Defending champions Northern will put their title on the line against cross town rivals Auckland in the final of the ASB Women’s League after an extra time win in Christchurch.
Chasing their first title since 2009, Auckland went behind early at ASB Football Park to a Maia Vink goal in the 18th minute only for Rebecca Tegg to equalise after 53 minutes – maintaining her record of scoring in every match this season.
The match went into extra time before Melanie Gooch edged Auckland ahead and Kayla Spyve sealed the win in the closing stages. It is the second time in as many season’s that Mainland has been eliminated at home in the semi final stages.
The first half action was fast and frantic as Northern and Capital locked horns at Fred Taylor Park with a brace of goals to Hannah Hoeksema separating the two sides.
Hoeksema scored a minute before the interval and again just shy of the hour mark to guarantee Northern would defend their title in the final.
Katie Rood had an early opportunity to open the scoring in the first half from the penalty spot after converted centre back Hannah Wall had brought her down in the area. The normally reliable Rood missed the target, before Hoeksema half volleyed her side into the lead.
In the second half Capital ‘keeper Cushla Lichtwark could only parry a Rebecca Burrows shot into the path of Hoeksema who made no mistake from close range to extend the lead and send Northern to back-to-back finals.
Northern will host the ASB Women’s League final by virtue of finishing the top qualifier of the northern conference. The regular season meetings between the finalists finished 2-2 at Fred Taylor Park and 5-2 in favour of Northern at “The Cage” at St Peter’s College.
The venue and kick off time for the ASB Women’s League final is yet to be confirmed by New Zealand Football.
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football.
For more on New Zealand Football visit www.nzfootball.co.nz

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