In 2000, Lynn-Avon went from strength to strength under the guidance of Gary Jenkins. Convincing Bluebird Northern Premier League championship winners - they had clinched the title with three games still to play, United overcame their nemesis, Three Kings United, in the Women’s Knockout Cup semi-final, and went on to defeat Wairarapa United by a record margin of victory - 6-0 - in the final.
Their hopes of completing the “Grand Slam” for a second time had already been dashed, however, as just three days prior to the WSANZ Knockout Cup Final, Three Kings turned the tables on Lynn-Avon in the Auckland Premier Women’s Knockout Shield Final, recording the first-ever penalty shoot-out win at this stage of the competition in what was the fifth consecutive clash between these clubs in the Auckland Knockout final.
A core group of players have been at the heart of Lynn-Avon’s Premier Women’s team since its inception in 1993, with the majority of the side having played together over the last six seasons.
Captain (and club secretary) Terry McCahill is the sole survivor since that first season, although it's only in the last couple of years that Jill Corner, Lyn Pedruco and Angela Vujnovich have stepped aside. Patrice Bourke, Dana Heiford and, until her departure part-way through the 2000 season on a scholarship, Alisse Robertson, are other long-serving team members at the Ken Maunder Park club.
Their efforts in wearing the red of Lynn-Avon with pride have been complemented by a group of players who have either joined or come through the grades within the club in the last three seasons or less, namely Jennifer Carlisle, Amanda Crawford, Julie Houghton, Rebecca Parkinson, Melissa Reber, Melissa Wileman and Yvonne Vale.
In 2001, a crop of highly promising youngsters were introduced to the fray, and the likes of Amber Hearn, Hayley Moorwood, Rachel Doody, Melissa Ray and Kirsty Yallop are players of whom you can expect to hear much in the coming years.
Lynn-Avon's grip on the Uncle Toby's Women's Knockout Cup was prised loose at the end of the season by Ellerslie, who inflicted upon the 2001 Northern League champions a 1-0 defeat in the country's showpiece women's fixture at club level - the first time the final had featured two teams from Auckland, the traditional power base of New Zealand women's soccer.
The pair clashed again in the 2002 final, with Lynn-Avon prevailing on penalties at the conclusion of an epic scoreless draw. A few weeks later, United completed the double by winning the league once again - the second time in the team's ten-year history they have won the championship three years running.
The efforts of coach Bob Limb were recognised by his receipt of a Bank of New Zealand Badge of Gold Award, an award which recognises the people behind our champions, those who provide what it takes for others to achieve sporting success.
|