Auckland United's lead at the top of the Lotto Northern Premier Women's League has increased to six points after nearest rivals West Coast Rangers were held to a 2-2 draw by Western Springs, while the reigning champions humbled Hibiscus Coast 5-1 on a night the visitors were the victims of a refereeing decision deserving of every negative adjective you'll find in Roget's Thesaurus! Marcus Turner was the man in the middle at Keith Hay Park on Saturday evening, and while he hasn't impressed in his previous efforts with the whistle in the top league in the country, on this occasion he stooped to depths hitherto unknown in the 31st minute. United had already got off to a solid start, Angela Pivac sweeping home in style to cap off a Saskia Vosper-inspired seventh minute attack. But "The Coasters" had recovered from that early setback and were matching their opponents stride for stride when the referee awarded Coast a free-kick in the 31st minute, even though it was the visitors who had committed the foul. Seconds later, with the majority of Coast's players having moved into Auckland's half of the pitch, the referee realised his mistake and reversed his decision, then compounded his blunder by allowing Ava Collins to take a quick free-kick while the visitors were still reacting to the change in circumstances. Ruby Nathan was on Collins' wavelength and tucked the ball home past a bemused Leah Botica. When the goal was awarded, Hibiscus Coast's reaction was apoplexy personified! Players, coaching staff and fans alike were absolutely filthy with the official, and with every justification - this was way, way wrong, and finished the game as a contest. Within ten minutes, Auckland had doubled their advantage to four goals, Pivac and Nathan both striking again before the former suffered a leg injury just before half-time which brought a premature ending to her evening, and perhaps her season - it didn't look great, that's for sure. Miya Stott pulled a goal back for the visitors in first half stoppage time, with United temporarily down to ten, but once restored to their full complement, they enjoyed the better of the second spell, with Vosper hitting the post and Collins spurning a couple of great chances to find the net before Alexis Cook wrapped up the scoring fourteen minutes from time. Even then, Coast were again hard done by, referee Turner ignoring a foul on Danica Urlich-Beech which sparked the Auckland attack resulting in the game's final goal. Little wonder the visitors spent a lengthy period of time in a post-match huddle as they endeavoured to come to terms with the injustices they had endured throughout proceedings. The calibre and consistency of referees appointed to oversee fixtures in a competition which sees four of its contenders progressing to the National Women's League - one of whom, lest we forget, could realistically find themselves competing in the inaugural FIFA Women's Club World Cup Finals in 2025 - continues to be a major issue within the game. One wonders (and seriously doubts) if they take the women's game as seriously as those who play it and/or devote a significant chunk of their lives to

it. In this writer's eyes, the pool of match officials who oversee the action in the Lotto Northern Premier League (and its regional equivalents) should also be appointed to matches in the Lotto Northern Premier Women's League. The winners of both competitions could potentially be playing in their respective FIFA Club World Cup Finals events the following year, so there can be no excuses for the above not to be standard practice going forward. As an aside, it'd be interesting to see the reaction within the game were the roles to be reversed, i.e. those who referee NPWL fixtures be appointed to take charge of matches in the equivalent male competition … it would be a real "welcome to our world" experience for many who don't follow the women's game, that's for sure! The battle of the "Westies" at Fred Taylor Park on Sunday saw the honours shared, as Western Springs held West Coast Rangers to a 2-2 draw, a result which allowed Auckland to extend their advantage at the top of the table to six points with six rounds remaining. The point secured National Women's League football for Rangers, who found themselves trailing to a dipping Alosi Bloomfield twenty-five yarder on the quarter hour. But goals inside the last ten minutes of the half from Emily Lyon - a super flying header - and Shannon Henson turned things round for the home team, only for Megan Lee to swoop from close range halfway through the second spell and level the scores in this hard-fought affair. Eastern Suburbs relied on the refreshed and revitalised Kenya Brooke to get them out of jail at Porritt Stadium as they eked out a 1-0 win over Hamilton Wanderers, the half-time substitute's goal strengthening "The Lilywhites"' grip on a top four berth. "The Blue Army", meanwhile, have just six games left to avoid relegation, and the team they have to overhaul is Ellerslie, who were edged out 2-1 by Fencibles United at Riverhills Park in another game marred by controversial officiating - a clear handball by a "Fencies" team-mate prior to Kate Berry bagging the first of her two goals, her efforts sandwiching an Abby Wright equaliser for "The Ponies", who have had a rough ride dubious decisions-wise this season. Everything takes place on Sunday this weekend, with "The Lilywhites" and "The Hoops" engaging in a key clash for the top four at Madills Farm. "The Coasters" welcome Rangers to Stanmore Bay Reserve, while Fencibles face a road trip to Hamilton's Porritt Stadium. All three matches kick off at the standard time of 1pm, and as the final whistles are being blown, Ellerslie and Auckland will be about to get under way at Michaels Avenue. Details: Auckland United 5 (A. Pivac (7, 40), R. Nathan (32, 43), A. Cook (76)), Hibiscus Coast 1 (M, Stott (45))  HT 4-1 Fencibles United 2 (K. Berry (22, 52)), Ellerslie 1 (A. Wright (34))  HT 1-1 Hamilton Wanderers 0, Eastern Suburbs 1 (K. Brooke (57))  HT 0-0 West Coast Rangers 2 (E. Lyon (37), S. Henson (45)), Western Springs 2 (A. Bloomfield (15), M. Lee (66))  HT 2-1