The Northern Lights continued their National Women's League momentum with a 3-0 victory over Loaded WaiBOP Football in the latest round.

The Gemma Lewis coached team opened the scoring in the 14th minute when NZ U-20 rep Dayna Stevens was played in nicely by Jane Barnett and she slotted home.

WaiBOP, who picked up their first win of the campaign last week with a 3-0 win over Central, battled hard but the Lights controlled the game.

Northern scored twice in the last 11 minutes to put the match to bed. The first came through Nicole Stratford in the 79th minute when Barnett delivered a cross from a short corner and Stratford headed home.

Minutes later, Stratford was in the thick of the action again. She put in a low cross into a dangerous area and WaiBOP’s Ashley Weld scored an own goal in the 89th minute.

Stratford said she was happy with the team’s performance as they controlled the game well. “We were patient in our build up and moved the ball forward well to get into scoring positions,” she said. “I think 3-0 was a scoreline which reflected how we played and we deserved it.”

WaiBOP's captain, Tiana Hill, was relatively upbeat after the match. "Overall it was a good performance from the girls. Obviously the loss hurts but how we come back from this is what's going to matter."

Northern Lights 3-0 WaiBOP (ht: 1-0)
NOR: Dayna Stevens, Nicole Stratford, OG.
WBP: none.

WaiBOP squad: 1. Georgia Candy, 3. Kate Williams (6. Jayden Watts), 7. Emma Cawte, 9. Helen Talbot (4. Olivia Hooper), 12. Kelli Brown, 13. Tiana Hill, 15. Grace Cox (22. Lauren Henry), 16. Grace Wisnewski, 19. Ashley Weld, 20. Chelsea Elliott (5. Chloe Henderson), 24. Shae Brady. Sub (not used): Rylee Godbold.

Photo: PhotoSport.