Western Springs and Wellington Phoenix fought out a 2-2 draw in their National Women's League encounter at Seddon Fields on October 14, one influenced by a gusty down-the-ground westerly wind which made life challenging for both teams throughout proceedings. "The Hoops" had first use of the wind at their backs, and within two minutes created the game's first opening, Lara Colpi racing down the right before delivering a cross which wasn't cleared. Sofia Garcia was onto the opening in a flash, but her effort was blocked to safety. Four minutes later, Jess Innes teamed up with Garcia to present Megan Lee with a shooting chance, one Charlotte Eagle grabbed greedily at her near post, allowing Wellington to finally settle and establish their influence on proceedings. The visitors certainly had the better of the opening quarter of the match, but defences at both ends of the park were in resolute mood, and chances were at a premium as a consequence. Garcia had the ball in the net in the 26th minute, only for the offside flag to intervene, while Grace Bartlett lashed Wellington's first clear-cut chance over the bar two minutes later, Rebekah Trewhitt and Alyssha Eglinton having combined to present the youngster with the opportunity. Bartlett was afforded another one in the 29th minute, and this time made no mistake. Set up by Daisy Brazendale, she took full advantage of an untimely stumble by Springs captain Lily Jervis to pick out the top corner of Angelique Tuisamoa's net in exquisite fashion. Wellington were good value for their lead, and went close to doubling it five minutes before half-time when Michaela Robertson had caught Tuisamoa in possession just outside the penalty area and promptly set up Kelli Brown, only for the striker to be thwarted by Jervis' vital intervention. Having not called on any of their first team squad members in the previous two rounds, Robertson, Brown, Brazendale and Zoe McMeeken were drafted into Wellington's squad for this fixture, prompting the question, "Is Wellington's playing of professional players in the NWL in keeping with the spirit of the competition?" The other contenders are restricted to a 25-player roster for the NWL season. Wellington Phoenix has already called on 27 players in just four matches, seven of whom are professionals - Mackenzie Barry, Manaia Elliott and Emma Main joined McMeeken in playing at Ellerslie in round one. In a fortnight's time, with no A-League game scheduled, they'll likely stack their team again, this time for the trip to Canterbury United Pride. While Wellington's presence in the competition is welcome, the phrase "level playing field" certainly springs to mind where utilising their playing resources is concerned, particularly when compared with the limitations by which other teams have to abide. Back to the action. Eagle cleared her lines in the 43rd minute, but her kick into the wind only got as far as Arisa Takeda, who has returned to "Hoopsland" for the NWL season. She was lurking some thirty-five yards from goal, and returned the ball with interest, a murderous volley which sailed beyond the in-full-flight Eagle and crashed into the back of the net to get Springs back on level terms, a situation which hadn't looked likely, based on first

half evidence. Buoyed by their equaliser, "The Hoops" threatened again before half-time, Garcia and Innes combining on the right with Ela Jerez. She brought Colpi into play, but the Junior Fern's drive was thwarted by Eagle's flying save to her right. The second half was just three minutes old when Wellington regained the lead in fine style. Robertson won the ball in midfield and slipped it into the stride of McMeeken, driving forward out of defence. And on she ran past all-comers before fair battering a twenty-five yard screamer into the far corner of the net - 2-1 to the visitors, and how! Still reeling from conceding, Springs gave the ball away straight from the kick-off, only to be rescued by Tuisamoa, whose sprawling save denied Brown, a feat "The Hoops"' custodian would repeat in the 71st minute. Before then, however, the home team had raised their game. Takeda's clever arcing off-the-ball run in the 54th minute was spotted by Jervis, who pinged one forward for the flying fullback to exploit. The delivery left her one-on-one with Eagle, who blocked Takeda's shot then swiftly smothered the loose ball - a solid piece of goalkeeping. On the hour, brilliant work by Jerez on the right made Robertson and McMeeken look like a couple of rank amateurs! Alas for the youngster, Garcia failed to do justice to her measured cross with a tame volleyed effort past the post. The striker was eager to make amends for her blemish, and quickly combined with Colpi and Innes to invite Celia Mayo to let rip from twenty-five yards. Her effort wasn't far away, while Colpi's twenty-yarder, in the 63rd minute, was closer still, Eagle right behind the strike. Eleven minutes later, however, the goalkeeper found herself credited with an "oggie" as Springs deservedly levelled the scores for a second time. Colpi's ball forward was touched on by substitute Maia Lythe to Jerez, who cut inside and curled a shot which deflected off a defender. Eagle got her hand to the effort, but could only divert it into her own net - 2-2. A grandstand finish was in order. Cue a crossbar rattler from Eglinton, direct from a corner in the 82nd minute as the visitors looked to take the lead for the third time in the game. Springs responded two minutes later, Innes' corner being cleared to Lythe, who invited Takeda to let fly once more. Her twenty-five yarder fizzed past the post, to which Wellington responded with an 89th minute raid from which Brown would have scored, but for the combined efforts of Mayo, Jaedici Uluvili and Jervis, whose goal-saving tackle was simply stunning. Back came the hosts with the last attack of the match, Innes, Garcia and Jerez leading the charge. McMeeken's timely intervention meant both teams would have to settle for a point apiece, however, 2-2 the final outcome. Springs:     Tuisamoa; Takeda, Jervis, Uluvili, Mayo; Taitimu, Colpi, Innes; Jerez, Lee (Lythe, 46), Garcia Wellington:     Eagle; Trewhitt, Green, E. McMillan, McMeeken; Eglinton, Brazendale, Robertson (Hawes, 64); Brown, Furnell (Candy, 64), Bartlett (McCann, 77) Referee:     Ashley Wilson