one back in the 87th minute after a horror first half that saw them 6-0 down in 35 minutes, and a second half that started with an oggie to make it 7-0.

For all these big margins are great for the winning teams, they aren't great news for the competition overall. Sorting the results so far by goal difference it's like we have two different leagues playing as one:

image.png 79.08 KB

Other than cheering on the struggling teams though I'm not sure what can be done to balance things out.

Marist won the Palmy derby this weekend, although Annabel Irwin chalked up PNU’s third goal of the season after scoring their second against Vic a few weeks back:

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

A quiet weekend for the WCL on account of the Kate Sheppard Cup:

Nix U18s 3 - 0 Moturoa

Scorers for the Nix were Isabella Temple (Paul’s daughter), Maisy McDonald and Bridie Jessica Christie.

After my muttering about how one-sided some recent results have been, we’re in for some promisingly well-matched games this weekend:

Saturday 7 June
12:00 - Karori (3rd) v Petone (4th) at Karori Park 2
1:00 - Vic Uni (8th) v PN Marist (6th) at Boyd Wilson Turf
2:30 - Wgtn Utd Diamonds (1st) v Nix U18s (2nd) at Newtown Park 1

Sunday 8 June
1:00 - PN Utd (10th) v Miramar Rangers (7th) at Memorial Park

Taradale (5th) and Moturoa (9th) get the bye.

I’m especially looking forward to watching the Diamonds v Nix on game Saturday - not only will it be an exciting clash between two good teams, it’s also a preview for their Kate Sheppard Cup match at the same venue the following weekend (Saturday 14th 1:00). 

Simon B

After my muttering about how one-sided some recent results have been, we’re in for some promisingly well-matched games this weekend:

Saturday 7 June
12:00 - Karori (3rd) v Petone (4th) at Karori Park 2
1:00 - Vic Uni (8th) v PN Marist (6th) at Boyd Wilson Turf
2:30 - Wgtn Utd Diamonds (1st) v Nix U18s (2nd) at Newtown Park 1

Sunday 8 June
1:00 - PN Utd (10th) v Miramar Rangers (7th) at Memorial Park

Taradale (5th) and Moturoa (9th) get the bye.

I’m especially looking forward to watching the Diamonds v Nix on game Saturday - not only will it be an exciting clash between two good teams, it’s also a preview for their Kate Sheppard Cup match at the same venue the following weekend (Saturday 14th 1:00). 

The Diamonds v Nix game isn't really a preview for their KS Cup game - they are playing Phoenix U18s on Saturday, then the week after in the KS Cup it will be the Phoenix Reserves - a very different prospect (also that date and time hasn't been confirmed yet)

The JourneyFan

Simon B

After my muttering about how one-sided some recent results have been, we’re in for some promisingly well-matched games this weekend:

Saturday 7 June
12:00 - Karori (3rd) v Petone (4th) at Karori Park 2
1:00 - Vic Uni (8th) v PN Marist (6th) at Boyd Wilson Turf
2:30 - Wgtn Utd Diamonds (1st) v Nix U18s (2nd) at Newtown Park 1

Sunday 8 June
1:00 - PN Utd (10th) v Miramar Rangers (7th) at Memorial Park

Taradale (5th) and Moturoa (9th) get the bye.

I’m especially looking forward to watching the Diamonds v Nix on game Saturday - not only will it be an exciting clash between two good teams, it’s also a preview for their Kate Sheppard Cup match at the same venue the following weekend (Saturday 14th 1:00). 

The Diamonds v Nix game isn't really a preview for their KS Cup game - they are playing Phoenix U18s on Saturday, then the week after in the KS Cup it will be the Phoenix Reserves - a very different prospect (also that date and time hasn't been confirmed yet)

Whoops, morning brain freeze - that’s why I should never post before coffee!

Remind me who the nix resies are ( at this time of year)?

They play in the U15 TDP I think.

