Western Springs 2008 Northern Premier League Champions
Summer Goalkeeping Academy at Western Springs
Bambi's Golden Boots
Springs striker Rosie White has finished top goalscorer at the U20 Four Nations Tournament in Chile. After netting New Zealand's equalizer in a 1-1 draw against Canada on match day two she added a further two goals in a 3-0 victory over Mexico on the final day of competition. Three goals in as many games earned her the Golden Boot Award for the tournament. New Zealand finished 3rd in the pre-World Cup build up competition with 4pts after a win, a draw and a loss. They also took home the fair play award. Western Springs players Abby Erceg, Bri Fisher, Liz Milne, Hannah Wall, Grace Vincent & Renee Leota all saw good game time over the course of the three International matches as they look to secure spots in the final World Cup Squad which will be named shortly.
NRFL RD12 Result: Springs 7 v Suburbs 1
Western Springs claimed their first ever Northern Premier League title on Friday night with a resounding 7-1 victory over Eastern Suburbs at Seddon Fields. Needing just a point from this last match Springs did more than was required as they came away with their biggest win of the season to win the title in style. Three players claimed a brace of goals, Jamie Hackett and Leanne Tiffen put the team in the driving seat with Hannah Wall adding a first half strike while Rosie White chimed in with her first goals of the season after spending 7 months out with a knee injury. Springs spent most of the game in cruise control dominating proceedings and possession. Despite failing behind 1-0 to a Marlies Oostdam strike Springs quickly re-gained the advantage and made sure they would walk away from the season un-beaten with 11 wins and 1 draw from the 12 games this season.
Springs Crew off to Chile
The New Zealand U20 Women's Team will be traveling to Chile to take part in a four nations tournament during September, the tour is part of the U20s preparations for the U20 World Cup to be played in Chile during November. Western Springs have strong representation in the squad of 18. Abby Erceg, Renee Leota, Grace Vincent, Liz Milne, Hannah Wall, Briony Fisher & Rosie White have all been selected for what will be an amazing experience playing in front of big crowds and against some of the top teams in the World. Five of the seven players selected have played for New Zealand already this year with Grace Vincent and Liz Milne making their International debuts. A final squad of 21 players will be selected for the World Cup were New Zealand have drawn England, Nigeria and hosts Chile in Group A.
NRFL RD11 Result: Lynn Avon 1 v Springs 1
Western Springs took a massive step towards claiming their maiden Northern League title with a fantastic team performance in their one all draw against arch rivals Lynn Avon. The draw maintains Springs unbeaten league record this season and keeps them 3 points clear over Lynn Avon with just one game remaining. Springs need to beat Suburbs at home next week to claim the title for the first time in their history. After a tightly contested first half Springs dominated proceedings in the second half only to fall behind to a Kirsty Yallop strike on the counter attack but Renee Leota showed her class with a superb diving header to even the scores inside the last ten minutes. The game also marked the return to action for striker Rosie White after 7 months out with a knee injury.
CUP SF Result: Springs 0 v Lynn Avon 1
Western Springs suffered defeat for the first time in over a year and the first time this season as they lost their grip on the National Knockout Cup trophy. Lynn Avon's 74th goal from Sarah Gregorious was enough to separate the two teams. Springs couldn't find a reply and remained goalless again for the first time this season. Lynn Avon will know meet Western FC from Christchurch in the final at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday 13th September. Abby Erceg was named as Springs top performer on the day with Briony Fisher also signalled out for her contribution as a second half substitute. The focus now turns to league action next weekend as they take on Lynn Avon for a second time in a week in a game which will decide the league title.
NRFL RD10 Result: Waitakere 1 v Springs 6
After another three week break in league action Springs showed no signs of dropping off the pace as they kept up their perfect record this season with another win away at Waitakere City. The 6-1 victory being the 10th straight in the Northern Premier League. Springs were expected the usual 1pm KO but were told 5 mins into their warm up they had to start at 12.30. It certainly didn't effect them as they went ahead after 2 mins through Jamie Hackett. Leanne Tiffen, Jessie Verdon and Bella Bramwell all added to the tally within the opening 15 minutes to bury any hopes of a surprise Waitakere victory. Hackett and Tiffen both added a second goal each to round off the scoreline in what was a comfortable win leading into next weekends big semi final clash with Lynn Avon. Liz Milne was named the Springs star performer on the day.
Springs Draw Lynn Avon in Semi
Western Springs have been drawn against Lynn Avon Utd in the National Knockout Cup Semi Final scheduled for Sunday 24th August 2008. Springs have home advantage with the game to be played at Seddon Fields. On the way to last seasons cup triumph Springs hosted both the semi and final in which a large crowd turned up for both games. The club will be looking to create the same environment this year too. Springs have made light work of the early rounds with 12-0 and 10-0 wins but were made to fight hard in their quarter final 3-0 win over Glenfield Rovers. The game will be a star studded affair with up to 7 Football Ferns, 5 U20s and 6 U17s on show. The club will list all info on the website.
