There's all to play for in the final week of the Lotto Northern Premier Women's League season, with the title, the two National Women's League positions still up for grabs and the relegation issue set to be decided after the penultimate weekend of the campaign saw surprise wins for the bottom two teams on the table. Ellerslie ended a twelve-match run without a win by downing Hibiscus Coast 1-0 at Stanmore Bay Reserve, Hollie Leona's penalty on the stroke of half-time - after Leigh Aitken had missed a spot-kick earlier in the half - bringing to an end a horrendous run of form for "The Ponies", whose last win prior to this was recorded on May 5. Ryan Shiffman's charges would have been thinking this win over "The Coasters" would be suffice to secure their Premier League status for 2025, but across the Harbour Bridge, Hamilton Wanderers had other ideas on that score as they stunned Kate Sheppard Cup holders Western Springs 2-1 at Seddon Fields. "The Blue Army" had enjoyed victory just once this season prior to this encounter, but will be hoping that this is the first of three wins in a week as they look to overhaul a five-point gap twixt themselves and Ellerslie in order to retain their place in the league. Captain Maddi Ollington was Hamilton's heroine, netting early in each half - her second half strike came from the penalty spot - as the visitors rained on Rina Hirano's parade, with "The Hoops"' starlet scoring their equaliser on the occasion of her 100th appearance for the club. The top two both scored home wins on Friday evening to keep the race for the title bubbling along nicely. League leaders Auckland United survived a stern examination from Eastern Suburbs before prevailing 1-0 at Keith Hay Park, Chelsea Elliott heading home just after the hour mark from a corner taken by Chloe Knott, who saw her penalty saved by Nikki Whyte four minutes after half-time. West Coast Rangers, meanwhile, eased to a 5-2 win over Fencibles United at Fred Taylor Park, Shannon Henson netting a hat-trick to take her tally to sixteen for the season and leave her on the verge of claiming the Golden Boot. Luci Hollister struck twice for Rangers in the first half, with Ella Dorward also finding the net during this spell, albeit at the wrong end. "Fencies" substitute Mischa Marais netted a consolation goal for the visitors in second half stoppage time in a round which saw defeats for all three teams fighting over the two places still up for grabs in the top four. So to a final week of the campaign which will see

everything decided. The destiny of the title is on the line at Keith Hay Park on Tuesday evening, with Auckland, who enjoy a four-point buffer over West Coast on the table, needing to avoid defeat by Rangers in order to retain the trophy on a night only a win will do for the visitors if they want to take the title race to the final day of the season. Twenty-four hours later, two matches take place which have plenty at stake for the teams involved. Perhaps not so much for "The Coasters", but certainly for their opponents at McLennan Park, Hamilton - only a win for "The Blue Army" will do in that match, otherwise they're relegated. Note the neutral venue for this floodlit fixture. Meanwhile, a place in the top four is on offer for Fencibles and "The Hoops", who meet at Riverhills Park. An away win will confirm Springs' place in the National Women's League, while "Fencies", who start the game in fifth place, simply can't afford to drop points if they harbour hopes of extending their season beyond next Sunday. Father's Day potentially sees plenty on the line in the Lotto Northern Premier Women's League. There's a dress rehearsal for the Kate Sheppard Cup Final taking place as Springs and Auckland square off at Seddon Fields, six days before they do so again at North Harbour Stadium, this time with the most prized honour in New Zealand women's club football at stake. Rangers and Suburbs clash at Fred Taylor Park, a match which looms large in "The Lilywhites"' top four aspirations, which are shared by Fencibles, who'll also be seeking a win on the road, Hibiscus Coast's Stanmore Bay Reserve their destination. And then there's what could well be a winner-take-all match at the bottom of the table between two teams who've suddenly rediscovered that winning feeling, Ellerslie and Hamilton. They meet at Michaels Avenue at - for the first time this season at that venue - the standard 1pm kick-off time, with all four matches in the final round starting simultaneously. With something at stake in every fixture, a fascinating final week of the campaign is on the cards. It couldn't have been scripted better! Details: Auckland United 1 (C. Elliott (64)), Eastern Suburbs 0  HT 0-0 Hibiscus Coast 0, Ellerslie 1 (H. Leona (42 pen))  HT 0-1 West Coast Rangers 5 (L. Hollister (11, 40), S. Henson (27, 48, 63 pen)), Fencibles United 2 ("oggie" (20), M. Marais (90))  HT 3-1 Western Springs 1 (R. Hirano (13)), Hamilton Wanderers 2 (M. Ollington (10, 57 pen))  HT 1-1