Auckland United and West Coast Rangers scored come-from-behind wins in their respective Lotto Northern Premier Women's League clashes on Friday evening, a round which was a good one for the home teams. United did everything but score against Ellerslie in the first half of their clash at Keith Hay Park, and when Abby Wright fired "The Ponies" in front ten minutes into the second half, Auckland fans could have been forgiven for thinking it was going to be one of those nights. But Ben Bate's charges had other ideas. Spurred on by going behind, they levelled the scores within four minutes through Danielle Canham, and within twelve minutes put themselves in complete control courtesy Charlotte Roche and Rene Wasi, before Chloe Knott wrapped up a 4-1 win ten minutes from time. Across town at Fred Taylor Park, Rangers found themselves trailing to a Gabrielle Hislop goal inside the first two minutes of their clash with Hibiscus Coast, who were keen to impress that their close call against the league leaders last weekend wasn't a flash in the pan. The home team turned things around however, Shannon Henson bagging a brace either side of the half-time whistle, her efforts sandwiching an Anelise Karakostas striker just shy of the interval which ultimately left "The Coasters" with too great an obstacle to overcome. They certainly tried to, with Danica Urlich-Beech notching her seventh goal of the campaign as she continues to make a strong case for her inclusion in the Junior Ferns' squad to contest the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Finals in Colombia later this year. That goal brought about the final scoreline, 3-2 to West Coast, who remain a point abaft Auckland after nine rounds. At Madills Farm on Sunday, Eastern Suburbs took on Western Springs in a top four "six-pointer", the home team taking the lead in the eleventh minute through a superb Sammi Tawharu volley. That should have been the equaliser, however, for Megan Lee had already spurned a great chance to score for "The Hoops", and Kitty Jacob repeated the dose as the half-hour mark approached.

When Hannah Saxon's deft near post flick from a Katy Gothard corner on the stroke of half-time nutmegged Amberley Hollis en route to crossing the line, Suburbs were two goals to the good, an advantage they needed, as Springs threw everything but the kitchen sink at their hosts in an enthralling second spell. They were rewarded for their endeavour sixteen minutes from time when Lee halved the deficit, but couldn't find an equaliser, while Springs' former striker, Suburbs' Sofia Garcia, was denied an early birthday present in the shadows of the half-time whistle when the offside flag ruled out her goal, which meant Suburbs prevailed by a 2-1 scoreline. A few miles further east at Riverhills Park, Fencibles United didn't have it all their own way against a Hamilton Wanderers side buoyed by their stunning victory over Suburbs a week ago. But goals in the first seven minutes of the second spell from Hayley Miller and Rosie Missen put "Fencies" on course for a victory which strengthened their grip on third place. Missen bagged a third goal twenty minutes from time for the home team, while Lily Brazendale struck a stoppage time consolation goal for "The Blue Army", who fell to a 3-1 defeat on this occasion. It doesn't get any easier for Hamilton - they welcome Auckland to Porritt Stadium on Sunday, one of the few occasions this season when all four games in the round take place on the Sabbath. Suburbs and Fencibles meet in the game of the round at Madills Farm, while "The Hoops" head to Stanmore Bay to take on "The Coasters" on a day "The Ponies" entertain Rangers at Michaels Avenue. Details: Auckland United 4 (D. Canham (59), C. Roche (70), R. Wasi (71), C. Knott (80)), Ellerslie 1 (A. Wright (55))  HT 0-0 Eastern Suburbs 2 (S. Tawharu (11), H. Saxon (45)), Western Springs 1 (M. Lee (74))  HT 2-0 Fencibles United 3 (H. Miller (50), R. Missen (52, 70)), Hamilton Wanderers 1 (L. Brazendale (90))  HT 0-0 West Coast Rangers 3 (S. Henson (22, 50), A. Karakostas (41)), Hibiscus Coast 2 (G. Hislop (2), D. Urlich-Beech (69))  HT 2-1