It was a great day to be a travelling team in the Lotto Northern Premier Women's League on July 28, as all four teams on the road recorded wins in a closely fought round of action which saw the battle to finish in the top four take another twist. Western Springs produced a performance befitting of a team which knew it wasn't far away from the last chance saloon as far as their hopes of National Women's League qualification went at Madills Farm on this gorgeously sunny Sunday afternoon, overcoming Eastern Suburbs 2-1 to throw the race for the last two spots in the top four wide open. A Suburbs win would have left Springs seven points off the pace with five rounds remaining - a not insurmountable situation, but there would have been no room for error for "The Hoops", while they would also have been relying on other results to go their way. Instead, they now find themselves a point behind "The Lilywhites" after a thoroughly deserved victory which was sparked by Rina Hirano's eighteenth minute goal in a first half dominated by the visitors - had they potted a couple more goals, Suburbs could have had no complaints. The home team responded with a tactical change for the second spell which paid immediate dividends, Zoe Benson belting home a beauty inside the first minute of the half to level the scores in one of the best contests seen this season - the pace at which the game was being played wasn't for the faint-hearted, and the challenges were every bit as willing. A battle royal ensued, but a wild challenge on Anya Stephan in the 69th minute had well-performed referee Othmane Jebli instantly pointing to the penalty spot, from where Megan Lee restored Springs' lead, albeit only just - Nikki Whyte got her hands to it, but couldn't keep it out. "The Hoops" held onto their advantage, but only just, Charli Dunn slicing a clearance inches past her own post in the dying minutes, seconds after a teasing Erinna Wong cross-shot had been pawed out from beneath her crossbar by Angelique Tuisamoa. Fencibles United took full advantage of this result to take over third place on the table, but they were made to work hard for their 2-0 win over Hamilton Wanderers, Millie Loxton's goal on the stroke of half-time at Porritt Stadium breaking the resistance

of "The Blue Army" and changing the team talk of the home team significantly. Alas for Hamilton, they weren't able to peg back their rivals, falling further behind twenty minutes from time when Taylah Byers confirmed Fencibles' victory on a weekend when the club's Director of Football, Martin Rodwell, who has done more than most to re-establish the women's football programme at the East Auckland club, announced he would be stepping down from the role at season's end - he'll be a big loss to "Fencies", make no mistake. The only good news for Hamilton on this day was that nearest rivals Ellerslie also endured a 2-0 loss, Auckland United prevailing by that margin - it could have been much greater had they taken their first half chances at Michaels Avenue - thanks to lobbed second half finishes from Ruby Nathan and Alexis Cook. That result saw United maintain their six-point advantage over West Coast Rangers on the table, a result of the latter's 3-0 win at Hibiscus Coast, who succumbed to a Shannon Henson strike on the half-hour before Marissa Porteous potted a free-kick early in the second spell, then wrapped up the scoring in stoppage time. Two Friday night fixtures are on the cards this week, with home wins expected as Rangers and Springs welcome "The Ponies" and "The Coasters" to Fred Taylor Park and Seddon Fields respectively for 7.30pm kick-offs. Sunday's fare sees Auckland hosting Hamilton at Keith Hay Park, while the clash of Fencibles and "The Lilywhites" at Riverhills Park has "six-pointer" written all over it - a "Fencies" win is critical, given the fixtures they have on the horizon, while victory for Suburbs, after their defeat in this round, is nigh on imperative for their top-four prospects. Details: Eastern Suburbs 1 (Z. Benson (46)), Western Springs 2 (R. Hirano (18), M. Lee (69 pen))  HT 0-1 Ellerslie 0, Auckland United 2 (R. Nathan (62), A. Cook (76))  HT 0-0 Hamilton Wanderers 0, Fencibles United 2 (M. Loxton (45), T. Byers (71))  HT 0-1 Hibiscus Coast 0, West Coast Rangers 3 (S. Henson (30), M. Porteous (53, 90))  HT 0-1