Rotorua's Amanda Wilshier in action for Loaded WaiBOP against Canterbury United Pride on the weekend. PHOTO/ ENZO GIORDANI.
Rotorua's Amanda Wilshier in action for Loaded WaiBOP against Canterbury United Pride on the weekend. PHOTO/ ENZO GIORDANI.
Loaded WaiBOP must improve defensively if they are to make the 2016 National Women's League's playoffs, according to coach Barry Gardiner.
Gardiner's statement of intent comes after his side fell to a hefty 6-1 first loss of the season against Canterbury United Pride at John Kerkhof Park Cambridge on Sunday.
The result saw Canterbury leapfrog WaiBOP into third - the last playoff spot, with just one game left to play.
Gardiner said a lack of team unity on the pitch and clinical finishing were the main reasons for his side's defeat.
"We are disappointed with the scoreline and our performance. We didn't perform to our best abilities out there," he said.
"We tried hard individually but didn't work well as a team unit, so we struggled when we were out of position and they capitalised on every chance they had.
"But it's not like we didn't have the opportunities - we had one goal ruled offside and hit the bar, along with other chances."
Gardiner insisted his side will go into next weekend's "do or die" away fixture against second placed Northern with an "upbeat attitude" with all still left to play for.
Loaded WaiBOP must improve defensively if they are to make the 2016 National Women's League playoffs after a hefty defeat on the weekend. PHOTO/ ENZO GIORDANI.
"Everything is still in our own hands," he said. "That is a massive positive - so now isn't the time to hang our heads. We move on from the defeat and focus ahead.
"We've had a blip but we have performed very well this year. The team must remember this. Of course Northern will be a very difficult game but we have the quality in the side to get the result.
"We weren't good enough in defence, that is something we'll work on this week but the main message is that I want players to relax and enjoy the match because I felt nerves affected our last performance."
Meanwhile, Capital Football secured a place in the playoffs when they became the first side to get the better of reigning champions - Northern Football, beating them 2-1 at home in a tight encounter.
And at the bottom of the table Central Football finally tasted victory this season, beating the only other team yet to record a victory - Southern United 2-1 in Palmerston North.
The National Women's League returns next weekend with the seventh and final round with two playoff spots still up for grabs.
National Women's League - Round Six results:
WaiBOP Football 1 (Leah Gubb 49'), Canterbury United Pride 6 (Macey Fraser 16', Aimee Phillips 20', 50', Holly Pascoe 54', 56', Rebecca Lake 82') HT: 0-2.
Central Football 2 (Tilly James, TJ Lyne-Lewis), Southern United 1 (Mikayla Gray) HT: 1-1.
Capital Football 2 (Jayme-Lee Hunter 57', Emily Morison 70'), Northern Football 1 (Jane Barnett 58') HT: 0-0.