NRFL RD09 Result: Springs 4 v Claudelands 1
Western Springs continued their unbeaten run in all competitions taking the sequence to 12 wins in a row. The last defeat coming on 15th August 2007. The squads strength in depth showed as the team were without coach Paul Temple, Briony Fisher, Nadia Pearl, Jessica Rollings, Claudia Crasborn, Hannah Wall & Rosie White who were all away with the U17s in Paraguay. Renee Leota and Abby Erceg are in China with the Football Ferns and Elizabeth Milne was away in Wellington. Springs still managed to run out comfortable winners, after an early set back saw Claudelands take the lead goals from Bex O'Neill, Grace Vincent, Jaime Hackett and Bella Bramwell made certain Springs claimed the points and remained top of the standings. There are no league matches scheduled for the next two weekends.
CUP QF Result: Springs 3 v Glenfield 0
Western Springs made it through to the last four of the National Knockout Cup for the third straight season with a 3-0 victory over Glenfield Rovers at Seddon Fields on Wednesday night which was a repeat of the 2007 final. A second half scoring spree saw Springs net all three goals within a five minute period of dominance but were made to work hard by a well organized and passionate Glenfield team. Renee Leota opened the scoring on 73 minutes, Jaime Hackett added a second on 75 and Grace Vincent made the game safe with a strike on 78 minutes. The win makes Springs the first team in the hat for the semi final with the three other quarter finals taking place on Sunday 13th July. The semi stage of the competition goes into a national draw with the matches scheduled for the weekend of 10th August.
Springs Crew off to Paraguay
Six Western Springs players have been named in the New Zealand U17 Women's Squad to travel to South America at the weekend where they will take on fellow World Cup qualifiers Paraguay in a three match series. The games will take place in the Paraguayan capital Asuncion on the 13th, 16th and 19th of July. Briony Fisher has been named team captain for the Young Ferns and is joined by Nadia Pearl, Claudia Crasborn, Jessica Rollings, Hannah Wall & Rosie White in the traveling party. The team is also coached by Springs coach Paul Temple. Full coverage of the tour including results, interviews, updates and match reports will be available at www.nzfootball.co.nz. Paul Temple & Briony Fisher will also be doing a tour diary which can be found on the Auckland Football website.
Cup Quarter Final Wednesday
A repeat of last year's final will take place on Wednesday 2nd July at Seddon Fields as Western Springs were drawn at home in the quarter finals for the National Knockout Cup against Glenfield Rovers. Both teams scored double figure wins on Sunday in the round of 32 with Glenfield beating Oratia 13-0 and Springs beating Waiuku 10-0. Both teams have agreed to play the fixture tonight before the proposed date of Sunday 13th July. With the NZ U17 Trip to Paraguay (see above) both teams would have been without 6 players each. The game will decide who will be the first name in the hat for the semi finals which take place mid August. Springs have a full squad to choose from Abby Erceg returns after missing Sunday's match through injury.
CUP RD02 Result: Springs 10 v Waiuku 0
Western Springs continued their impressive form with their 11th straight victory in all competitions when they beat Division 1 side Waiuku in the last 32 of the National Knockout Cup. Chelsey Wood was named player of the day for her contribution but Renee Leota stole the goal scoring show with 4 goals to her name. Jaime Hackett, Grace Vincent, Leanne Tiffen, Chelsey Wood, Bex O'Neil and Hannah Wall got the other goals in the 10-0 win. Springs went into the break 7 nil to the good but could only add a further 3 after Waiuku showed their spirit by never giving up and making it hard for the home side. The cup win keeps Springs 100% record this season alive for another week, next week their is a break in league action before the cup quarter finals take place in two weeks time.
NRFL RD08 Result: Springs 3 v Glenfield 0
Western Springs made it eight from eight as the remained the country's only un-beaten top flight team. The rain poured down prior to kick off but the surface withheld the downpour and a few hours of sunshine feel in perfect time for kick off. Jaime Hackett got the hoops off to a good start with a 30 yarder after 12 minutes. Captain Rebecca O'Neill added a second before the break with yet another headed goal from a set play. The second half never reached the quality it should have but despite numerous spurred chances Springs got a third with substitute Renee Leota heading home from a wide free kick. The win puts Springs six points clear of the nearest rivals Lynn Avon and fourteen clear of Three Kings in the title race, next week is back to cup duty against Waiuku at Seddon Fields, the game kicks off at 1pm.
CUP RD01 Result: Fencibles 0 v Springs 12
Western Springs started the defense of their National Knockout Cup title in style with a thumping 12-0 victory over Fencibles at Riverhills Park on Sunday. It took just three minutes for Springs to open the scoring with Hannah Wall heading home from a Bramwell cross. It was five nil at the break but Springs didn't take their foot off the pedal in the second spell adding another seven goals in the final 45 minutes. Hannah Wall finished with 4 goals, Bella Bramwell grabbed herself a hat trick, Jaime Hackett netted a double with the others goals coming from Grace Vincent, Briony Fisher & Jessica Rollings. Hannah Wall & Briony Fisher were consistent performers for the hoops but Bella Brawmell was named player of the day for her all round display. The next round is in two weeks time with the draw to take place next week.
