Heavy defeat for young Central side in women’s match

Central’s young team suffered a heavy loss in their opening National Women’s League match, but the lineup of mostly schoolgirls had their moments.

Central went down to Southern United 6-1 in Dunedin on Saturday as the expanded league season began.

Despite the scoreline, Central coach Donald Piper said his team, which included an amazing 10 debutants out of the 16-woman playing squad, held their own.

‘‘I think the scoreline isn’t reflective of how the game went. For the amount of contacts we’ve had with the group we’re really pleased with what we did in possession.’’

The Central squad, of which only five are not at school, is drawn from Manawatu¯ , Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa. They had just four sessions and only two full trainings together before the match. Piper said that wasn’t an excuse, but was a factor when up against a more experienced Southern team, most of which came from the Dunedin Technical club that won the Kate Sheppard Cup earlier this month.

In contrast, Central, who finished last in 2017, has the league’s youngest squad and finished the match with a 14-year-old and three 15-year-olds on the pitch in what Piper said was practically an extension to the pre-season.

Southern scored early, but Central equalised in the 12th minute when Sophie Crewe, from Taranaki, slammed in a volley from just outside the box.

The match was lost for Central when Southern scored three times within seven or eight minutes as halftime approached.

The third goal in that passage of play was a spectacular longrange shot from Shontelle Smith, who found the top corner from about 30 metres out.

Piper said Southern’s tally included a couple of deflections and an own goal.

‘‘We were well in the game. In possession we looked pretty good and when we were out of possession we made it quite difficult for them to break us down.’’

Central also had a few close shaves with the scoreboard, as strikes hit the post and the crossbar, Piper said.

Piper’s pick for Central player of the match was midfielder Florence Macintyre, from Wairarapa. At 18, she is one of the squad’s experienced heads.

Central play Capital at Massey University, Palmerston North, at 2pm on Sunday.