Title hopefuls Southern United have put themselves back in the running for a berth in the National Women’s League final, taking advantage of the inactivity of Auckland to move into third on the table after a 3-0 home victory over WaiBOP.

Each member of the top three recorded a win this weekend, the Canterbury United Pride continuing to prove they will take some budging from top spot while the Northern Lights are still snapping at their heels after also picking up three points.

But it’s Southern who will be most satisfied with their work as they look to make the final for the first ever time. They were expected to take maximum reward as WaiBOP, who have picked up only one victory so far, came to Dunedin and they did so in straightforward style. 

Southern were two goals to the good after a first half bookended by strikes to Renee Bacon and Amy Hislop before the job was completed late on by Emily Morison. 

While the win leapfrogs Southern over 2017 champions Auckland, they are still two points behind second-placed Northern after the Lights accounted for Capital 2-0 in Wellington. 

For WaiBOP, the search for a winning formula goes on.

WaiBOP Line-Up: 1. Georgia CANDY (GK), 3. Rachel MAJOR (9. Emma SIZER 74'), 4. Caitlin BYRNE, 6. Annaliese HEUVEL (2. Lisa EVANS 46'), 7. Olivia HOOPER, 8. Chloe HENDERSON, 12. Shannon TREBES, 14. Maddison OLLINGTON, 15. Stella NEEMS (13. Paige MCCLOSKEY 70'), 17. Grace WISNEWSKI, 22. Rhiannon JONES (11. Adi-Grace MOOAR 46').