Line Up.
(4-4-2) Yates, Binning, Nelson (Erceg 63), Jackman (c), Verdon, Wood (Cooper 65), Bramwell (Jones 65), Pearl, Rollings, Collins & White. Subs Not Used: McFadyen.

Result.
6-0 (1-0 HT)
Goal: Rosie White (3), Jessie Verdon, Helen Collins & Abby Erceg

Overview.
Springs went to Waitakere expected to get the points and they duly did so although not quite hitting the heights they can. The first half performance wasn't one for the scrapbook of fantastic performances, the players finding it hard to adapt to the wet conditions and the strong determination of the home team.

In fact it took 25 minutes for Springs to get a shot on target, one which Rebecca Meyer in the Waitakere goal failed to deal with but Rosie White was unable to turn in the rebound. White was becoming the stand out, her control fantastic and desire to be involved admiral, therefore it was just reward she opened up the game. Her tight turn in the box found Meyer wanting and as Bambi took the ball round the keeper she was up-ended in the box and penalty was given.

The young striker dusted herself off, stepped and duly smashed home her effort from 12 yards, a fantastic spot kick into the far corner. One nil to Springs but the expected onslaught didn't materalise. Waitakete to their credit were determined not to give in, they fought hard to close down spaces and denied Springs time on the ball they wanted.

The second half never got to the heights the coaching staff wanted but was a big improvement on the first 45 minutes. A change of shape to 3-4-3 made sure Rosie White added her second ten minutes after the re-start, some good work by Rollings infield released Collins who looked up and crossed for White at the back stick who tapped home from 6 yards. Springs started to get the run of the ball a bit more and Jessie Verdon produced the third goal of the game. Nadia Pearl played the ball out wide for Verdon now operating in midfield, she looked up from the touchline and her effort soared over Meyer into the top far corner. Cross or shot, only Verdon will give you the answer but a goal nether the less.



Springs then changed the midfield, Nadia Pearl was pushed inside and Emily Cooper came on to make her debut in the Premier League. the pairing made played together in these roles for Soccer2 U14s at the National Champs in December and they set about their task with composure. Erceg was also introduced for the injured Sarah Nelson and her impact was almost immediate.

Erceg won the ball at centre back and paraded forward into midfield and over half way, she shifted the ball onto her right foot and from 35 yards out smashed the ball goalwards. It had way too much power and serve for Meyer to handle and she could only palm the ball into the net. Four nil and Springs were starting to look much more fluid in possession.



Rosie White got her well deserved hat-trick, her first in the Premier League and probbaly not the last either, more good work down the right this time from Rollings and her cross was again duly met with perfect timing by the youngster who tapped home her third. Rollings again turned provider for Collins with a great ball down the channel, the powerful forward got the goal she was looking for by cutting inside the box and drilling a low left footed effort into the bottom corner. That was to be the last of the action on a wet Waitakere afternoon. Springs were never in danger of anything else but the three points but the performance can definately improve, on the plus side it takes them to joint top in the standings and also keeps up their impressive away record. Just one defeat back in July 2006 from their last 15 away matches. Thats also the 13th clean sheet from 14 games so far this campaign.

Coaches Comments.
"We're happy with three points, six goals and a clean sheet. I think the players will tell you they wern't happy with the performance but your never going to play well every week. They say a sign of a good team is to win when you dont play well and we have done that today."

"We seem to have a bit of an issue with playing the so called lesser teams, we never play as well as we can and thats something we need to address as a group but it's not an issue we need to spend time worrying about. The second half was a massive improvement and there are lots of positives to take from the game."

"Bambi was outstanding and deserved her hat-trick, its great to see Helen hit the back of the net and our two defenders scored two screamers which is great. Emily did very well for her debut, Nadia is growing every game she plays and Poppy started to show us her best form in the last ten minutes getting forward and being positive so overall it was a good game for us and we are happy."