Two goals in two minutes either side of the half time break have helped secure WaiBOP's first win of the 2020 ISPS Handa Women's Premiership. The goals, allied to a stoic defensive effort and a star turn in goal from WaiBOP's Ryley Godbold, ensured the home team upset title chasing Northern Lights.

Kelli Brown lashed the ball home with virtually the last kick of an enthralling, even first half, then Emma Cawte struck with an angled drive following a set piece only moments after the restart.

Half time substitute, Talisha Green, halved the deficit for the visitors soon after, then Northern upped their intensity as they pressed forward in search of a result.

Unlike the first half, where WaiBOP had kept the Lights largely at arms length, the Northern threat became real and intensified as the match wore on.

But WaiBOP, led impecably by captain, Michaela Foster, and supported by solid efforts from centre backs, Chelsea Elliott and Shannon Trebes were often stretched but never broken. Godbold put in an assured performance between the sticks, getting a solid hand on several goal bound efforts and commanding her defence with a great level of maturity.

It was, however, the desperate determination not to be beaten that finally gave WaiBOP a win against one of the top sides, making up in some small part for the frustration of the previous couple of results.  

WaiBOP 2-1 Northern Lights (ht: 1-0)
WB: Kelli Brown (45'), Emma Cawte (47').
NL: Talisha Green (51').

WaiBOP squad: 1. Ryley GODBOLD (GK), 2. Mania ELLIOTT, 5. Michaela FOSTER, 7. Emma CAWTE (11. Olivia HOOPER 90+3'), 9. Kelli BROWN, 10. Grace WISNEWSKI (17. Caitlin BYRNE 84'), 12. Shannon TREBES,16. Maddi OLLINGTON (3. Serena MURRIHY 70'), 18. Lisa EVANS, 19. Kate MCCONNELL, 20. Chelsea ELLIOTT. Subs (not used): 6. Sarah CARPENTER, 21. Aimee FEINBERG-DANIELI. 

Watch a full replay here.