Football: Gross, Sandle doubles help Northland FC to comfortable win

Northland FC's Anya Gross scored twice in the 4-0 win over Te Atatu, setting up their next Federation One Cup tie against Norwest United. Photo / Tania Whyte

Northland FC continued their recent surge with a comfortable 4-0 win over Te Atatu Debtworks to start their Federation One Cup run off strongly.

Doubles from both Trudy Sandle and Anya Gross made sure of the result in a match that didn't all go Northland's way.

Going into the match as favourites, Northland found the Te Atatu defence difficult to penetrate early on as they packed in.

Te Atatu were looking to hold on throughout the first half and did just that, not allowing Northland many quality looks at goal.

Northland would have been frustrated going into the halftime break deadlocked, given they made much of the running.

The second half, however, was a completely different story.

Knowing one goal would probably be enough to force Te Atatu into a more attacking game plan, which would open up plenty of holes on the defensive end, Northland continued to hunt.

Northland's opening goal came through impressive midfielder Gross and from there the floodgates were well and truly opened.

Another goal to Gross and then a brace to Sandle were more than enough as Te Atatu faltered defensively as their search for breakthrough goals left them wanting.

Their next test in the Federation One Cup comes in the form of Norwest United at Huapai Reserve on July 8.

But first they must turn their focus back to the AFF/NFF Women's Conference.

Northland currently sit in fifth on the ladder with a three win, one draw and two loss record.

They take on bottom of the table Manukau City, who they trounced 7-1 earlier in the season, at Tikipunga Sports Park on Sunday.