The Lotto Northern Premier Women's League title race took some unexpected twists and turns on the second weekend in July, with neither of the top two teams in the winner's circle - it's a wee while since that last happened! Reigning champions Auckland United were last held to a draw in this competition eleven months ago. It was Fencibles United who denied them victory on that occasion, and lightning struck twice at Keith Hay Park on Saturday as "Fencies" worked their socks off to earn a 1-1 draw. 'Twas the visitors who opened the scoring, albeit in controversial fashion, Ava Pritchard having clearly been fouled, only for referee Tanvir Bhamji to rule otherwise. Hayley Miller wasted little time in volleying home, but Fencibles' celebrations were short-lived, as just 75 seconds after that fifteenth minute opener, the league leaders were level, Penny Brill extending her nineteenth birthday celebrations by drilling home the equaliser through a crowded goalmouth. Having levelled the scores, the vast majority present expected Auckland to kick on and finish the job, as they've done so often during this remarkable run of form - they've won 72 of their last 81 matches! On this occasion, however, they didn't, a goal line clearance denying Alaina Granger in the 27th minute, while Saskia Vosper hit the post in the last minute, soon after Caelan Tremain had pulled off a quite fabulous save, flying to her left to deny Chloe Knott at full stretch. When the final whistle blew, Auckland felt like they'd dropped two points, but as things panned out 24 hours later, it turned out to be a point gained, because nearest challengers West Coast Rangers found themselves on the wrong end of a 5-3 defeat by a resurgent Eastern Suburbs at Fred Taylor Park. "The Lilywhites" got off to a flying start, Vicky Neuefeind exploiting an error by Rangers' new recruit, Tessa Berger - there's a blast from the past! - to rifle home the opening goal just fifty seconds after referee Pranil Gordhan had blown his whistle to start play. And the hits kept on coming, Neuefeind doubling Suburbs' lead via an absolute thunderbolt in the ninth minute, before Rangers squared things up with two goals in three minutes halfway through the half. Laney Strachan's thumping header did full justice to Emily Lyon's 22nd minute corner, while Lyon's through ball three minutes later sent Shannon Henson hurtling through Suburbs' offside trap. The league's leading scorer duly rounded Nikki Whyte before rolling home the equaliser into an empty net - 2-2. Suburbs came right back at their hosts, Joanne Paul producing a couple of fine saves before being beaten all ends up by Kenya Brooke's bullet header in the 33rd minute, a goal which restored the visitors' advantage. Back came Rangers, a clear handball being denied them before half-time by an official who … let's just say he was rather selective when it came to determining what was and wasn't legal and above board in this contest. His appointment to this game came as quite a surprise, because Mr Gordhan, for mine, isn't up to the standard of officiating required in a league which has so much at stake, a subject which has been expanded upon in previous round reviews. The second half wasn't quite as lively as the first, but the contest was settled by two superbly taken Jess Innes goals. The first, in the 64th minute, was a splendid near post from a cross by Charley March, who herself hit the post later in the half. The second - Suburbs' fifth, eight minutes later, was a stonking near post finish which did justice to a stunning first time cross on the run from Sofia Garcia, who was released down the right by Suburbs' new recruit, Taylor Anderson. Lyon's exquisite twenty-five yard chip wrapped up the scoring with virtually the last kick of the game, but Rangers didn't half miss their captain and defensive midfield fulcrum, Marissa Porteous, in

this contest. The old saying, "You don't know what you've got till you lose it", certainly rang true for the home team on this occasion, in more ways than one. Rangers are now four points behind Auckland - effectively five, given the title-holders' superior goal difference - with seven rounds remaining, but are ten points clear of their conquerors on this occasion, Suburbs consolidating their top four place with this impressive victory. Western Springs also strengthened their grip on a National Women's League spot after overpowering Tauranga Moana 4-1 at Links Avenue, where all but one of the goals was celebrated before the half-time whistle. Rina Hirano, Anna McPhie and captain Tiana Hill all struck in a fifteen-minute spell either side of the half-hour mark for "The Hoops", and while Miah Smith gave the home team hope before the interval, Kitty Jacob came off the substitute's bench to restore Springs' three-goal advantage nine minutes from time. With the third- and fourth-placed teams winning, the pressure was firmly on fifth-placed Ellerslie to follow suit at Michaels Avenue, and they didn't disappoint, humbling Hibiscus Coast 4-0 to keep alive their hopes of a top-four finish - they are four points behind Springs with the final third of the league campaign still to be played. As with Springs, so, too, "The Ponies", who scored thrice in an eleven-minute burst around the half-hour mark to put this one to bed. Abby Wright, Maddi Ollington and Danielle Grimmer all struck during this spell, with the prolific Ollington heading home her thirteenth goal of the season fifteen minutes from time. Which sets up next weekend's clashes very nicely. "The Ponies" welcome "The Hoops" to Michaels Avenue on Saturday afternoon, while "Fencies" and "The Lilywhites" square off in the East Auckland derby at Riverhills Park on Friday night. Also that evening, Rangers entertain "The Coasters" at Fred Taylor Park, while Sunday's fare sees Auckland heading to Tauranga for the third time in six weeks - a win for the visitors to Links Avenue will secure their place in this season's National Women's League. Details: Auckland United 1 (P. Brill (17)), Fencibles United 1 (H. Miller (15))  HT 1-1 Ellerslie 4 (A. Wright (25), M. Ollington (34, 75), D. Grimmer (36)), Hibiscus Coast 0  HT 3-0 Tauranga Moana 1 (M. Smith (38)), Western Springs 4 (R. Hirano (19), A. McPhie (26), T. Hill (34), K. Jacob (81))  HT 1-3 West Coast Rangers 3 (L. Strachan (22), S. Henson (25), E. Lyon (90)), Eastern Suburbs 5 (V. Neuefeind (1, 9), K. Brooke (33), J. Innes (64, 72))  HT 2-3 In a rescheduled Lotto Northern Women's Championship fixture, Franklin United came from behind to down Cambridge 3-1 at the Drury Sports Complex, where Bella Stark gave the visitors the lead halfway through the first half. The evergreen Marlies James had Franklin back on level terms ten minutes later, before half-time substitutes Chloe Marthe - great to see her back on the park scoring goals again - and Sarah Carpenter completed United's comeback. This Sunday, the spotlight falls on Gower Park as the top two go head-to-head once more, with leaders Melville United entertaining second-placed Onehunga Sports. McFetridge Park and Kiwitea Street play host to the other top four contenders as Franklin and Birkenhead United visit Northern Rovers and Central United respectively, while Cambridge head north once more, Onehunga-Mangere United's picturesque Mangere Domain home their destination. Details: Franklin United 3 (M. James (32), C. Marthe (49), S. Carpenter (85)), Cambridge 1 (B. Stark (22))  HT 1-1