United three points off top spot
REACHING a new level is never easy. But staying there is often even harder.
Personnel changes, opponents figuring you out and having a few good days is a completely different thing to being consistently good.
It is something Southern United is managing two years on from its breakout national women’s league season, though.
As it approaches the midpoint of the 2019 season, it finds itself in third place — just three points off top spot.
You could certainly say it has firmly cemented itself as a midtable regular at the very least, rather than an overachiever.
A pair of games against the formidable Canterbury United await on Saturday and Monday.
Two positive results would be big in the context of the league.
However, perhaps a bigger context needs to be remembered.
The team has kept a solid core over the past few years, although it has lost several key players.
Three of its biggest stars from the 2017 season, when it broke its losing streak and made the playoffs, have not played since.
League MVP Ellie Isaac, Football Fern Elise MamanuGray and national squad goal keeper Tessa Nicol were all key in that run.
Last year there were two significant losses in Georgia Brown and Lara Wall — now at Canterbury United.
That is a very classy quintet. Losing that much talent can be tough to cover.
But it has carried on its form and that is not something to overlook.
The core remains and it has continued to improve every year.
Southern has played attractive football, creating plenty of chances and scoring 18 goals in five games.
The likes of Mikaela Hunt and Kelsey Kennard are reliable at the back, while Shontelle Smith, Mikayla Gray and Renee Bacon are now experienced threats.
Then there are youngsters such as Amy Hislop and Ruby Anderson, both of whom have been dangerous up front and have found the goal on several occasions.
Neither was in the team two years ago, but they are examples of players to follow the pathway into the top side.
You then have national representatives such as Hannah MackayWright and Rose Morton come to the region.
There may have been a time when that would have been seen as a bad career move, although that reputation is clearly shifting. It makes for promising times although a tough run looms to finish the season.
Southern should pick up wins against Central and WaiBOP to match its total from last year.
It will be hopeful of picking up another against Capital, although that will be tougher in Wellington.
From there, anything it gets against Canterbury, Auckland and Northern is a bonus.
It is in that mix at the moment and will be keen to show it belongs in that top group.