Yeah in the U15 Mixed CDL, they're currently fifth just ahead the Academy U15 boys (who the Nix refer to as U14 boys in their Academy Roundup posts - the team they call U15 boys plays in the U17 Mixed CDL, just to confuse things).

There's a fair bit of player rotation between the Ressies and the U18s (which still doesn't excuse me mixing the two up, that was just dumb). The Niche Cache had a bit of a write-up on the Reserves a while back.

The Nix/Diamonds game has been pretty even so far, 1-1 at halftime here at a chilly Newtown Park (I couldn’t see for sure who the goal scorers were so I’ll wait for the official results).

No Katie Pugh for the Nix today but Maisy McDonald, Kya Solomon and Sienna Candy have all stood out - also I’m probably imagining things but grabbing my halftime chips I just saw someone who looks an awful lot like Bev Priestman…

Simon B

The Nix/Diamonds game has been pretty even so far, 1-1 at halftime here at a chilly Newtown Park (I couldn’t see for sure who the goal scorers were so I’ll wait for the official results).

No Katie Pugh for the Nix today but Maisy McDonald, Kya Solomon and Sienna Candy have all stood out - also I’m probably imagining things but grabbing my halftime chips I just saw someone who looks an awful lot like Bev Priestman…

If you weren’t hallucinating then confirms her gig 

Well that was an eventful second half - United scored a minute in then held on to win 2-1, handing the Nix their first defeat of the season and proving that “Diamonds aren’t the U18 Girls’ best friend” (sorry).

Along the way the Nix keeper saved a penalty and I could’ve sworn they had a player sent off, but the match centre doesn’t show it so maybe she was injured and I miscounted when I thought they only had ten women left on the pitch. (Edit: Mystery solved, match centre has been updated to show that the Nix had already used all their subs.)

For all I’ll be cheering on the Nix Reserves in next weekend’s KSC game I’m looking forward to seeing this Diamonds side play again. Farina Anchico who scored the second-half winner has some serious speed on her, and I see now why Natalie Olson is top of the Golden Boot leaderboard even though she missed her chances in this game.

I also learned from the nicely put together programme United handed out that Olson recently scored her 100th goal for the club, and last weekend Jemma Robertson became only the third United player (and first woman) in recorded club history to make 200 appearances for them. So if the Nix had to lose, they did it against a worthy opponent.

Feverish

Simon B

The Nix/Diamonds game has been pretty even so far, 1-1 at halftime here at a chilly Newtown Park (I couldn’t see for sure who the goal scorers were so I’ll wait for the official results).

No Katie Pugh for the Nix today but Maisy McDonald, Kya Solomon and Sienna Candy have all stood out - also I’m probably imagining things but grabbing my halftime chips I just saw someone who looks an awful lot like Bev Priestman…

If you weren’t hallucinating then confirms her gig 

Maybe, or maybe the family were out for an afternoon of footy cheering on one of her wife’s Academy teams? I’d like to imagine her there quietly sizing up promotion candidates for the first team, but who knows?

Actually now that I’ve sat down and read the match programme properly after skimming it at the game, maybe Priestman did have a good reason to be there.

Am told they were down to 10 because one player did their hammy, after all subs used.

zonknz

Am told they were down to 10 because one player did their hammy, after all subs used.

Yeah I hadn’t clicked that we made three half-time substitutions, guess it was just a day the gamble didn’t pay off. Pretty sure it was Isabella Temple who came off, hopefully she won’t be out too long.

So to round up the weekend’s results:

Karori P - P Petone
Vic Uni Firsts 0 - 3 PN Marist
Wgtn Utd Diamonds 2 - 1 Nix U18s
PN Utd 1 - 0 Miramar Rangers

Not sure why the Karori game was postponed, pitch condition maybe? The PNU game sounds like high drama, keeper red-carded in the 48th minute and they still hung on for only their second win of the season.

Diamonds now five points clear at the top of the table.

Maybe not the right thread because Nix reserves play in a different league but posting here anyway. 

