Canterbury back on top

Canterbury United Pride have moved back to the top of the table in the National Women’s Football League, while Auckland and the Northern Lights have also remained undefeated.

The Pride proved too strong for Waikato-Bay of Plenty in the end at John Kerkhof Park in Cambridge, taking the lead early through defender Rebecca Lake before running up the score in the final half hour.

Britney-Lee Nicholson poked home from close range to double the Pride’s advantage shortly after halftime, and grabbed another with 15 minutes to play, before Jayda Stewart and Macey Fraser – from the penalty spot – added some polish to the scoreline.

The win moved the Pride back to the top of the table, as leaders Southern United suffered their first loss of the season, going down 4-2 to Auckland.

Britney Cunningham-Lee put the hosts in front in the opening minutes, following up after Steph Skilton’s shot rebounded off the crossbar, but Southern equalised through Ruby Anderson quarter of an hour in.

Skilton put Auckland back in front just before halftime, but while Southern responded again through Kirsty Hayr on the hour mark, they couldn’t hold on for a point, as Cunningham-Lee and Leong scored in quick succession with 15 minutes to play.

The Lights joined Canterbury and Auckland in remaining undefeated as they cruised to a 7-1 win over Central.

Renee Wasi, Chloe Knott, and Saskia Vosper scored to give the Lights a 3-0 lead at the break, before Nat Olson pulled one back for the visitors with an hour gone.

Vosper got a second in the closing stages while Ava Pritchard, Dayna Stevens and Arabella Maynard all chipped in as the Lights gave their goal difference a boost.

The Pride will face their toughest test of the season so far next Sunday, when they travel north to play Auckland, while Northern are at home against WaiBop. Capital host Central in the other game on Saturday, while Southern have the bye.