Onehunga-Mangere United took a giant stride towards securing their place in the 2026 Lotto Northern Women's Championship at Kiwitea Street on August 24, deservedly downing Central United 2-0 in the cellar-dwellers duel to climb into sixth place on the league table with two rounds remaining. Akhita Biju George opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the thirteenth minute, seconds after Central had been denied a spot-kick at the other end of the park, while within three minutes OMU skipper Dayna Dalhousie doubled their lead, heading home after Rose Meleisea could only parry a Briar Mortensen corner towards the far post. Central weren't without their chances in this Central Auckland derby, Isabella Cranefield spurning a glorious chance on the stroke of half-time after Danielle Halley and the tireless Anita Gross had carved open "The Scarlets"' left flank. But the home team didn't do enough to get something from this crucial fixture, one which sees the visitors all but certain of staying up after only being granted Championship status three weeks out from the start of the campaign, when Hamilton Wanderers withdrew from the competition. OMU's victory saw them climb above Northern Rovers, who bowed to Birkenhead United in Friday night's North Harbour derby, the home team prevailing 4-1 thanks in large part to Grace Chitty's second half hat-trick. Jaime Govind opened the scoring before her goal-hungry team-mate took centre stage, with Rovers substitute Izzy Lomax potting a stoppage time penalty for the beaten side, who are very much still threatened by successive relegations. Newly crowned champions Melville United overpowered Cambridge 3-0 at John Kerkhof Park, where Laura Bennett bagged a brace of goals in her personal pursuit of the Golden Boot. Young Ferns starlet Mia Humphrey also found the target in the second spell. Meanwhile, Golden Boot leader Britney Cunningham-Lee was on target as Franklin United overcame Onehunga Sports 2-0 in the battle for second place at the Drury Sports Complex. Chloe Marthe was also on target for the South Aucklanders, who seem set to claim the runners-up spot for the second successive season. Next Sunday's action again sees the spotlight on Central. If they fail to beat Cambridge at Kiwitea Street, their goose may well be cooked. Meanwhile, Rovers need a result against "The Green Machine" at McFetridge Park. Elsewhere, Melville and Birkenhead meet at Gower Park on a day Franklin head to Mangere Domain to take on "The Scarlets". Details: Birkenhead United 4 (J. Govind (54), G. Chitty (67, 70, 90)), Northern Rovers 1 (I. Lomax (90 pen))  HT 0-0 Central United 0, Onehunga-Mangere United 2 (A. Biju George (13 pen), D. Dalhousie (16))  HT 0-2 Cambridge 0, Melville United 3 (L. Bennett (10, 68), M. Humphrey (69))  HT 0-1 Franklin United 2 (B. Cunningham-Lee (21), C. Marthe (51)), Onehunga Sports 0  HT 1-0