Strong 20 league win for Southern National league

JASMINE Prince was the hero as Southern United charged to its breakthrough win in the national league yesterday.

Any concerns over the team’s confidence levels after two heavy defeats were allayed at Petone Memorial Park with a dominant 20 win over Capital.

Prince claimed the headlines — and deservedly so, for her two goals and relentless attacking threat — but Southern had good performers across the park.

The first few minutes were as wild as the Wellington weather, as both sides seemed a little overanxious to make a positive start.

Then everything just seemed to click for Southern United, especially when Prince started terrorising her marker on the righthand flank, Rose Morton established control in the centre

of the field, Kelsey Kennard and Toni Power provided a brick wall of defence and Margi Dias got some opportunities to weave her magic.

A 10 lead came swiftly and effectively as Prince surged down her wing, cut inside and unleashed a crisp leftfooted shot that breezed through the flailing arms of Capital goalkeeper Molly Simons.

That set the scene for a period of long Southern dominance built around relentless pressing and probing in the attacking third.

Prince put in a potent cross but there was nobody waiting to finish, and the winger made another nice run that had Capital players looking very nervous.

The home side had a golden opportunity to equalise in the 27th minute when it was awarded a free kick just outside the box.

Renee Bacon, the former Southern star, shot low and hard, Southern goalkeeper Kate Hannay got down to it but could not claim it cleanly, and Pepi OliverBell was presented with an open goal but could only scuff her shot.

Bacon’s influence was clear as Capital had a nice period with the ball, but Southern lifted again towards the end of the first half.

After a bit of pinball in the 37th minute, the ball rebounded off a Capital defender and straight into the path of Prince, who took one nudge ahead then drilled in her second goal.

Southern really should have made it three in the final seconds of the half when a low Dias cross fell invitingly for Kennedy Bryant, who had come off the bench early in the game, but her shot went wide.

The main point of interest in the second half was whether Prince could grab a richly deserved hattrick.

It was 72 minutes before the first real opportunity, when Morton and Bryant combined beautifully, but Bryant’s solid shot was well saved by Simons.

Southern kept up the pace without again getting a clear opening on goal until a couple of close shaves in added time.

Southern’s next game is at home to winless Central this Saturday.

Central was smashed 90 by Northern Rovers yesterday. Western Springs beat Auckland United 30, and Eastern Suburbs beat Canterbury 41.