A competitive National Women's League is shaping up after first round action saw a couple of surprise scorelines on the last weekend in September, with reigning champions Auckland United held to a 1-1 draw by Waterside Karori at Martin Luckie Park, where both teams struck the woodwork in the second spell. The visitors suffered an early setback when captain Talisha Green had to leave the fray just ten minutes into the contest, but made light of it and took the lead soon after half-time via a Rene Wasi header. Kendall Pollock dragged "The Magpies" back on level terms just after the hour mark, and kept the title-holders honest in the final thirty minutes to earn a share of the spoils for the home team, something which Eastern Suburbs and Southern United also had to settle for as they fought out a scoreless affair at Madills Farm, Kenya Brooke hitting the bar at the death for "The Lilywhites". Goals flowed elsewhere, with five being witnessed at each of the other venues. Canterbury United Pride came from behind to down Wellington Phoenix 4-1 at English Park, where the home team survived a couple of early scares before Rebecca Trewhitt fired the visitors in front in the 25th minute. It was Wellington's turn to play a dangerous game in defence seven minutes before half-time, and they were punished for it by Charlotte Mortlock, while within seven minutes of the second half starting, goals from Nicola Dominikovich and Bo Burton put the Cantabrians in the driving seat, with substitute Anna McPhie's well-struck free-kick sixteen minutes from time wrapping up the victory. The other team from the capital enjoyed greater reward, Central Region Premier Women's League champions Wellington United scoring a 3-2 win at Kate Sheppard Cup finalists Western Springs. Nea Blackham exploited some poor defending to open the scoring for "The Diamonds" twenty minutes into the contest, but a half-time rev-up from coach Maia Vink saw "The Hoops" hit back soon after the interval through Rina Hirano's snorter and Charli Dunn's towering header, which crossed the line before the ball was headed back into play by a defender. Libby Boobyer levelled things up just after the hour mark with a superbly taken goal on the turn from eight yards, while with the full time whistle

moments away, Natalie Olson clinched a come-from-behind win for United, although there was a hint of offside about the winning goal. Topping the table after the opening round of action is West Coast Rangers, who comfortably accounted for Central Football 5-0 at Massey University, Emily Lyon opening the scoring just eight minutes into the contest. Close-range finishes from Bree Johnson and Shannon Henson put the game beyond Central before the half-time whistle, on the stroke of which Nicole Stratford struck the first of her brace, capitalising on a corner in the first instance, then unleashing a cross-shot which beat home team 'keeper Leonie Heck all ends up halfway through the second spell. Two rounds have already been played in the National Women's Youth League, with reigning champions Canterbury United Pride coming from behind to down Western Springs 3-2 before succumbing to a brace of Isabella Temple goals as Wellington Phoenix prevailed 2-1 at English Park to make it two wins from two, having edged Fencibles United 1-0 at Riverhills Park in the opening round. Zoe Benson struck twice as Eastern Suburbs mauled Melville United 5-0 at Gower Park, but "The Lilywhites" were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Southern United a week later, the visitors' second draw in as many matches - they drew 1-1 with Capital Football on opening day. Capital also drew their second match, sharing four goals with Fencibles, while Central Football accounted for Melville 2-0 at Massey University to leave the beaten side propping up the table after two rounds of action. Details: Canterbury United Pride 4 (C. Mortlock (38), N. Dominikovich (49), B. Burton (52), A. McPhie (74)), Wellington Phoenix 1 (R. Trewhitt (25))  HT 1-1 Central Football 0, West Coast Rangers 5 (E. Lyon (8), B. Johnson (17), S. Henson (36), N. Stratford (45, 65))  HT 0-4 Eastern Suburbs 0, Southern United 0 Waterside Karori 1 (K. Pollock (62)), Auckland United 1 (R. Wasi (53))  HT 0-0 Western Springs 2 (R. Hirano (48), C. Dunn (55)), Wellington United 3 (N. Blackham (20), L. Boobyer (61), N. Olson (88))  HT 0-1