WaiBOP returned from their first away match of the 2019 National Women's League season with the sweet smell of victory in their nostrils. In a battle involving two teams that had previously failed to get off the mark, WaiBOP took three points from Central after a 5-2 triumph.

Like the other round 3 matches, there was also plenty of net-bulging in Palmerston North, where WaiBOP became the day’s only side to record a win. The 5-2 scoreline suggests it was comfortable in the end, but the visitors were certainly made to work hard to get there.

WaiBOP’s Grace Wisnewski and Central’s Natalie Olson swapped early goals before Annaliese Heuvel pounced on the stroke of half-time for the visitors to alter the team talks of both coaches.

WaiBOP responded positively to whatever Nico Girard had said, Wisnewski striking again on th hour to give her side a two-goal cushion. In keeping with the dramatic nature of the day, Central got themselves back into the game when Torijan Lyne-Lewis tucked away a penalty with around a quarter of an hour remaining.

Any hopes Central had of completing a stirring comeback soon faded as WaiBOP struck twice in the final ten minutes. There was a second fore Heuvel while a late effort from Shannon Trebes made sure of WaiBOP’s first points of the campaign. 

In other matches, Southern United and Northern Lights shared ten goals in a 5-5 thriller, while Capital and Auckland drew 3-3.

WaiBOP Line-Up: 1. Georgia CANDY (GK), 4. Caitlin BYRNE, 6. Annaliese HEUVEL (18. Kaylee OOSTHUYSEN 90+3'), 7. Olivia HOOPER, 9. Emma SIZER, 10. Richlyn Tuhoro, 12. Shannon TREBES, 14. Maddison OLLINGTON, 16. Maddy WILLIAMS (15. Stella NEEMS 68'), 17. Grace WISNEWSKI (13. Paige MCCLOSKEY 61'), 19. Natasha REIRI.

Sub (not used): Amy HARRISON (RGK).

Match images HERE.

Photo: Photosport.