CHAMPIONS
Monday 14 September 2020
Words Dave Webster \ WUAFC Media
Photo TJF Photos
Have we done it? That was the call from the Diamonds players when referee Jamie Cross blew for full time at Ole Academy in the Diamonds game against Western Suburbs on Saturday. The answer was yes they had done it, won the W-League for the third year in a row that is.
This season was the closest race they've had in doing so. Going into the games on Saturday Diamonds had a three goal advantage over Palmerston North Marist. Diamonds were up against Western Suburbs a team that they have an average score of 7-0 in the six games the clubs have met since Western Suburbs were promoted to the W-League. Palmerston North Marist meanwhile had already relegated North Wellington at home.
Diamonds had a job to do and they were clinical about it, Dani Ohlsson opening the scoring in the ninth minute and a minute later Jemma Robertson got her 26th of the season which gives her the league golden boot, it also gives her the record of scoring in every game this season bar one (a 1-0 loss to Waterside Karori). Diamonds attack was relentless and in the 17th minute Dani Ohlsson's corner was met by Rosie Wild inside the six yard area who headed in her second goal of the season. Not to be outdone in defenders scoring, four minutes later Courtney Stone broke down the left wing and sent a cross in which evaded all Diamonds players but also Alina Santos in the Western Suburbs goal as it flew in to the corner at the far post. On the half hour mark Nat Olson got in on the act slotting in another great cross from Dani Ohlsson. That made the score 5-0 and that was the score going into the break.
Meanwhile in Palmerston North, Marist had a 3-0 lead over North Wellington. Coach Maika Ruyter-Hooley did well to keep her team away from that news and keep them concentrating on their game. She made two changes at half time, Captain Sarah Alder coming on after a few weeks out with injury to replace Fran Grange and Pepi Oliver-Bell replacing Nat Olson up front.
The clinical finishing off the first half seemed to desert United in the second half with several shots that would normally have been goals either going just wide or being hit straight at the keeper. Western Suburbs never really looked like threatening the Diamonds goal and keeper Moly Simons had a reasonably quiet day. Wests weren't helped by losing Macey Fraser to injury in the first half.
Pepi Oliver-Bell who is showing real promise to become a permanent member of the Diamonds front line netted the next two goals, both similar in execution beating meeting crosses, beating the defenders and placing the ball past the keeper. The last 20 minutes were rather nervy for those fans watching on the sideline, as Palmerston North Marist hit their stride and scored five goals in the last 20 minutes, so it was a relief when Oliver-Bell's second goal went in on the 90th minute.
It was quite an amazing finish really, both games ending 8-0. It was thanks to the three goal cushion that Diamonds had going into the game that the were crowned league champions for the third year in a row and the fourth time in five years.
Ends
MATCH DETAILS
Women's W-League
Ole Academy, Porirua
Saturday 12 September 2020
Wellington United Diamonds (5) 8 (Pepi Oliver-Bell 2, Dani Ohlsson, Jemma Robertson, Charlotte Wilford Carroll, Rosie Wild, Nat Olson, Courtney Stone)
Western Suburbs (0) 0
This season was the closest race they've had in doing so. Going into the games on Saturday Diamonds had a three goal advantage over Palmerston North Marist. Diamonds were up against Western Suburbs a team that they have an average score of 7-0 in the six games the clubs have met since Western Suburbs were promoted to the W-League. Palmerston North Marist meanwhile had already relegated North Wellington at home.
Diamonds had a job to do and they were clinical about it, Dani Ohlsson opening the scoring in the ninth minute and a minute later Jemma Robertson got her 26th of the season which gives her the league golden boot, it also gives her the record of scoring in every game this season bar one (a 1-0 loss to Waterside Karori). Diamonds attack was relentless and in the 17th minute Dani Ohlsson's corner was met by Rosie Wild inside the six yard area who headed in her second goal of the season. Not to be outdone in defenders scoring, four minutes later Courtney Stone broke down the left wing and sent a cross in which evaded all Diamonds players but also Alina Santos in the Western Suburbs goal as it flew in to the corner at the far post. On the half hour mark Nat Olson got in on the act slotting in another great cross from Dani Ohlsson. That made the score 5-0 and that was the score going into the break.
Meanwhile in Palmerston North, Marist had a 3-0 lead over North Wellington. Coach Maika Ruyter-Hooley did well to keep her team away from that news and keep them concentrating on their game. She made two changes at half time, Captain Sarah Alder coming on after a few weeks out with injury to replace Fran Grange and Pepi Oliver-Bell replacing Nat Olson up front.
The clinical finishing off the first half seemed to desert United in the second half with several shots that would normally have been goals either going just wide or being hit straight at the keeper. Western Suburbs never really looked like threatening the Diamonds goal and keeper Moly Simons had a reasonably quiet day. Wests weren't helped by losing Macey Fraser to injury in the first half.
Pepi Oliver-Bell who is showing real promise to become a permanent member of the Diamonds front line netted the next two goals, both similar in execution beating meeting crosses, beating the defenders and placing the ball past the keeper. The last 20 minutes were rather nervy for those fans watching on the sideline, as Palmerston North Marist hit their stride and scored five goals in the last 20 minutes, so it was a relief when Oliver-Bell's second goal went in on the 90th minute.
It was quite an amazing finish really, both games ending 8-0. It was thanks to the three goal cushion that Diamonds had going into the game that the were crowned league champions for the third year in a row and the fourth time in five years.
Ends
MATCH DETAILS
Women's W-League
Ole Academy, Porirua
Saturday 12 September 2020
Wellington United Diamonds (5) 8 (Pepi Oliver-Bell 2, Dani Ohlsson, Jemma Robertson, Charlotte Wilford Carroll, Rosie Wild, Nat Olson, Courtney Stone)
Western Suburbs (0) 0