The young WaiBOP side has fallen to defeat at home to 2018 champions, Canerbury United Pride.

Canterbury's captain, Rebecca Lake, headed home early to set the visitors up nicely, but for all their possession they couldn't add to their lead until after the break.

A combination of dogged defending and several quality saves from Georgia Candy helped keep Canterbury at bay.

Substitute, Britney-Lee Nicholson, doubled Canterbury's lead after half time, then two goals in the space of a minute with a quarter hour remaining finally broke WaiBOP's resistance. Nicholson grabbed a second, followed almost immediately by a goal from Tahlia Herman-Watt.

A late penalty, which was slid home by Macey Fraser, completed the job for the strong Canterbury side. 

Head coach, Nico Girard, was pleased with the discipline shown by his players and is looking forward to their continued development over the coming weeks. “We went in with a game plan and I think you could see that there was a bit of purpose to what we did,” he said.

“So there were some positives from that but there’s obviously some things we have to work on. We have an organised shape and the thing to work on in the future is to progress forward from that shape. The girls are quite resilient and I think they understand that we’re going through a process, which they’ve bought in to.” 

WaiBOP Line-Up: 1. Georgia CANDY (GK), 4. Caitlin BYRNE, 6. Annaliese HEUVEL, 7. Olivia HOOPER, 9. Emma SIZER, 10. Richlyn Tuhoro, 12. Shannon TREBES, 13. Paige MCCLOSKEY (15. Stella NEEMS 80'),14. Maddison OLLINGTON, 17. Grace WISNEWSKI, 19. Natasha REIRI (22. Rhiannon JONES 57').

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

Match images HERE.

Photo: Lawrence Gullery.