Late comeback for Hamilton's Wanderers football club

Iona Love (right) battles for the ball against Papakura FC reserve side in the LottoNRFL league. Photo / Rob Young

Hamilton Wanderers kept themselves in the title race with a late 3-2 win over Papakura FC, in what is turning out to be one of the most tightly contested leagues in recent history.

Glenfield Rovers and Eastern Suburbs both sit level on 23 points, but behind them Forrest Hill, Hamilton Wanderers and Three Kings United are all level on 17 points.

Earlier in the day the Wanderers reserve side took themselves up to second place after a 2-0 win over Papakura's reserves.

Rain hammered the players as the game started which caused a scrappy first half affair, but in the second half the home side moved up a gear, scoring two quick goals.

Maddi Ollington back in the squad was able to beat the keeper from long range and put Hamilton 1-0 up.

The home team then went on to score their second in a team goal, with Iona Love picking out Lisa Evans with a ball any striker would dream of being on the end of, before Evans beat the Papakura keeper and secured the 2-0 win.

The reserves are six points behind the league leaders Forrest Hill but still have just over half a season to play still.

In the premier league game Wanderers opened the scoring through Ella Golding in the 30th minute, with the blues playing well and on track for another win.

Disaster struck for Wanderers in the 52nd minute as Sophie Leidh pulled one back for Papakura before Chelsea Elliot saw red for a last-man challenge leaving Wanderers with 10 players.

Marlies James scored from the resulting free kick putting Papakura FC 2-1 up over the home side.

In the 85th minute, after numerous attempts on goal by the Hamilton players, Helen Talbot finally drew Wanderers level again after Meripa Seumanutafa spilled Talbot's shot into the back of the net.

With minutes left on the clock, Kelli Brown was able to find space for a cross with the ball falling to Golding again, who fired Wanderers back into the lead and securing another win.