Went to Nix reserves vs Wellington United last night - cracking game honestly very enjoyable. Very even first half with plenty of chances both ways and quite a few near misses/good saves. Second half I think Phoenix had more composure especially after taking the lead (a somewhat scuffed shot from Sienna Candy that had the placement to find the bottom left corner nonetheless). Were better in possession and more adept at playing out from the back than United who made a few mistakes/panicked a few times in that aspect of the game. That said it was a close game and United had their chances.

Zoe Barrott as you would expect was a standout at the back for United, while their young forward Anchico caused Phoenix a heap of problems with her pace and low centre of gravity, but wasn't quite there on decision-making aspects. 

Ella McMillan looked a class above for Phoenix and was POTM in my opinion, while Brooke Neary in goal was super cool dealing with crosses, composed on the ball and made some cracking saves.

Enjoyed a great crowd too - would have been 200-300 there in the grandstand at Newtown Park, and there were plenty there for both sides (including David Dome and the very vocal Phoenix U18 side!). Hot chips and an empanada at half time from the WU clubrooms helped the experience too!

Also went to Vic Uni-PNM last weekend, wasn't the best game with a biting cold wind and both teams somewhat struggled on attack, especially the hosts.

Vic were okay in possession and at the back like the previous time I saw them, but didn't have much going in the way of link-up play or standout players in the final third. Very much having to huff and puff to create chances, they did create a few good ones but unfortunately blazed them over the bar.

PNM were ultimately better in this game but were only marginally the better side in the first. Had the tailwind at the start of the second half and opened the scoring in the 49th, tap-in from close range for Japanese forward Ishimoto after a save. Sensed they had the momentum, pushed on for the second goal and then settled the game after that, definitely won the coaching battle and managed the game very well from a leading position, captain Noakes bagged another one late on and 3-0 full time.

Vic don't attract much of a crowd as a uni team and naturally there were only a few there backing PNM but I do like their boutique ground.

LT01

Maybe not the right thread because Nix reserves play in a different league but posting here anyway. 

Went to Nix reserves vs Wellington United last night - cracking game honestly very enjoyable. Very even first half with plenty of chances both ways and quite a few near misses/good saves. Second half I think Phoenix had more composure especially after taking the lead (a somewhat scuffed shot from Sienna Candy that had the placement to find the bottom left corner nonetheless). Were better in possession and more adept at playing out from the back than United who made a few mistakes/panicked a few times in that aspect of the game. That said it was a close game and United had their chances.

Zoe Barrott as you would expect was a standout at the back for United, while their young forward Anchico caused Phoenix a heap of problems with her pace and low centre of gravity, but wasn't quite there on decision-making aspects. 

Ella McMillan looked a class above for Phoenix and was POTM in my opinion, while Brooke Neary in goal was super cool dealing with crosses, composed on the ball and made some cracking saves.

Enjoyed a great crowd too - would have been 200-300 there in the grandstand at Newtown Park, and there were plenty there for both sides (including David Dome and the very vocal Phoenix U18 side!). Hot chips and an empanada at half time from the WU clubrooms helped the experience too!

I heard the U18s from the other end of the grandstand, but didn't realise Domey was there as well. It really was a good turnout for a pretty miserable wet night.

I don't have many other club venues to compare to (Fraser Park doesn't really count since the Phoenix run as a business), but based on three visits to Newtown Park so far I like the welcoming atmosphere. I'm pretty sure that's their chairman Dave Webster serving up the hot food behind the counter, it's definitely welcome at halftime!

Depending on the weather I'm quite tempted to rock up next Friday night for the United-Karori game as well - I haven't watched Karori since their very first game of the season, but judging by the results since then they'll be good opponents for the Diamonds.

Just a couple of WCL games this week on account of the Kate Sheppard Cup:

Vic Uni Firsts 1 - 8 Petone
Taradale 3 - 0 Moturoa

All ten teams back in action this coming weekend.

This weekend’s results - for all PNU lost to the Nix again, they’ve come a long way since going down 12-0 in the reverse fixture back in April.

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