Loaded WaiBOP had been stunned by Central two days ago after a last-gasp goal handed them a 1-0 defeat but they exacted revenge in Palmerton North today. A Kelli Brown hat-trick finally earned WaiBOP's first three points of the season.

WaiBOP was the only team yet to win a match after the disappointing defeat to Central and were determined not to let the long weekend pass without putting that right.

Striker Brown had joined Canterbury’s Fraser in being selected for the U-17 World Cup last week and celebrated her call-up in fine style, taking home the match ball as WaiBOP lifted themselves above Central on goal difference.

The hat-trick heroine’s first strike arrived midway through the opening period after an initial shot was tipped onto the bar by Amelia Simmers and Brown followed up to fire into the roof of the net.

She had her second on the stroke of half-time when cutting in from the right and finding the top corner to give WaiBOP a two-goal buffer their dominance had warranted.

Central swapped goalkeepers with just under 20 minutes remaining as Simmers made way for Carina Flannagan and one of the newcomer’s first acts was to pull off a great save. But, unfortunately for her, Brown was on hand to again meet the rebound and put WaiBOP out of sight.

Emma Cawte and Chelsea Elliott were also impressive for WaiBOP on a day their promising recent performances finally realised something tangible.

Central 0-3 WaiBOP (ht: 0-2)
CEN: none.
WBP: Kelli Brown 3.

WaiBOP Squad: 1. Georgia Candy, 3. Kate Williams (6. Jayden Watts), 7. Emma Cawte, 9. Helen Talbot (14. Richlyn Tuhoro), 12. Kelli Brown (8. Stella Neems), 13. Tiana Hill, 15. Grace Cox, 16. Grace Wisnewski (5. Chloe Henderson), 19. Ashley Weld, 20. Chelsea Elliott, 24. Shae Brady (4. Olivia Hooper).

Photo: PhotoSport.