Annie Jones, with ball, scored a hat-trick in Wairarapa United’s big win over North Wellington. PHOTOS/FILE
FOOTBALL
CHRIS COGDALE
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North Wellington 0
Wairarapa United 6
Tumu ITM Wairarapa United showed they’re one of the teams to beat in Wellington women’s division one after a second big win in two outings.
The win at Alex Moore Park, Johnsonville, was even more meritorious given that United were without several first-choice players, sidelined with covid-19, forcing coach Radha McGlashan to play some of the younger members of the squad, including 14-year-olds, and to take the field herself for half a game.
The unfamiliarity among the young players led to some early hesitancy, but once they gelled, United dominated the home side and took a 2-0 lead into the halftime break.
“They worked well together, but it took them a while to get into it. But definitely after they got the flow of things, it was quite good,” McGlashan said.
United increased the intensity in the second spell, scoring four goals for their second big win in two games.
Annie Jones, with a hat-trick, Romy Ifill, Vanessa Taylor, and Natasha Memelink all found the back of the net.
United have now scored 14 goals without conceding one from their first two games and lead the championship on goal difference from Wellington United Opals.
McGlashan said the confidence in the young team was “through the ceiling”, but she is keen to keep a lid on their enthusiasm and concentrate on working on their own game.
“There are a couple of games that they know are going to be a lot harder such as against Wellington United and Petone, but they’re definitely quite confident now, and it’s been a good start for them.
“Especially with these big wins, it’s where we can try and figure everyone out and work on the stuff that we need for the bigger, harder games.”
United’s next match is against Upper Hutt City Reserves at 2pm on Sunday at Trust House Memorial Park.
The home side will be the hottest of favourites to extend their unbeaten run, with Upper Hutt having been beaten 8-1 by Petone, and 2-1 by Wainuiomata Wildcats, who United thrashed 8-0 in the opening round.
