Football: No room for error for WaiBOP

ON THE BALL: Loaded WaiBOP's Kim Maguire (pictured playing earlier in the season) scored twice for her side on the weekend. PHOTO/ GRAEME BLAKE

Loaded WaiBOP have "no room for error" if they are to challenge for the National Women's League title, according to coach Barry Gardiner.

They emphatically beat Central 4-1 away in Palmerston North yesterday with Rotorua's Kim Maguire grabbing two of the team's goals, leaving them fourth on the table.

WaiBOP were leading 2-0 at half-time thanks to an early goal from Maguire followed up by a long range strike from Sarah Krystman just before the break.

The Rotorua striker then effectively killed the game off when she scored early in the second half.

Central did pull a goal back through Hannah Robert in the 59th minute, but an 88th-minute strike from Leah Gubb for WaiBOP sealed a memorable win that keeps the 2011 finalists in the hunt for the title.

Gardiner was happy with the result and praised his side's first half display, highlighting the performance of Maguire.

"We are definitely happy with the result, putting in four goals and the performance was good," he said.

"The first half in particular we knocked the ball around well and we stuck to our game plan which caused them problems. But full credit to Central - they made life more difficult for us in the second half.

"It was great to see Kim get off the mark and hopefully it will give her a confidence boost. She got herself in good positions and her movement was excellent."

WaiBOP take on Auckland, who have yet to record a win this season, at home this weekend and Gardiner warned there was no room for complacency.

"There really is no room for errors. It's a very positive atmosphere in camp at the moment but everybody has to keep performing to stay in the chase for the title."

Meanwhile, defending champions Northern Football underlined their favouritism to claim the National Women's League title with a convincing 8-0 win over Southern United on Saturday at Tahuna Park in Dunedin.

And Capital sunk Auckland to their third straight defeat of the season, winning 3-1 away at William Green Domain on Sunday.

Results

National Women's League Round Three

Southern United 0
Northern Football 8 (CJ Bott 7', Tessa Berger 26', Jane Barnett 41', 58', Sam Tawharu 45', 76', 80', Katie Rood 52')
HT: 0-4

Central 1 (Hannah Robert 59')
WaiBOP 4 (Kim Maguire 5', 56' Sarah Krystman 40', Leah Gubb 88')
HT: 0- 2

Auckland 1 (Hannah Kraakman 84')
Capital 3 (Briar Palmer 25', Maggie Jenkins 45', Michaela Robertson 74')
HT: 0 - 2

National Women's League table

Northern Football 9pts
Capital Football 7
Canterbury United Pride 6
WaiBOP 4
Auckland Football 0
Central Football 0
Southern United 0