Southern United secure finals berth

Southern United have secured a place in the National Women’s Football League finals for the first time, without kicking a ball.

By virtue of their previous wins over Auckland, Canterbury United Pride, and Northern, and Capital’s loss in the penultimate round on Sunday, they will finish no lower than third.

For a team that has more often than not finished last, it’s quite a turnaround, and they will now be looking to continue their golden run when they play Capital in Wellington next Sunday, where a win will mean they host the final on December 10.

Northern put an end to Capital’s finals hopes on Sunday, winning 5-1 at QBE Stadium in Auckland.

They face Auckland next Sunday at Keith Hay Park, in a match that is effectively a playoff, though a draw will be enough for Northern to secure a place in the top three and the finals.

A sweet last-minute volley by Britney-Lee Nicholson earned Canterbury a crucial 1-0 win over Auckland at their English Park home on Saturday.

The defending champions have 10 points overall, the same as Southern and Northern, with Auckland one behind on nine.

The Pride finish the round robin away to last-placed Central next Sunday, who appear destined for the wooden spoon, after losing 3-0 to Waikato-Bay of Plenty at John Kerkhof Park in Cambridge on Sunday. WaiBop have now completed their season, as they have the bye next week.