NRFL RD07 Result: 3Kings 0 v Springs 1
Western Springs made it a very successful 4 days by beating Three Kings Utd at Keith Hay Park on Sunday to make it two wins in a week against their title contenders. The win puts Springs a massive 10pts clear of the current champions and 3pts clear of Lynn Avon. The opening 25mins of the game was a spectacle to behold as Springs produced some fantastic fast flowing football and created numerous goal scoring chances. It was however a great contest throughout as 3Kings looked dangerous on the counter attack. With the scores still level at the break the one and deciding goal came from the stand out player on the pitch Renee Leota. After dispossessing Hannah Rishworth, Leota produced a moment of brilliance as she jinked her way through two challenges and into the area to finish calmly at the near post.
NRFL RD06 Result: Springs 3 v Lynn Avon 1
Western Springs took a massive step in the title race on wednesday night by beating their closest rivals Lynn Avon 3-1 at Seddon Fields. Both teams went into the game with 100% records after 5 games but Springs have now given themselves a three point lead at the top of the table and maintain their perfect record this year. It was again the Wellington connection at the club that made the difference. After conceding first Springs fought their way back to 1-1 at half time thanks to Rebecca O'Neill's goal from a corner. After the break strike pairing Renee Leota and Hannah Wall got a goal each to make the game safe and bag the points that Springs deserved. This Sunday sees Springs visit current champions Three Kings Utd at Keith Hay Park in a 1pm kick off.
NRFL RD05 Result: Suburbs 1 v Springs 2
It continued to be a perfect start to the season for Western Springs as they continued their winning ways away at Eastern Suburbs on Sunday 25th May. Springs won 2-1 thanks to goals from Grace Vincent and Priscilla Duncan but as has become the norm lately it wasn't all plain sailing. Springs dominated the entire game with the lion share of possession and chances but it seemed it wasn't to be the 'hoops' day as Suburbs cleared chance after chance off their own goal line. Vincent got the breakthrough against her old club after 55 mins but Suburbs equalised against the run of play with 20 mins remaining. This week it was Priscilla Duncan who netted the winner with 10 mins to go, another header from a corner. Springs now have a break over queens birthday before taking on Lynn Avon (4th) and Three Kings (8th) in the space of four days.
NRFL RD04 Result: Springs 1 vs Waitakere 0
Western Springs left it late for the second week in a row as they disposed of Waitakere City 1-0 at Seddon Fields on Sunday. A Grace Vincent goal ten minutes from time was enough to secure the maximum points. Waitakere were pinned back in their own half for the majority of the game but Springs were guilty of being wasteful around the penalty area. Springs went about there work with the usual 'easy on the eye' approach but the retreating Waitakere team keep them out on numerous occasions. Despite the dominance in possession and territory Springs just couldn't find that finishing touch but Vincent saved their blushes with a toe poke home after going through 1on1 with Jenny Bindon. The win leaves Springs on a maximum 12 points from 12 and level with Lynn Avon at the top of the table.
NRFL RD03 Result: Claudelands 1 v Springs 2
Western Springs made it three wins from three after a hard fought victory over an impressive Claudelands side in Hamilton on Sunday. Trailing 1-0 at the break Springs showed their battling qualities to come from behind and take all three points. Sarah McLaughlin put the Waikato side ahead on 17 minutes but a second half goal from Renee Leota on the hour settled the nerves. Rebecca O'Neill lead by example with a true captain's performance an capped off a good display with the winning goal with five minutes remaining. It's the third goal of the season from attacking corners, a weapon Springs are using with great effect. Coach Temple was happy with the result and praised Claudelands efforts throughout the game. Springs are in action again next Sunday against Waitakere.
NRFL RD02 Result: Glenfield 0 v Springs 2
Western Springs Premier Women made it two wins from two games after a 4 week hiatus in the Northern Premier League. Springs dispatched Glenfield 2-0 at North Harbour Stadium on Wednesday 7th May with two goals in two mins from strike pairing Jaime Hackett and Hannah Wall. Hackett who continued her goal scoring form started things off with a great finish after being slipped through by Wall. Erceg then produced a raking 40 yard through ball down the left channel for Wall to out pace the backline and finish under pressure to grap Springs second. On a freezing cold Auckland night the game never really hit the high notes in the second half but Springs professional performance was worthy of the 3 point haul. The hoops play Claudelands in Hamilton on Sunday.
NRFL RD01 Result: Springs 3 v Three Kings 1
The new Northern League season couldn't of got off to a better start for Western Springs as they grabbed a well deserved victory over current league champions Three Kings Utd. Springs fell behind in the 5th minute but got in front at half time with two well worked corners leaving Abby Erceg and Rebecca O'Neill with free headers to but Springs in front. The second half was a much better display of quality, Renee Leota grabbed the match winner with 8 minutes to go after a defensive mix up. Hannah Wall and Rebecca O'Neill both had 1on1's with the keeper to add to the score while Pam Yates made 1 crucial save to deny Zoe Thompson. A very good team performance and a perfect start to the new season for last years National Cup Winners. See coaches column for details and match report.