The stakes for teams at the top and bottom of their respective league tables are heating up as we get closer and closer to the end of the season. Each game now means more than the last, with fewer and fewer points available to win. Which teams will be able to stay strong, and which teams will crumble under the pressure? 

Here's what you need to know from an action-packed weekend of football.

(DRAWS) LOTTO NRFL - Women's Conference - League One - Northern League 

 

 

 

The LOTTO NRFL Men's Championship has now become very close at the top of the table as East Coast Bays failed to pick up any points for the second week in a row.  While Tauranga City, Mt Albert Ponsonby, Ngaruawahia United and North Shore United took the opportunity to catch up by all securing victories and three points. 

 

*Total Games 22

Franklin United continue their undefeated streak so far this season and earn a valuable three points from Mohammed Shah's 90th-minute goal.

Elsewhere fellow league challengers Bucklands Beach saved a point from their game against Albany United through an 82nd-minute goal from Sander Waterland.

(Technical error on the table below, Remove a loss from Franklin and a win from Bucklands Beach) 

*Total Games 16

Waikato Unicol and Cambrdige both picked up victories this weekend which may be the expected start to this wrap-up for the next couple of weeks, until they face each other on the 26th of August.

Cambridge had the harder challenge of overcoming third placed Taupo, who previously were joint top.

* Total Games 21

NRF League One proved to be the same outcome for the top teams this week, both Te Atatu and South Auckland Rangers came away with convincing wins.

Next week's battle between the two may just decide the winner of the competition. South Auckland Rangers will take the advantage going into the tie, only needing a draw to be crowned champions if they were to win their last two games of the season. Where Te Atatau will be looking for all three points to put the league in their hands. 

Ranui Swanson 2

Papatoetoe 5

Te Atatu 3

Papakura City 0

Uni-Mount Bohemian 1

South Auckland Rangers 6

*Total Games 15

 Western Springs secured national league qualification on Friday night after their 1-1 draw with Auckland United. Auckland United opened the scoring late in the first half through Talisha Green (44'), only for Western Springs to find an equaliser through Sofia Garcia (62') in the second half.  

*Total Games 14

Fencibles United's slip-up on Friday gave the opportunity for Onehunga Sports to go top of the table. Onehunga Sports capitalized on this opportunity, coming out victorious against Franklin United through a double from Alice Hansen (37', 90').

This weekend's results may just have made the final battle between Onehunga Sports and Fencibles United in the last round of the completion, the game to decide the season. 

*Total Games 21

In the NRF Womens Conference, league leaders Birkenhead United came away happy with a 3-0 win. What would have put an even bigger smile on their face was seeing Metro had drawn to Beachlands Maraetai 2-2. This now puts Birkenhead United in charge of their own destiny. Meaning if they win all of their games from now on, they will be crowned champions. 

Birkenhead United 3

Greenhithe 0

Metro 2

Beachlands Maraetai 2

Onehunga Mangere United 1

Bay Olympic 0

*Total Games 21

Northern League giants and league challengers Auckland City and Eastern Suburbs went head to head in a game that could have separated both teams at the top. The result was a draw leaving both teams playing high stake games each and every week heading into the final rounds of the competition. 

Elsewhere in the battle for fourth place, the last position for National League qualification. Manurewa have gained a four-point buffer after defeating Hamilton Wanderers 4-1. Also aiding them was Western Springs failing to pick up maximum points over West Coast Rangers.

Manukau United 0

Takapuna 2

West Coast Rangers 1

Western Springs 1

Bay Olympic 1

Melville United 1

Manurewa 4

Hamilton Wanderers 1

Eastern Suburbs 2

Auckland City 2

Birkenhead United 0

Auckland United 3

7:30pm | 9/8/23

Takapuna vs Eastern Suburbs (Nth Hbr Stadium 3)

Birkenhead United vs Manukau United (Shepherds Park)

Hamilton Wanderers vs Auckland City (Porritt Stadium)

*Total Games 22

Follow LOTTO NRFL: 

Facebook      Instagram      Twitter

Follow Nothern Region Football: 

Facebook      Instagram      Twitter 

Image: phototek.co.nz

Article added: Monday 07 August 2023