Auckland United became the first team outside the default Wellington Phoenix entry to qualify for this season's National Women's League on Bastille Day weekend, edging Western Springs 1-0 at Keith Hay Park to maintain their four-point advantage atop the table as they seek to retain their Lotto Northern Premier Women's League crown. Charlotte Roche's goal early in the second spell separated the sides, as "The Hoops" gave United plenty to ponder throughout this hard-fought Central Auckland derby between two of the Kate Sheppard Cup semi-finalists. West Coast Rangers are a win away from joining Auckland in the NWL after overpowering Eastern Suburbs 4-2 at a windswept Madills Farm, a match which featured three goalkeeping howlers in the first half. Nikki Whyte contributed two of them, the first just three minutes into the match after she gifted possession to Emily Lyon having raced out of her penalty area to clear her lines, only to change plans and dribble past Bree Johnson. Lyon said "Muchas Gracias", and gleefully fired into the empty net some thirty yards away. Whyte then redeemed herself by producing a stunning point-blank save to deny Johnson as the half-hour mark loomed, before two goals in as many minutes just before half-time saw both 'keepers in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Zoe Brazier's dazzling run down the right set up Jess Innes for a near post shot which Joanne Peel, on any given day, would grab without incident. Not today, however, Rangers' 'keeper making a complete dog's breakfast of things to score an inconceivable own goal. Referee Will Roberts, who allowed at least three shirt-pulling incidents to go unpunished during an error-ridden display of officiating, extended his kindness to the 'keeper by crediting Innes with the goal, but this was unquestionably an "oggie", and should be recognised as such in the annals. Within two minutes, the visitors were back in front, Whyte again at fault with another error of judgement. This time it was Johnson who took full advantage of the opening, and she added a second for good measure five minutes after the break, a superb strike which showcased her speed and striker's instincts splendidly as she fired across Whyte into the far corner. 3-1 became 4-1 soon after, Anelise Karakostas breasting the ball into the net after fine work by Lyon on the right culminated in her beating two opponents with a measured cross which should have killed off the game as a contest. Suburbs had other ideas, but only had one more goal to show for their efforts - what a goal, though! Classic Sofia Garcia, surrounded by defenders some twenty yards from goal, yet still managed to engineer space from which she found a "postage stamp" - a striker's goal of high quality seventeen

minutes from time. Defeats for Suburbs and Springs opened the way for Fencibles United to climb back into the top four, and they achieved their objective by coming from behind to conquer Hibiscus Coast 3-1 at Riverhills Park. Miya Stott gave "The Coasters" the perfect start with a seventh minute strike which put them on course to maintain their recent run of good form, which has seen them become part of the conversation where the top four finishers are concerned. Two "Fencies" goals in quick succession soon after half-time - from Millee Loxton and Mischa Marais - put the home team in the driving seat, however, and substitute Sienna Vercauteren marked her debut by netting in stoppage time to confirm victory for United, who have got a terrific opportunity to consolidate their top four hopes in the next couple of weeks. Parity prevailed in the battle of the bottom two, with Hamilton Wanderers and Ellerslie sharing the spoils in a 1-1 affair at Porritt Stadium, an encounter which both teams had chances to win. "The Blue Army" struck first through Lily Brazendale, but "The Ponies" should have equalised straight away, only for Leigh Aitken to hit the post from the penalty spot. Kimberley Oosterbeek scrambled home an equaliser from a corner six minutes before the interval, either side of which Ellerslie had chances to score, while they also lost Anita Trudgen to injury. Two of the visitors' opportunities came from uncalled penalties, referee Kavish Chand ignoring fouls against Kate Duncan and Hollie Leona, much to Ellerslie's consternation. But the visitors had a "heart in mouth" moment in the shadows of the full-time whistle as a Hamilton shot crashed against their crossbar - six inches lower would have made a world of difference to the home team's cause, but they remain five points adrift with seven rounds to play. The final third of the season kicks off this weekend, with Auckland welcoming "The Coasters" to Keith Hay Park for a Saturday evening encounter. Sunday's fare sees Rangers and "The Hoops" squaring off at Fred Taylor Park, while "The Lilywhites" make the trip to Hamilton on a day "Fencies" and "The Ponies" square off at Riverhills Park. Details: Auckland United 1 (C. Roche (48)), Western Springs 0  HT 0-0 Eastern Suburbs 2 ("oggie" (41), S. Garcia (73)), West Coast Rangers 4 (E. Lyon (3), B. Johnson (43, 50), A. Karakostas (56))  HT 1-2 Fencibles United 3 (M. Loxton (49), M. Marais (51), S. Vercauteren (90)), Hibiscus Coast 1 (M. Stott (7))  HT 0-1 Hamilton Wanderers 1 (L. Brazendale (17)), Ellerslie 1 (K. Oosterbeek (39))  HT 1-1