Football: Newcomers Taradale extend unbeaten stretch in women's Fed League

Striker Aleesha Heywood scored a goal for Taradale women in their Fed League soccer match yesterday. PHOTO/FILE

Taradale AFC are making all the right noises in their debut season of the women's Federation League this season.

The Dave Carswell-coached side pipped Football Whanganui 3-2 at Taradale Park yesterday to remain unbeaten in the six-team GR Engineering-sponsored soccer league.

The Bluewater Hotel-sponsored Maroons were 2-1 up at halftime after the visitors made their intentions clear in just the 23rd minute in conditions that were heavy underfoot and would have suited their style, considering Whanganui collects a fair bit of rain annually.

However, Aimee Watkins struck back in the 27th minute to level at 1-all, before striker Aleesha Heywood gave the hosts a psychological advantage in the 33rd minute all the way into the changing rooms.

Football Whanganui came out even more determined in the second half and squared the game at 2-all before Heywood again found the net in the 77th minute.

The Alex Simons-captained Taradale side retained their ascendancy until the final whistle, the victory leaving them on top of the table on 21 points after seven games.

They sit above Palmerston North Marist Reserves, on 16 points, after they beat Withers Coachlines Moturoa FC 2-0 yesterday.

Rothbury Insurance Brokers Port Hill United, of Napier, succumbed 2-1 to New Plymouth Girls' High First XI at Wembley Park in Whanganui.

Carswell said even though Football Whanganui were winless and last on the standings and Porthill were above them with two wins, that did not reflect the standard of football played.

In his second term at the helm of Taradale, he said they played in the Hawke's Bay league last winter but they jumped at the chance to foot it at the Fed League level.

"We have a five-year plan to work hard and get us as far as we can with the talent we've got."

Traditional powerhouses Palerston North Marist are playing in the women's Capital Football league this winter.

The goal is for Taradale to try to gain promotion to the Capital Football league as well in a couple of years.

"Maybe we can take a [composite] team from here," Carswell said.

Taradale face Porthill in a 1pm derby next Sunday at Marewa Park, Napier.